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Best student discounts in the UK: The ultimate guide to how to get them in 2024
As the new academic year looms and living costs rise, hitting students particularly hard, we’ve gathered the best student discounts in the UK from top apps and websites. Whether you’re a new or returning student this September, this guide, spanning from tech deals to dine-out discounts, ensures worthwhile savings.
Update23/04/2024, 14:44
Each year retailers make changes to their student discount schemes so we’ve updated our guide with all the most recent information. Find the best student discounts from the likes of Apple, Asos and Spotify.
It’s almost time for the next academic year to start and with the cost of living only going up, hitting students especially hard, we’re here to help. We’ve scoured the top student discount apps and websites to bring you a list of the best student discounts in the UK right now. Whether you’re a new or returning student this September you’ll be sure to find something worthwhile. This guide will cover everything from how to get a good deal on your new laptop to ordering a takeaway for less.
- How to get a student discount
- Student discount apps
- Making the most of student discounts
- Fashion
- Tech
- Amazon Prime
- Food & Drink
- Travel
- Entertainment
- Health, Beauty & Fitness
We have a great video on student discounts on our YouTube channel, you can check it out below, be sure to give that a watch for all you need to know about saving money as a student.
How to get a student discount
The majority of student discounts nowadays are accessible only through certain apps and websites. Unidays, Student Beans and TOTUM are the main student discount networks. Each network has its own exclusive discounts and offers for a wide range of products and services.
Of course, to get student discounts you have to be a student and must prove you are either by showing your student ID for in-person discounts or logging into your university portal online.
Student discounts are available to all students in the UK whether you are enrolled in a British or foreign university, as long as you can prove your student status.
- Choose a student discount network
Sign up to a student discount network such as Unidays, Student Beans or TOTUM.
- Create an account
Enter in your details.
- Prove your student status
You will be asked to prove you are a student such as with your university student email address.
- Browse the discounts
Once you’ve passed the student status check you will have your own account to browse many student discounts, many of which are exclusive.
- Choose a discount
Click on the discount you want and usually the code will be shown or directly applied to the checkout already.
- Redeem the discount
Head to the website and shop away, then paste your code in the box provided at the checkout if it wasn’t done automatically.
Student discount apps
In university, every penny counts. Between textbooks, rent, and maintaining a social life, students constantly find themselves on a tight budget. Thankfully, there are several websites and apps in the UK that recognise this struggle, leading to the wonderful world of student discounts.
This segment of our Ultimate Guide is designed to navigate you through this labyrinth of budget-friendly options, focusing on the most popular student discount apps and cards available – Student Beans, Unidays, and TOTUM.
Each of these platforms boasts an impressive array of discounts across sectors from fashion to food, tech to travel. Stick around as we reveal how you can stretch your student budget further by leveraging these fantastic resources.
Student Beans
Student Beans is an exciting free-to-use platform that offers a wide range of student discounts and deals. This is probably the best student discount app out there, it’s easy to use, free and the discounts listed are mostly only for students.
Signing Up
Getting started with Student Beans is easy. You need to register on their website or mobile app using your academic email address. Then, you will need to verify your student status to access and use the discounts.
Best For
Student Beans shines when it comes to food and drink deals; but, it also provides plenty of discounts on fashion, health, beauty, and tech.
Pros
- Completely free to use
- Generous discounts
- User-friendly mobile app that can also act as a digital student ID for discounts in stores
Cons
- Some deals are UK-specific and cannot be accessed internationally
- The frequency and amount of discounts may vary depending on the brand and time of year
UNiDAYS
Unidays is a hugely popular online platform offering extensive discounts aimed at students. By partnering with a wide array of brands across sectors, it provides students with both online and in-store discounts. Although Unidays is mainly for students some of the discounts listed on their site can also be used by anyone. This means it has more of a general deals website kind of feel.
Signing Up
To access these discounts, simply register on the Unidays website or mobile app using your educational institution-provided email address. An email confirmation ensures you are currently enrolled, after which you can start enjoying savings.
Best For
Unidays is particularly known for impressive discounts on popular fashion, beauty, tech, and sport brands. Some popular brands include Apple, ASOS, Nike, and Gymshark.
Pros
- Free to use
- Loads of brand partnerships
- Great selection of discounts (student & general)
- Most offers are easily redeemable online
- Easy-to-use mobile app
Cons
- Not all discounts are applicable in-store
- Some offers may be exclusive to certain regions or countries
- Not all discounts are student discounts
TOTUM
NUS offers the NUS Extra card which is now known as TOTUM, which provides students with a plethora of deals. Unlike other student discount schemes, some types of TOTUM student discount card UK require a paid subscription. But there is a free option for regular university students.
