Saving for Students in the UK: Discounts and Deals

Living in the UK can be expensive for students, but thankfully, student discounts can help save money on many essentials and extras like council tax, travel, technology, food, health and beauty and more.

This guide will introduce you to the most important categories as well as popular discount cards, where to find deals, and other tips to save money.*

The big one - Council Tax

In the UK, full-time students are eligible for a council tax exemption or discount, offering significant financial relief during their studies. To qualify, you must be enrolled in a full-time course lasting at least one year. Part-time students, however, may not qualify for this exemption but could be eligible for discounts depending on their circumstances.

If you live in a household where everyone is a full-time student, the property is completely exempt from council tax!

For homes with a mix of full-time students and non-students, the property may still qualify for a discount. For example, if there's only one non-student adult, they can receive a 25% discount on the council tax bill.

Students must apply for this exemption or discount through their local council, providing proof of their full-time student status, typically through a certificate provided by their educational institution. This discount can significantly reduce living costs, making student life more manageable.

Student bank account

Students in the UK can benefit from opening a student bank account, which often comes with an overdraft facility at 0% interest rate, which can be a financial lifesaver during your studies.

Additionally, many banks provide incentives such as railcards, online subscriptions, or cashback offers to attract students.

It's important to compare the different features and benefits of student bank accounts from various banks and to read the terms and conditions carefully to fully understand the benefits and any potential fees or charges.

Travel

Travelling around the UK is a significant aspect of student life, particularly for those studying away from home or keen on exploring. Fortunately, there's a variety of student travel discounts available to make this more affordable.

The 16-25 Railcard is essential for students frequently using trains, offering a 30% reduction in rail fares. This card becomes even more valuable in London, where it can be linked to an Oyster card to secure a 34% discount on off-peak travel.
For students residing in London, the 18+ Student Oyster photocard provides a 30% discount on all Transport for London services, including the Underground, buses, and trams, provided you're living in London during term time and attending a participating university.
The National Express Young Persons Coachcard is another beneficial option, offering a third off full-price National Express coach tickets for individuals aged 16-26. This card is particularly cost-effective for long-distance travel.
Megabus and TransPennine Express also cater to student budgets, offering 10% and 50% discounts, respectively, on travel. These discounts make visiting friends or exploring new cities more accessible.

There’s more to gain elsewhere too:

Cross Country Trains for your train fairs.
STA Travel for global travel deals.
Student Universe for discounted flights, hotels, hostels, and tours.

Remember to always carry your student ID and any discount cards with you to make sure you can get the discounts easily.

Technology, software and subscriptions:

In the UK, students can access a wide array of discounts on technology, media, and entertainment, which can significantly reduce expenses. Here's a concise overview of some key providers and the discounts available:

Apple for Education: Up to 10% off on Macs and laptops, 5% on iPads.
Adobe Creative Cloud: 65% off services for creative software.
Microsoft Office: Free access with academic email ID.
Samsung: Discounts of 10% to 40% on electronics like phones and appliances.
Dell: Up to 20% off on products for students.
HP: Up to 40% off on laptops.
Lenovo: Up to 20% off on laptops and computers.
JBL: Up to 20% off.
Acer: Up to 15% off.
Canon: Up to 10% off.

Media and Entertainment Discounts

YouTube Premium: nearly half the regular price for ads-free watching
Amazon Prime Student: 6-month free trial, then discounted rate.
Spotify Premium: 50% off membership for students.
Odeon Cinemas: 25% off tickets.
Cineworld: Reduced price tickets for students.
The Guardian: 80% off digital subscriptions.
Apple Music: £4.99 a month for students.
Virgin Experience Days: 20% off activities.
The Financial Times: 50% off annual subscription.
The Times/Sunday Times: Discounted monthly subscription.
The Economist: 75% off annual subscription.
The Telegraph: Annual subscription for £25.

Mobile Discounts

Vodafone: 10% off selected price plans.
O2: 20% off Airtime Plan with O2 Refresh.
EE: 20% off contract plans, plus free Apple Music and BT Sport for a period.
3 mobile: 50% off for first six months on unlimited data tariffs

Ensure to check each provider’s terms and eligibility criteria to access these discounts.

