UK Student Discounts: How to Save Money on Food, Travel, and Entertainment

12-May-2025

Pollstereducation

Study Abroad

UK Student Discounts: How to Save Money on Food, Travel, and Entertainment

Smart Ways for International Students to Stretch Their Budget

Studying in the UK is exciting but can also be expensive. The good news? As an international student, you can access hundreds of discounts on everything from travel and food to shopping and entertainment. Whether you're in London, Manchester, or Edinburgh, student discounts help you save big while enjoying a great lifestyle.

In this blog, we'll walk you through how to unlock student discounts, the best platforms to use, and top money-saving tips for living smart in the UK.

Who Qualifies for UK Student Discounts?

You’re eligible for student discounts in the UK if:

You are enrolled in a full-time or part-time course at a recognised institution
You possess a valid student ID
You have access to verified student discount platforms (we’ll list those below)

Yes, international students qualify too — you just need your university email or ID.

1. Must-Have Student Discount Cards & Platforms

TOTUM Card (formerly NUS Extra)

Official UK student discount card by the National Union of Students
Costs around £14.99/year
Offers discounts on clothing, tech, food, travel, and events
Can also double as proof of age (TOTUM + ID)

Popular Discounts with TOTUM:

Co-op: 10% off groceries
Boots: Exclusive student offers
ASOS: Up to 10% off

UNiDAYS

A free app and website for students
Requires a valid university email
Offers instant access to hundreds of brands

Top UNiDAYS Deals:

Apple: Up to 10% off
Nike: 10% off
Samsung: Student pricing
McDonald’s: Free items with a meal purchase

Student Beans

Similar to UNiDAYS and also free
Great for fashion, tech, and subscriptions

Featured Brands:

Domino’s: 35% off
Dell: Up to 20% off
Amazon Prime Student: Free 6-month trial

16–25 Railcard (for Travel)

Get 1/3 off rail fares across the UK
Cost: £30/year or £70 for 3 years
Pays for itself in just 2–3 long-distance journeys

International students aged up to 30 can qualify if they’re full-time students.

2. Food & Grocery Discounts

Supermarkets

Co-op: 10% off with TOTUM
Iceland: Discount codes via Student Beans during promotions
Morrisons & Tesco: Clubcards help you earn rewards

Restaurants & Cafés

McDonald's: Free McFlurry or cheeseburger with meal (UNiDAYS)
Domino’s Pizza: Up to 50% off (Student Beans or UNiDAYS)
PizzaExpress, Nando’s: 20–30% off during weekdays
Pret a Manger: Loyalty app gives you free coffee offers

Tip: Always ask for student discounts before ordering — many outlets offer unadvertised deals.

3. Travel Discounts for Students

National Rail

Use the 16–25 Railcard for 1/3 off all train tickets
Combine it with Split Ticketing to save more

Local Public Transport

Oyster Card (London): Get 30% off weekly/monthly travel passes with your Student Oyster ID
Bus Passes in Other Cities: Student fares available with proof of enrolment

International Travel

STA Travel (or partners): Student-friendly flight fares
ISIC Card: International Student Identity Card for global discounts
FlixBus, Megabus: Student rates for travel around the UK and Europe

Book early, travel mid-week, and use apps like Trainline for cheaper tickets.

4. Shopping, Clothing & Tech Deals

Fashion

ASOS: 10%–20% off year-round (UNiDAYS or Student Beans)
H&M, New Look, Boohoo, PrettyLittleThing: 10%–25% off
Zara, Primark: No official discount but check in-store promotions

Tech & Electronics

Apple Education Store: Save up to £280 on MacBooks or iPads
Microsoft Store: Up to 10% off for students
Adobe Creative Cloud: 65% off student subscription
Amazon Prime Student: 6 months free + 50% off Prime thereafter

Always compare prices using tools like PriceSpy or Honey browser extension.

5. Entertainment & Leisure Discounts

Cinema

ODEON, Vue, Cineworld: Student tickets are 20%–40% cheaper
Check for student membership cards or “student nights”

Music & Subscriptions

Spotify Student Premium: £5.99/month (includes Hulu in some offers)
YouTube Premium, Apple Music: Half-price student subscriptions

Books & Magazines

Waterstones, WHSmith: Up to 10% off
Amazon Kindle Unlimited: Discounted trial for students

6. Apps That Help You Save More

App	Purpose
UNiDAYS	Student deals across brands
Student Beans	Exclusive codes for tech, fashion, food
Too Good To Go	Get restaurant food at 70% off
Trainline	Cheap train tickets & Railcard integration
Split Ticketing	Saves money by breaking rail journeys
Monzo/Revolut	Budgeting & student-friendly banking

Tips to Maximise Your Savings

✅ Always carry your student ID or digital verification
✅ Sign up for multiple platforms (UNiDAYS, Student Beans, TOTUM)
✅ Use browser extensions like Honey to auto-apply coupons
✅ Check your university portal — many offer local deals
✅ Plan group outings to access bulk discounts or offers
✅ Subscribe to newsletters for flash sales

Student Discount FAQs

Can international students apply for the 16–25 Railcard?

Yes, if you’re studying full-time in the UK and under 30.

Is it worth buying a TOTUM card?

Yes, if you frequently shop, eat out, or need age verification — it pays off quickly.

Do you need a UK bank account for student discounts?

Not always, but it helps with subscriptions like Spotify, Amazon, etc.

As an international student in the UK, you don’t have to stretch your budget to the limit. From discounted meals and travel to reduced prices on laptops and fashion, student discounts are everywhere — if you know where to look.

So go ahead, enjoy the UK student lifestyle without overspending. A little planning, the right apps, and your student ID can go a long way!

Study hard, save smart, and make the most of your UK adventure.