Student life often involves careful budgeting, and many brands and service providers recognise this by offering exclusive freebies, trials, and discounts. This guide details the types of no-cost offers available to students in the UK, covering software, entertainment, food, and retail, based on information from promotional and informational sources. It is important to note that offers are frequently updated, and eligibility may require verification of student status through official channels.
Free Software and Digital Tools
Several major technology companies provide free access to their software for students enrolled at eligible institutions. These offers typically require a valid student email address or proof of enrolment.
- Microsoft Office 365 Education: Students at eligible institutions can receive Office 365 Education for free. This package includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams. Access is granted by signing up with a college email address.
- Google Workspace for Education: Google offers a suite of free, web-based tools including Google Sheets, Docs, and Slides. Many educational organisations utilise these services, and they are available to students without cost.
- Spotify Premium for Students: Students can access a one-month free trial of Spotify Premium. Following the trial period, the subscription is offered at a discounted monthly rate. This plan often includes additional perks like access to Hulu and Showtime in some regions.
- YouTube Premium: A one-month free trial of YouTube Premium is available to students, providing ad-free video viewing. After the trial, the service continues at a reduced monthly fee.
- LastPass Premium: Students can obtain a free six-month membership to LastPass Premium, a password management service that syncs across unlimited devices.
- JetBrains: Students enrolled in accredited educational programmes can gain free access to JetBrains tools for learning or teaching coding.
Entertainment and Media Subscriptions
Beyond software, students can access discounted or free entertainment subscriptions, including streaming services and publications.
- Amazon Prime Student: Eligible students can get Amazon Prime for free for six months. This includes free two-day shipping on millions of items, unlimited streaming of Prime Video, and other benefits. After six months, the membership continues at a discounted rate.
- The Washington Post: When signing up for Amazon Prime Student, students also gain access to six months of free online access to The Washington Post.
- Peacock Premium: A student discount is available for Peacock Premium, offering a reduced monthly price for 12 months.
- SiriusXM: Students can get a discounted rate for SiriusXM streaming, with an introductory offer of three months for a nominal fee followed by a reduced monthly rate.
- SoundCloud: A 50% discount on SoundCloud Go+ is available for students.
- Apple Music: Students can subscribe to Apple Music at a reduced monthly rate, which includes a free subscription to Apple TV+.
Food and Drink Perks
Several food and beverage chains offer student discounts or freebies, though availability can be region-specific. It is always advisable to check with a local outlet or the company's website for current promotions.
- Chipotle: Students can receive a free drink with their food purchase by presenting a valid student ID.
- Chick-fil-A: The Chick-fil-A One rewards app allows customers to earn points on purchases, which can be redeemed for rewards and birthday perks. Students can inquire about potential freebies by showing their ID.
- Subway: The MyWay Rewards programme allows customers to earn tokens for each pound spent, which can be redeemed for £2 rewards, free food, and drinks.
- Pocket Points App: This app rewards students for not using their phones during class. Points can be redeemed for discounts and freebies at participating local and online businesses, including smoothie chains, cookie shops, and pizzerias.
- Local University Resources: Many universities provide free food at events. Students are advised to check college social media accounts, website calendars, or ask teachers about these opportunities.
Retail Discounts and Clothing
A wide range of clothing and retail brands offer student discounts, often verified through platforms like UNiDAYS or Student Beans. These platforms confirm student status, usually via a university email or login.
- Discount Platforms: UNiDAYS and Student Beans are commonly used by brands to verify student status and provide exclusive discounts. Student Advantage is noted as no longer selling memberships, with these platforms taking its place.
- Clothing Brands (Examples): Discounts vary by brand and are subject to change. Examples from promotional sources include:
- Adidas (up to 15% off)
- ASOS (10% off)
- boohoo (up to 30% off)
- Converse (20% off)
- Dr. Martens (15% off online)
- Kate Spade (up to 75% off via UNiDAYS)
- Levi’s (up to 15% off full-price items)
- Nike (up to 10% off on most items)
- The North Face (20% off)
- Toms (15% off)
- Goodwill: Some local Goodwill stores offer promotion days with discounts for students, teachers, and seniors (e.g., 30% off on Wednesdays).
- Pottery Barn Teen: A 10% discount is available when using a .edu email address or showing a valid student ID.
Professional Memberships
Students in specific fields can often obtain free memberships to professional organisations, which provide access to job boards, mentoring, and networking events.
- American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA): Student Affiliate membership is free and provides access to tools and resources.
- American Planning Association (APA): Free membership is available to students.
- National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE): Offers free membership to students.
- Society of Petroleum Engineers: Provides free membership to students studying relevant disciplines.
Financial Services and Accounts
Some financial services and banking apps offer accounts with no monthly fees or minimum deposits, which can be beneficial for students.
- Current Card: A digital banking experience with a payment account and debit card. It offers fee-free withdrawals at 40,000 Allpoint ATMs in the United States.
- Chime Account: A digital banking app with no monthly service fees or per-transaction charges. The only fee mentioned is for out-of-network ATM withdrawals.
Important Considerations for Students
When seeking freebies and discounts, students should keep several points in mind:
- Verification: Most offers require proof of student status, typically through a university email address, a valid student ID card, or an official verification platform like UNiDAYS or Student Beans.
- Region-Specificity: Many offers, particularly those from food chains and local businesses, are highly region-specific and may not be available in all locations.
- Terms and Expiry Dates: Promotions often have specific terms, conditions, and expiry dates. It is crucial to read the fine print and confirm the details directly with the provider before relying on an offer.
- Reliability of Information: Deals and discounts change frequently. While promotional lists are helpful, they should be used as a starting point. Always check the official brand website or contact the outlet directly for the most current and accurate information.
Conclusion
Students in the UK have access to a variety of freebies and discounts across software, entertainment, food, retail, and professional development. These offers are designed to alleviate some of the financial pressures of student life. The key to accessing these benefits is verifying student status through official channels and staying informed about the specific terms and availability of each promotion. By utilising the resources and platforms mentioned, students can effectively find no-cost offers that suit their needs and interests.