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Student discounts

Student Discounts: How to Save Money as a UK Student

Being a student in the UK can be financially challenging, especially with rising costs of tuition, accommodation, food, and transport. Thankfully, there are thousands of discounts and offers available exclusively to students, covering everything from fashion to food, tech to travel.

This guide breaks down the best UK student discounts available today, how to access them, and tips to maximise your savings while you study.

How to Get Access to Student Discounts

Most UK student discounts are available only to those with verified student status. You can prove this through:

  • A university email address ending in .ac.uk

  • A student ID card

  • Registering with a student discount platform

Platform Features Cost
UNiDAYS Free access to fashion, tech, food, and more Free
TOTUM (NUS Extra) In-store and online discounts, ID card option From £14.99/year
Student Beans Instant student verification, exclusive codes Free
ISIC (International) Global student ID and travel discounts From £12/year

Sign up on these platforms with your student email and you’ll be verified quickly, usually within minutes.

Top Fashion & Clothing Student Discounts

Many clothing brands offer ongoing student discounts that can be used online and sometimes in-store. These usually range between 10–25% and occasionally increase during student events or seasonal sales.

Brand Discount Notes
ASOS 10% – 20% Via UNiDAYS or Student Beans
Nike 10% Register and verify on their site
H&M 10% App sign-up required
Boohoo 20% Often stacks with sale
PrettyLittleThing 15% – 25% Frequent limited-time boosts
New Look 10% Valid with student ID in-store too

Always apply discount codes at checkout and double-check whether the offer stacks with sale items.

Technology & Electronics Discounts for Students

Tech purchases are often the biggest expenses for students. Fortunately, major brands offer deep student discounts on laptops, tablets, software, and accessories.

Retailer/Brand Discount Key Offers
Apple Up to 10% off + free gifts Apple Education Store
Microsoft Up to 10% on devices Microsoft Store for Education
Samsung Up to 25% with Student Beans Includes tablets and phones
Dell Up to 20% Student Store login required
Adobe Up to 65% off Creative Cloud Annual commitment needed
Spotify + Hulu + Showtime £5.99/month bundle For verified students via Spotify Student

Apple’s Back to School deal often includes free AirPods or gift cards—check the Apple UK Education Store for current offers.

Food & Grocery Student Savings

Saving money on food is a top priority for most students. From eating out to grabbing a quick snack, discounts can quickly add up.

Outlet Discount Access
McDonald’s Free item with purchase Use TOTUM or Student Beans
Greggs Free sausage roll or drink with app Requires in-app signup
Domino’s Up to 50% off Through Student Beans or UNiDAYS
Co-op 10% off groceries With TOTUM card
Deliveroo Free delivery (via Plus) 1-year student trial
HelloFresh 50% off first box + 25% for 2 months For new users with .ac.uk email

Loyalty apps can also lead to free items or exclusive deals.

Student Travel Discounts

Whether you’re commuting to uni or heading home for the holidays, student travel cards and discounts can significantly reduce transport costs.

Card/Provider Discount Type Cost
16–25 Railcard 1/3 off rail fares £30/year or £70 for 3 years
National Express Coachcard 1/3 off coach travel £12.50/year
Student Oyster Card 30% off adult-rate Travelcards For London students
Stagecoach Local bus student tickets Discounted fares with ID
Santander Railcard Offer Free Railcard with student account Open a Santander student bank account

Apply early in the academic year to make the most of your savings throughout term time and holidays.

Gym, Fitness & Lifestyle Discounts

Staying active doesn’t have to break the bank. Many gyms, health apps, and wellness platforms offer lower rates for students.

Service Student Offer Notes
PureGym Up to 30% off Student Beans access
The Gym Group £0 joining fee + discounted plans Some sites offer local student deals
Headspace 85% off yearly plan Mindfulness & meditation app
Calm 50% off annual plan Through Student Beans or email verify

Also check your university gym—many offer term passes at a fraction of commercial prices.

Banking and Finance Student Perks

Opening the right student bank account can get you extras like free travel cards, interest-free overdrafts, and cashback on spending.

Bank Perk Notes
Santander Free 4-year Railcard + £2000 overdraft Widely considered best value
HSBC £100 welcome bonus + £3000 overdraft High overdraft but lower perks
NatWest Free Tastecard + £100 Frequent food discounts
Nationwide £100 bonus Smaller overdraft allowance

Extra Tips to Maximise Student Discounts

  • Stack offers when possible – e.g., student discount + sale + cashback

  • Use cashback websites – sites like TopCashback offer extra returns on top of student deals

  • Join university societies – many come with discount cards or exclusive partner offers

  • Watch for student events – UNiDAYS and TOTUM host flash sale events several times a year

  • Use browser extensions – like Honey or Pouch to auto-apply discount codes

Final Thoughts

Student discounts are a valuable lifeline when you’re living on a tight budget. From laptops to late-night takeaways, the potential savings are massive if you know where to look. The key is to sign up to the right platforms, verify your student status, and always search for a deal before making a purchase.

By combining student discounts with smart shopping habits, you can stretch your money further and make university life more affordable—without missing out on the essentials or the fun.

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