Signing Up
To get your hands on a TOTUM card, you have to be a member of NUS. Visit their website, provide your academic credentials, choose a subscription type although some require you to pay a fee, and receive the card in the post.
Best For
The NUS Extra or TOTUM card is a great tool for getting discounts on entertainment, groceries, and transportation. It also includes an International Student Identity Card (ISIC), providing benefits internationally.
Pros
- Free option for students
- Wide range of deals (high street and independent shops)
- The card works both in the UK and abroad, providing numerous options to save money.
- Not just for students, also full-time workers & apprentices
- Get a free Tastecard and Coffee Club membership when you sign up.
Cons
- Some must subscribe and pay a fee
- Not so many online deals
- Some brands may not accept the card in-store.
Making the most of student discounts
Being a student can lead to tough financial decisions and having to budget everything yourself for the first time. That’s why we’ve broken down all the best student discounts we could find into fashion, tech, food, travel, entertainment and health, beauty and fitness.
So if you’re stressing about affording some new outfits for fresher’s week or wondering what on earth you’re going to eat since you’re cooking skills leave a lot to be desired, just keep reading!
Fashion
There are plenty of student discounts for all of your favourite fashion brands and shops, here are some of the best ones available right now that we’ve found:
- 15% off at Converse
- 10% off Asos student discount
- 15% Adidas student discount
- 25% Pretty Little Thing student discount
- 10% Foot Locker student discount
- 20% New Look student discount
Tech
If you’re wanting to get your laptop upgraded before you start the next term so you don’t end up with it breaking on you mid-essay, there are plenty of student discounts for laptops. Not only limited to laptops but also other tech such as mobile phones, contracts and Apple products can be bought for less using exclusive student discounts.
- Up to 40% HP student discount
- 10% off DELL Laptops for students
- 20% O2 student discount
- 15% off Vodafone
- Up to 20% Samsung student discount
- 15% Huawei student discount
Apple
If you’re looking to get your hands on a new iPhone or iPad don’t forget to make the most of Apple’s student discount. You have to be signed up with Unidays as the discount is only accessible via their app or website. Students get exclusive discounts. We even have an awesome video on how to save on your next Apple purchase.
Amazon Prime
Amazon always comes in handy as a student, if you need something delivered last minute then Amazon has got you covered. Whether it’s a textbook or some new homeware for your student flat, students alike rely on Amazon for all their whims and needs.
Amazon Prime is half price for students, coming in at just £4.49 per month so about the price of a coffee nowadays – that’s a bargain hard to argue with. Not only is it very affordable with this student discount Amazon Prime UK offers a 6-month free trial just for students. Here are some of the perks that includes:
- Prime Video: ad-free streaming of 15,000+ films and shows
- Prime Music: ad-free streaming of 100+ million songs
- Fast Delivery: one or same-day delivery
- Prime Photos: unlimited photo storage
- Exclusive discounts: such as 15% off National Express Coaches and 10% off textbooks
- All usual Prime benefits
Food & Drink
In between deadlines and nights out, who has time to be cooking? That’s where student discounts for restaurants and takeaways come in handy. We’ve put together a list of our favourites:
- 50% off at Domino’s for students
- Up to 25% off for students at Pizza Express Sunday to Friday
- 60% student discount at Hello Fresh on your first box and free dessert for life
- 25% student discount at Popeyes
Travel
Since most students are working on a tight budget some travel companies do offer discounts unique to students such as railcards or other general discounts. Travelling home for the holidays or Christmas shouldn’t cost you an arm and a leg, so be sure to make the most of these travel student discounts UK students can use:
Railcard
Without a doubt the best way to save on travelling within the UK is to buy a railcard, you pay a fee for the card then it will give you huge discounts of a third off all train tickets.
A railcard doesn’t only save you a third off of off-peak train tickets across the country but also on London Underground and Docklands Light Railway services in London. All you have to do is link your railcard to your Oyster card and the discount will be automatically applied to off-peak travel.
A 16-25 Railcard is available to anyone within the age range and not just for students, mature students can also apply for this railcard if they are in full-time education. The railcard is £30 for a year or £70 for 3 years. This is a great investment and you will likely save the money you spent on the railcard within a few journeys.
For example, a return journey from London to Manchester in September costs you around £103.90, it’s ridiculously expensive. No student budget would be able to regularly pay out over £100 for a 2-and-a-half-hour train ride.
However, students can save a third off fares with a railcard so the tickets would cost £68.55 not over £100. In only one journey you’re saving £35.35.
This already means you’ve got your £30 for your railcard back and have saved an extra £5.35 – in one journey! Just think of how much you’d save when you’re having to travel home for the holidays and then back to university for the next term. Not to mention going for a holiday or to a festival with your mates and the usual travelling around we all do in one year.
