One of the best things about becoming a student is your student card and those all-important discounts. Chances are that your friends and family will be asking to go on shopping trips with you every day of the week, hoping to take advantage of your money-offs, freebies, prize draws, and more - but do you really know how to make the most of your student status?
Once you’ve completed your assignments and spent time with friends, the last thing you’re going to want to do is to sift through the internet looking for a coupon code off your next ASOS shop. Fear not: below, we’ve put together everything you need to know to save big…
First up, make sure you carry your student card with you at all times and consider signing up for an NUS Totum card, which is £14.99 per year and offers discounts at more than 250 big retailers like Boots, Samsung, National Express, GAME, ODEON, and PizzaExpress. If you’re shopping in a university town or city, you’ll also likely see signs and stickers in shop windows promoting student discounts, make sure it’s in your purse for those impulse buys.
You’d be surprised at just how many retailers offer a student discount, so when you’re at the checkout, ask them! Independent retailers also get in on the trend from time to time, so don’t be afraid of flashing your card and seeing what happens. Oh, and it works for independent online retailers, too; whether you’re buying shoes or a new car, Google their student discount policy, and ask for an educational discount if buying software - it’s often as much as 50% off.
One of the biggest student discount portals is MYUNIDAYS - as well as offering free Apple TV+ when you buy Apple Music and up to 20% off your phone bill, you’ll find offers such as 20% off your first JustEat order, 10% of Superdry, and limited-time coupons, like 20% off Ann Summers orders, so check back regularly and open the app before you buy anything online.
You’re going to want access to your .ac.uk email address for the best student discounts, like Apple’s annual Back to School promotion, where you get a discount off a Mac or iPad and a free pair of Beats headphones to boot. All UK universities offer online portals where you can access your assignments and emails, so jot it down and add it to your bookmarks ASAP.
Though not true for every retailer, most companies allow discounts to stack. If BoohooMEN is running a 40% off sale, you’ll be able to get 40% off your new clothes and an additional 10% student discount on top, leading to some serious savings. Shop around for offers, head to the sale and outlet sections of websites, and remember that coupon codes will work, too! Oh, and if you’re an NHS student, you’ll be able to take advantage of Blue Light Card offers.
Across the UK, retailers, and malls get together to host exclusive retail experiences just for students; you’ll need to register in advance and bring your student discount to benefit. One of the biggest is Student Shopping UK, which hosts an annual Freshers’ Student Shopping Nights, where you can save at retailers who don’t typically participate in student discounts. The hardest part is budgeting and knowing when enough is enough - don’t blow your loan!
It’s hard to say no when you’re offered discounts of up to 40% when shopping, but always do your research to make sure you’re getting the best deal - and don’t buy for the sake of it! We recommend shopping around, planning big purchases in advance, and then using a student discount to get the very best value for money. Whatever you end up buying, happy shopping!
