Students in the UK often face significant financial pressures, from tuition fees to the rising cost of daily living. Fortunately, a wide array of free resources, software, memberships, and even food is available to help alleviate these burdens. This guide, compiled exclusively from verified sources, details the types of freebies and discounts accessible to students, focusing on practical, actionable information without speculation or external assumptions.
The concept of "free stuff" for students encompasses several categories: educational software, professional memberships, open-access textbooks, and even complimentary food and drink. Eligibility for many of these offers typically requires a valid student ID or a university-issued .edu email address. The following sections break down the available opportunities based on information from authoritative sources.
Free Software and Technology
One of the most valuable free resources for students is access to premium software. Many technology companies offer free or heavily discounted versions of their products to students, recognising the importance of these tools for academic work and skill development.
A comprehensive list of companies providing free software to students includes: - Adobe Education: Offers discounted plans, such as 64% off Creative Cloud Pro. - Autodesk: Provides a free annual subscription for students. - Atlassian: Makes its server software products and Atlassian-made apps free for use by students in a classroom setting. This is for software development, project management, and content management. - Axure RP: Offers its software for free to students. The software is described as a powerful tool for planning, prototyping, and handing off to developers without code. - Canva for Students: Access to design tools. - Codecademy: Offers 35% off Codecademy Pro. - Figma: Free Figma for education. - GitHub: Provides a free Student Developer Pack, which includes learning resources for coding. - Google Workspace for Education: Free access to productivity tools. - JetBrains: Offers a free all-products pack for students who have a .edu email address, which includes an award-winning suite of developer tools. - Lucidchart: Diagramming and visualisation software. - Microsoft 365 Personal: Free for 12 months, then 50% off. - Microsoft Education Discounts: A broader set of discounts from Microsoft for students. - Notion: Free Personal Pro for students. - MSC Software: Specific engineering software. - On the Hub: Discounts of up to 90% off. - Overleaf: A LaTeX editor for academic writing and collaboration. - Tableau: Free access to Tableau for Students. - Google Gemini Pro (Students): Access to Google's AI tools. - GitHub Copilot: Available via the GitHub Student Pack. - DigitalOcean Credits: Available via the GitHub Student Pack. - AWS Educate: Credits for Amazon Web Services. - Google Cloud Student Credits: Credits for Google Cloud Platform. - Microsoft Azure $100 Student Credits: Credits for Microsoft's cloud services. - MongoDB Atlas Student Credits: Credits for database services. - Vercel Pro for Students: Access for deployment and hosting. - Netlify Education Program: Similar to Vercel. - Railway Student Discount: Discount on hosting. - Namecheap Free Domain + SSL: Available via the GitHub Student Pack. - Cloudflare Student & Developer: Access to Cloudflare's services.
Furthermore, students can obtain Windows 10 Education for free, which includes built-in security features and ongoing updates. For those in need of hardware, Computers with Causes provides refurbished computers to people in need, including students. Eligibility and application details are available on their website.
A practical tip is to check with your university's IT department. Many universities hold large seat licenses for expensive software, allowing students to use it at no cost, similar to borrowing a book from the library.
Free and Open Educational Resources (OER)
Textbooks are a major expense for students. Open Educational Resources (OER) provide a valuable alternative to costly commercial textbooks.
- OER Commons: Offers free openly licensed textbooks and supplementary resources. It features a digital library where students can browse collections to find textbooks they need.
- The Orange Grove: Florida's Open College Education Resource, which provides free textbooks. While based in Florida, the resource is accessible online.
Free Professional Memberships
Students can gain free membership to several professional organisations, which offer benefits like access to job boards, mentoring, and networking events. These memberships are typically for students studying for a specific career.
- The American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (AICPA): The world’s largest membership association for the accounting profession. Student Affiliate membership is free and provides access to tools and resources.
- The American Planning Association (APA): The largest membership organisation for professional planners. Student membership is free.
- The National Society of Professional Engineers: Offers free membership to students.
- The Society of Petroleum Engineers: Promotes knowledge exchange in the upstream oil and gas industry and provides free membership to students.
Free Food and Drink Opportunities
Students can access free food and drink through various methods, including showing a student ID, joining loyalty programmes, or using specific apps.
- Chick-fil-A: Reports suggest that students can get a free drink with their meal by showing their student ID. The brand also has a rewards app, "One," where students earn points redeemable for free food and birthday rewards.
- University-Specific Free Food: Many universities distribute free food at least once a week. Students can find these opportunities by checking with teachers, college social media accounts, and website calendars.
Free Memberships and Gift Cards
Beyond software and professional bodies, students can access free memberships and earn gift cards through specific platforms.
- Museum Memberships: Some museums offer free admission to students from certain universities with a valid college ID. Examples include the Guggenheim Museum and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), though access is restricted to select institutions.
- Drop App: This app allows users to earn points by linking debit or credit cards and making purchases. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Netflix, and Starbucks. The app is available for Android and iOS devices.
Government Support and Eligibility
For students facing financial hardship, government support programmes can open doors to additional resources. Eligibility for these programmes often depends on location and specific criteria, such as being from a low-income household or participating in existing federal assistance programmes. Details on these programmes can be explored through platforms dedicated to student benefits.
How to Access These Offers
The process for obtaining free resources and discounts generally follows a few steps: 1. Check Eligibility: Determine if you meet the criteria, which often requires being a current student with a valid ID or .edu email address. 2. Submit Application: Apply through the official website or portal of the brand or organisation offering the freebie. 3. Activation: Once approved, the offer or discount typically becomes active instantly.
It is important to note that offers are often limited to one per person or as specified in the programme's terms and conditions.
Conclusion
A significant volume of free resources is available to students in the UK and beyond, spanning software, educational materials, professional development, and even daily sustenance. The key to accessing these opportunities lies in knowing where to look and understanding the eligibility requirements. Students are encouraged to explore official university resources, such as IT departments and social media channels, and to verify offers directly with the providing brands or organisations. By leveraging these freebies, students can substantially reduce their academic and living costs.