Our advice would be: never buy a railcard at full price! There are almost constant deals and railcard discount codes ranging from a third off to 50% off the price.
Usually, railcard discounts are offered usually by Trainline, Trip or Trainpal. Since there are always regular discounts and deals posted here at hotukdeals, be sure to check them out before buying. Here are some of the best student railcard deals right now:
- Trip is offering a Digital Railcard for 3 years for only £46.20. Simply sign up for one via their app and enter the code RCD001 at the checkout. Be sure to book a train ticket within 6 months of purchase to validate your railcard.
- Santander offers a free 4-year 16-25 Railcard to those who open a student account with them saving you on average £199 a year, so if you’re a new student this September and looking to open a student account it’s a no-brainer.
Interrail
Enough about travelling within the UK, what about student discounts for a proper holiday? If you fancy backpacking around Europe for the summer, make the most of Interrail student discounts.
Interrail offer special discounts for people aged under 27. The company responsible for making travelling in Europe by train simple has special Youth tickets, meaning you save up to 25% on standard ticket prices. With their 4-day ticket, you can travel on 4 days of your choice within a month for only £171, with adult tickets costing £227 it means you’ll save £56.
This ticket would allow you to visit up to 4 countries of your choice within a month. There are also tickets for longer durations so keep this in mind for when you’re planning what to do in the next summer holidays!
Entertainment
Studying all day and partying all night – that’s the student life. There are plenty of ways you can save money on events, theme parks, nights out and streaming your favourite songs.
When it comes to streaming pretty much every platform offers a student discount, with some even being half the standard subscription price.
Music Streaming
Choosing the right streaming platform to subscribe to can take a lot of time and effort browsing the web. That’s why we have compiled everything into a handy guide on the best streaming services making your decision easier to make. You can compare the prices, all the specs and which streaming platforms offer free trials.
- Spotify offers a student discount making it only £5.99 for students
- Tidal Student HiFi £4.99 only
- Apple Music Student £5.99
- YouTube Music Premium only £4.99
- Amazon Music only £5.99 for students
Days out
Adventure awaits with our range of student discounts for days out. Entertainment, exploration, and excitement should never be compromised because of a student budget. This section highlights deals from attractions to theme parks, outdoor excursions to nights out. Enjoy enriching experiences and create unforgettable memories, all while saving with these exclusive student discounts. Make the most of your student life with affordable fun.
- Alton Towers student tickets for £21
- 35% student discount on online Thorpe Park tickets £5.99 for students
- 10% student discount at Hollywood Bowl
- Up to 35% student discount at the London Eye
Health, Beauty & Fitness
Balancing academics, personal life, and your health can be challenging for students. In this section, we’ve put together the top student discounts on health, beauty, and fitness services. Find exclusive deals to help you maintain your well-being and feel great, all without straining your budget. Enjoy these tailored discounts designed to cater to your lifestyle needs!
- 45% Bluk student discount
- 30% off 12 month memberships at The Gym Group
- 15% off The Perfume Shop for students
- 20% VisionExpress student discount
- 57% student discount at Myvitamins
FAQs
What are the major retailers in the UK that offer student discounts?
The top retailers when it comes to offering student discounts are definitely the likes of Asos, Pretty Little Thing, Amazon, Domino’s and Apple. Each offer huge discounts with some even up to 50% off for students.
How can I apply for student discounts in the UK?
You just need to sign up to a student discount network such as Unidays, Student Beans or TOTUM.
What types of student discount cards are available in the UK?
Nowadays most student discounts are online so Unidays and Student Beans don’t give out cards instead you have your online student ID for online and in-store discounts. TOTUM, formerly NUS Extra, still offer a student discount card as well as other discount memberships for a fee.
What are the criteria to be eligible for student discounts in the UK?
You just have to be enrolled as a student, abroad or in the UK it doesn’t matter. Some student discounts are also applicable generally to people under the age of 25, as well as to people in apprenticeships or other hands-on training courses such as in the NHS. It’s always best to check the terms and conditions of every deal as you never know if you may still be eligible.
Can international students get student discounts in the UK?
Yes, whether you are an international student enrolled in the UK or elsewhere you can also make the most of student discounts. There’s also an International Student Identity Card that can be bought for £12 if you’re worried about proving your student status and it gives you access to exclusive discounts too.
We hope our selection of the top student discounts out there right now helps to save some cash in the coming academic year so you can focus on the important things, studying and learning – or rather partying and enjoying yourself.
For all the best student discounts UK students can find, we have a page dedicated to just that. Be sure to keep up with all discounts and deals posted by our community here at hotukdeals.
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