University life in the United Kingdom involves significant financial commitments, from tuition fees to daily living expenses. To alleviate this burden, numerous companies and platforms offer exclusive freebies, discounts, and trial programmes specifically for students. This article provides a detailed overview of the types of free products, services, and financial benefits available to students in the UK, based on verified information from official sources and recognised student discount platforms. It covers software, food and drink, entertainment, and retail offers, while also outlining the eligibility criteria and access methods.
Understanding Student Discount Platforms
The primary method for accessing a wide array of student benefits in the UK is through verified digital platforms. These services confirm a student's status and provide access to hundreds of brand offers. The two most prominent platforms mentioned in the source data are UNiDAYS and Student Beans.
UNiDAYS is a free digital platform that provides exclusive student deals and benefits to its verified audience. It secures discounts on top brands across categories such as fashion, travel, food, and technology. To join UNiDAYS, a current student must register with a personal email address and verify their student status. This verification process grants access to deals for 12 months, after which status must be re-verified. No physical student ID card is required; the UNiDAYS iD is used for in-store purchases at partnered retailers.
Student Beans is another free service used to confirm student status, often providing an alternative or complementary set of discounts. Similar to UNiDAYS, access typically requires logging into a university account or using a university email address to verify enrolment. Once confirmed, students gain access to discounts and cashback rewards. The source data notes that Student Advantage discount memberships are no longer being sold, with Student Beans and UNiDAYS being the current standard platforms.
Free Software and Educational Tools
One of the most valuable categories of freebies for students is software, which can be prohibitively expensive for personal purchase. Many major technology companies offer free or heavily discounted educational versions to students with valid academic email addresses.
Microsoft Office 365 Education is available for free to students at eligible institutions. This includes the full suite of applications: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams. The offer requires a valid college email address for verification.
Google also provides 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 for collaboration and productivity.
Adobe offers discounted plans for students, such as 64% off Creative Cloud Pro. Autodesk provides a free annual subscription for students. Other software available for free or at a significant discount includes:
- JetBrains: A free all-products pack for students with a .edu email address.
- Canva for Students: Free access to design tools.
- Figma: Free Figma for education.
- GitHub Student Developer Pack: Includes a free subscription to various developer tools, learning resources, and cloud credits (e.g., DigitalOcean, AWS Educate, Google Cloud Student Credits, Microsoft Azure $100 Student Credits).
- Tableau: Free Tableau for Students.
- Notion: Free Personal Pro for students.
- Overleaf: A LaTeX editor for academic writing and collaboration.
- On the Hub: Offers up to 90% off software for students.
It is advisable for students to check their university's IT department website, as many institutions provide free access to a large number of software seat licenses, similar to borrowing a library book.
Retail and Fashion Discounts
Students can save significantly on clothing, footwear, and accessories through platform-verified discounts. These offers are typically percentage-based and can be applied online or in-store.
Examples of fashion retailers offering student discounts via UNiDAYS or Student Beans include:
- ASOS: 10% off.
- Aeropostale: 15% off via UNiDAYS.
- Aerie: 20% off via UNiDAYS.
- boohoo: Up to 30% off.
- Champion: Up to 10% off online for actively enrolled students.
- Club Monaco: 15% off online and in-store.
- Converse: 20% off.
- Crocs: 25% off via Student Beans.
- Dr. Martens: 15% off online.
- Adidas: Up to 15% off.
Other brands like Hanes offer up to 10% off online, while Dockers provides 25% off. It is important to note that discount percentages and participating brands can change frequently. Students should always confirm the current discount details on the UNiDAYS or Student Beans platform before making a purchase.
Food, Drink, and Entertainment Offers
Access to affordable food and entertainment is crucial for student wellbeing. While the source data does not provide a comprehensive list of UK-specific free food offers, it mentions that some restaurants offer free drinks or discounts, though these are often highly region-specific and should be verified at the point of purchase.
For entertainment, the source data highlights a specific offer for students in the United States, which serves as an example of the types of benefits that may be available through major subscription services. Students can often access free trials or discounted rates for streaming and news services. For instance, signing up for a six-month free trial of Amazon Prime Student (a US offer) may include access to The Washington Post. In the UK, students should check directly with services like Amazon Prime Student, Netflix, Spotify, and local news outlets for any available student trials or discounts.
Financial and Cashback Incentives
Beyond direct product discounts, students can access financial benefits through cashback and reward apps. These platforms allow students to earn money or gift cards by performing everyday tasks.
- Drop: A mobile app that links to a student's debit or credit cards. When linked cards are used for shopping, points are earned. These points can be redeemed for gift cards to retailers such as Amazon, Netflix, and Starbucks. The app is available for both Android and iOS devices.
Other survey and task-based platforms mentioned in the source data, such as Swagbucks, KingOpinion, Earn Haus, and HealthyWage, offer opportunities to earn cash or prizes by completing surveys, testing apps, or achieving wellness goals. While these are not exclusive to students, they can be a supplementary source of funds. Students are advised to use such platforms with caution and ensure they are legitimate.
Accessing Free Textbooks and Educational Resources
Textbooks represent a major expense for students. The source data emphasises that free textbook access is a critical need. While the data does not list specific UK-based textbook rental or free programmes, it directs students to utilise their university library resources and IT departments. Many universities have extensive digital libraries and software agreements that provide free access to required textbooks and academic materials.
Additionally, platforms like UNiDAYS and Student Beans sometimes partner with educational publishers or book retailers to offer discounts on textbooks and course materials.
Important Considerations and Eligibility
To access these freebies and discounts, students must be able to verify their current enrolment at a recognised UK university or college. This is typically done through:
- University Email Address: Most platforms require a valid academic email (e.g., .ac.uk) for initial sign-up and verification.
- University Portal Login: Some services may require students to log in through their university's single sign-on system.
- Official Student ID: While not always needed for digital platforms, a physical student ID card may be required for in-store discounts at certain retailers.
Students should be aware that many free trials (e.g., for software or streaming services) automatically convert to a paid subscription unless cancelled before the trial period ends. It is essential to read the terms and conditions carefully and set reminders to cancel if the service is not required long-term.
Furthermore, offers and eligibility can change. The most reliable source for current information is always the official website of the discount platform (UNiDAYS or Student Beans) or the brand's own student offers page.
Conclusion
UK university students have access to a wide ecosystem of freebies, discounts, and trial programmes designed to reduce the financial strain of higher education. By registering with verified platforms like UNiDAYS and Student Beans, students can unlock significant savings on software, fashion, food, and entertainment. Proactive research through university IT departments and library services can further provide access to essential academic resources like textbooks and software at no cost. While the specific offers vary by brand and platform, the overarching principle is that students should always verify their status and confirm discount details before making a purchase to ensure they receive the maximum benefit available to them.