College life in the United Kingdom involves significant financial considerations, from tuition fees to daily living expenses. Fortunately, there are numerous opportunities for students to access free products, services, and financial support. These range from software subscriptions and educational resources to food assistance and retail discounts. By leveraging official university programmes and corporate student offers, individuals can significantly reduce their outgoings. This guide outlines the verified freebies and assistance programmes available to students, focusing on practical ways to secure essential items without cost.
Educational Software and Digital Resources
One of the most valuable categories of free resources for students involves educational software and digital tools. Many major technology companies offer premium versions of their productivity suites to eligible students at no charge.
Microsoft Office 365 Education Students at eligible institutions can access Microsoft Office 365 Education for free. This package includes essential applications such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams. To qualify, students typically need a valid college or university email address to verify their status through the official Microsoft education portal.
Google Workspace for Education Google offers a free, web-based suite of productivity tools known as Google Docs Editors, which includes Google Sheets. This service is widely used by students and educational organisations to manage coursework and improve productivity. Unlike some proprietary software, these tools are generally available to anyone with a Google account, though educational institutions may provide enhanced features through their own Google Workspace for Education domains.
JetBrains All Products Pack Software development students can benefit from the JetBrains All Products Pack, which is available for free to students with a .edu email address. This award-winning suite includes a range of developer tools. Students are also advised to check with their university’s IT department, as many institutions hold site licenses for expensive software packages that allow students to borrow licenses much like library books.
Tableau Tableau offers free software access to students. While specific eligibility criteria were not detailed in the source material, this offer is designed to help students learn data visualisation software.
Textbooks The cost of textbooks represents a significant expense for students. While the source material mentions the availability of free college textbooks, it does not provide specific details on how to obtain them. However, university libraries often stock required reading materials, and students should inquire about borrowing options or digital access to academic journals.
Retail and Service Discounts
Various retailers and service providers offer exclusive discounts or free trials to students who can verify their enrolment.
Amazon Prime Student Amazon offers a six-month free trial of Prime Student. This trial provides access to free shipping on millions of items, Prime Video originals, Amazon Music, Prime Reading, and other benefits. After the six-month trial period, students are automatically enrolled in a Prime membership at 50% off the regular rate for the duration of their studies, provided they remain eligible.
The Washington Post Students who sign up for the six-month free trial of Amazon Prime Student also gain access to a six-month subscription to The Washington Post online at no additional cost.
Banking Services Several financial institutions offer fee-free banking to students. Companies such as Chase Bank, Chime, and Discover allow college students to open checking accounts with no minimum opening deposit or balance requirements. While these specific banks are US-based, UK students should look for similar student bank accounts offered by UK high street banks, which typically offer interest-free overdrafts and other perks.
Museum Admissions Some museums offer free general admission to students from specific universities upon presentation of a valid student ID card. The Guggenheim Museum and The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) are cited as examples of institutions that provide free entry to select college ID holders. While these are US institutions, many UK museums offer similar concessions to students.
Food and Drink Assistance
Food costs are a major concern for many students. Assistance is available through government programmes, campus resources, and retail loyalty schemes.
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) In the United States, eligible students may qualify for SNAP benefits (food stamps) if they meet specific enrolment, financial, and work requirements. This programme provides funds to purchase groceries. Note: This information relates to US policy. UK students facing financial hardship may be eligible for Universal Credit or university-specific hardship funds, though these are not detailed in the provided source material.
Campus Food Resources Many colleges provide free food opportunities through various channels: - Student Organisations: Clubs often provide free snacks to encourage attendance at meetings. - Campus Events: Free lunches or dinners are frequently offered during events, such as guest lectures or departmental gatherings. - Food Pantries: Some universities operate food pantries for students in need. Students should contact their university’s student affairs office to inquire about availability. - Hydration: Universities often provide bottle-filling stations across campus, allowing students to refill water bottles for free.
Restaurant Loyalty Programmes Retail chains sometimes offer perks to students. For example, Chick-fil-A is reported to provide a free drink with a meal when a student ID is presented. Additionally, the Chick-fil-A One app allows users to earn points towards free food and birthday rewards. Note: While Chick-fil-A has locations in the UK, specific UK offers were not confirmed in the source material.
Financial Rewards and Cashback
Students can generate savings or earn money through online platforms and apps.
Survey and Task Platforms Several websites reward users for completing surveys or simple tasks: - Survey Junkie: Users earn points for surveys, redeemable for PayPal cash or gift cards (e.g., Amazon, Target). - FeaturePoints: Points are awarded for surveys, trying free apps, and online shopping. Rewards include gift cards for retailers like Amazon, Xbox, and GameStop, or PayPal cash. - Swagbucks: Offers rewards for watching videos, taking surveys, and other activities. New users may receive a sign-up bonus. - KingOpinion: Pays for survey participation. - Earn Haus: Pays up to £20 per survey (assuming USD/GBP conversion), with same-day payments via PayPal or Venmo.
Cashback and Shopping Rewards - Rakuten (formerly Ebates): Provides cashback (up to 40%) at over 2,500 online stores. Users can also find coupons and promo codes. Payments are made via PayPal or check. New users can often claim a sign-up bonus (e.g., £10 Rakuten Cash Bonus or a £10 Walmart gift card). - Drop: Links to debit or credit cards to automatically earn points when shopping. Points can be redeemed for gift cards to retailers like Amazon, Netflix, and Starbucks.
HealthyWage This platform allows users to bet on their weight loss goals. If the goal is achieved, HealthyWage pays cash prizes up to $10,000. Note: This is a US-based service.
Physical Goods and Campus Perks
Beyond digital services and financial rewards, students can access various physical items and amenities through their universities.
Bed Linens Dorm directors or resident assistants may have bed sheets available for students to borrow, eliminating the need to purchase them.
Gym Memberships Campus gyms are typically free for enrolled students to use. This perk usually expires upon graduation, encouraging students to utilise the facilities while they can.
Sports Event Tickets Colleges often allow students to attend sporting events for free with their student ID. This serves as both entertainment and a break from academic work.
University Swag Universities frequently distribute branded merchandise to foster school pride. Students are encouraged to collect free t-shirts, hats, pens, and drawstring backpacks when offered.
Student ID Photos Tools like Passport Booth can be used to generate a free digital photo suitable for a student ID. The photo can then be printed at a low cost at a local store.
Peer-Reviewed Journals University libraries usually provide subscriptions to academic journals, allowing students to access peer-reviewed articles for coursework at no extra cost. Access details are typically available through the library website or by consulting with professors.
Conclusion
The landscape of student freebies encompasses a wide array of offers, from essential digital tools like Microsoft Office 365 to financial incentives provided by survey platforms and cashback sites. While many specific retail offers (such as those from Chick-fil-A or US-based museums) may be geographically limited, the core categories of support—university-provided software, campus amenities, and educational resources—are widely applicable. Students are advised to verify the availability of specific offers with their institution’s IT or student affairs departments and to maintain a valid student ID to access these benefits.