Food and groceries

Here's just a short list of some providers offering student discounts:

Domino’s Pizza: Get 50% off pizza, plus check Domino’s own deals for potentially better offers.
McDonald's: Ongoing various promotions depending on season and location
KFC: Free popcorn snack bucket with a student ID.
Burger King: Many offers, like free Chicken or Veggie Royale with any purchase.
Taco Bell: 15% off your order with a student ID.
Pizza Express: 33% off in-store and delivery, except on Fridays and Saturdays.
ASK Italian: 40% off your total food bill on Mondays and Tuesdays, 25% off on Wednesdays, Thursdays, and Sundays.
Gourmet Burger Kitchen (GBK): 25% off for students with the GBK app.
Las Iguanas: 25% off your total bill, including drinks, from Sunday to Thursday.
TGI Fridays: 20% off food and drink.
Byron Burger: 30% discount from Sundays to Wednesdays.
Chiquito: 25% off the total order with two or more main dishes.
Greggs: Free sausage roll or sweet treat when you buy any cold sandwich deal.
The Cooperative: 10% off groceries.
Deliveroo: Free delivery, perfect for those lazy or hungover days.
AllBarOne: 20% off your total bill, great for cutting the cost of cocktails.
Yo! Sushi: 20% off on a valid bill.

Health and beauty

In the UK, students can enjoy a variety of discounts on health and beauty products, making self-care and wellness more affordable. Here's a list of some of the best discounts available for students in health and beauty sectors:

Boots: 10% discount with a Boots Advantage Card.
Superdrug: 10% discount year-round.
MAC Cosmetics: 10% discount.
Bobbi Brown: 10% discount.
Clinique: 10% discount.
e.l.f. Cosmetics: 15% discount.
Gillette: 10% discount.
The Fragrance Shop: 15% discount online.
Toni & Guy: 20% discount from Monday to Thursday.
bareMinerals: 15% discount.
Birchbox: 50% discount on the first box.
MyProtein: Up to a 37% discount.
Philips: 15% discount.
Boots Opticians: 25% discount on the first pair of glasses or prescription sunglasses, 50% off every additional pair.

Tips to Save More

Popular Discount Cards and Online Codes

To access countless student savings, consider getting some of the most popular student discount cards. Here are some valuable options:

1. NUS Discount Card: Costs £12 a year and offers significant savings.

2. UNiDAYS: A free app providing discounts in stores and online.

3. TOTUM: Supported by the National Union of Students, it starts at £12 a year for deals on dining, shopping, and more.

4. International Student Identity Card (ISIC): Offers discounts in over 130 countries, perfect for international students.

5. Student Beans: Another free website for accessing a wide range of discounts.

Top Websites and Apps for Student Discounts

In addition to the popular cards and platforms mentioned, here are top websites and apps that offer great student discounts in the UK:

Save The Student: Offers advice on saving money and lists current student deals.
Student Money Saver: Features a variety of student deals and discounts.
Student Pocket Guide: Provides tips and discounts tailored to student life.
Amazon Prime Student: Offers special deals and discounts for students, including free shipping.
Student Discounts - NHS discounts: Specifically for students looking for NHS-related discounts.
StudentDiscount.co.uk: A comprehensive site for finding student discounts across different categories.
Grabble: An app that curates daily fashion deals, including student discounts.
TOTUM: Also one of the top websites for student deals, thanks to its wide range of offers.

Also remember:

Carry your student ID to avail in-person discounts.
Download discount apps to easily access food and shopping discounts.
Explore local entertainment options for student pricing.
Regularly visit student discount websites for the latest deals.

By utilising these resources and tips, you can make the most of student discounts in the UK. Remember to regularly check these websites and apps, as new deals are constantly being added, helping you to stretch your student budget further.

* Please note that the discounts and offers listed below are provided for orientation purposes only and are subject to change. We do not take responsibility for the current accuracy or validity of this information. It is strongly recommended to verify the latest terms and conditions directly with the provider before making any decisions.