Student Discounts You’re Probably Missing (And How to Snag Them)

Being a student often means balancing lectures, late nights and a bank balance that seems permanently on the edge. 

The good news is that there are far more discounts out there than most people actually use. You’ve probably heard of a few, but chances are you’re missing out on some really helpful ones – especially when it comes to travel, food, apps and everyday spending.

This guide walks you through the kinds of student discounts that often slip under the radar, and how to build a few simple habits that make saving money feel effortless rather than boring.

Travel Discounts: More Than Just a Railcard

Most students know railcards exist, but not everyone makes the most of them. If you’re eligible for a 16–25 Railcard, or a mature student railcard, it can be a game-changer.

It doesn’t just help for big cross-country journeys; it also softens the blow of those regular trips home, weekend visits to friends in other cities, or spontaneous days out when you need a break from campus. 

The key is remembering to actually use it. When you’re buying tickets online or at the station, always double-check that you’ve selected the railcard option. A surprising number of students forget and end up paying full fare by accident.

Coaches are another underrated option. Coach companies often offer young person or student cards that knock down the price of tickets quite significantly. They might take a bit longer than trains, but if you’ve got a podcast lined up and a snack stash, the journey can be perfectly manageable – especially when you see how much cheaper it is. 

Many coach operators run app-only deals or flash sales, particularly during quieter midweek periods. If your timetable is flexible, it’s worth checking what’s available before automatically booking the train.

Don’t forget local transport either. In many student cities, bus and tram companies run special student passes for a term or full year. At first glance, paying a lump sum can feel like a lot, but if you’re commuting to campus regularly, working a part-time job across town or constantly nipping out to see friends, the cost per trip can work out far cheaper than tapping your card every time. 

It’s worth doing a quick bit of maths: estimate how many journeys you do in a week and compare that with the cost of a weekly or term pass. You might find you’re able to travel more for less without even trying.

Student Discount Apps You’re Underusing

Student discount apps like UNiDAYS and Student Beans are pretty famous, but most people only use them for the obvious things like clothes and trainers. In reality, they cover far more. 

Once you start exploring, you’ll find discounts on food delivery, tech, beauty products, gym memberships and even some streaming and software subscriptions. Instead of only opening these apps when you’re buying a new hoodie, try making a habit of checking them whenever you’re about to make an online purchase. 

If you’re thinking about new headphones, skincare, a backpack or trainers, search the brand first. There’s a good chance you’ll find at least a small discount, and those small percentages add up over a year.

Physical student cards and schemes like TOTUM can also be handy. While a lot of offers have moved online, some independent cafés, local shops or food outlets around campus still respond better to a card you can show at the counter. They might not advertise student discounts heavily, but if you ask or flash your card, you might be pleasantly surprised. 

Cards like this sometimes come with access to extra deals on travel, attractions and days out too, which can be useful if you like exploring new places with friends.

The real trick with all these platforms is consistency rather than obsessiveness. You don’t need to become a full-time discount hunter. You just need to get into the rhythm of checking for an offer before clicking “checkout”.

Grocery and Food Shop Hacks

Your weekly food shop is one of the biggest regular expenses you’ll have, which is exactly why grocery discounts make such a difference. 

Supermarket loyalty cards are no longer just about collecting points slowly; many supermarkets offer special “member prices” on certain products that only show up when you scan your card or use the app. 

That means even if you’re just grabbing a lunch deal, a ready meal or a few snacks before a night in, you can end up paying noticeably less than the sticker price.

It helps to pick loyalty schemes for the supermarkets you already go to regularly, rather than signing up for every card under the sun. Once you’ve chosen your main one or two, add the cards to your phone wallet or app so you don’t have to dig around in your bag at the till. 

Over a term, the difference between paying full price and paying member price for your usual items can be pretty significant.

There’s also a clever stacking effect when you start combining discounts. If there’s a supermarket near campus that sometimes runs student promotions, you may be able to layer student discounts with loyalty prices and multibuy offers. It doesn’t feel dramatic in the moment, but when your weekly shop knocks a few pounds off here and there, your student budget stretches that bit further.

Reduced-to-clear items are another quiet student superpower. Later in the evening, many supermarkets reduce the price of food that’s close to its use-by date. If you’ve got a freezer and you’re willing to be flexible about what you eat, you can bag some great bargains. 

Grabbing reduced bread, meat, ready meals or desserts and freezing them means you’ve got cheap meals waiting for you when you need them. Just make sure you’re checking dates and storing things properly so nothing goes to waste.

Streaming, Tech and Software Savings

Most students use at least one music or video streaming service, but not everyone is paying the student rate when they could be. 

Many platforms have specific student plans that offer the same features as regular subscriptions for less, and sometimes throw in extra perks or bundles. It’s worth checking the account section of the services you already use to see whether there’s a student option you can switch to. 

If you’re signing up for something new, search for “student plan” rather than going straight for the standard one.

When it comes to software, there are even bigger savings to be had. Depending on your course, you might need access to word processing, spreadsheets, design tools or specialist programs. Before you pay for anything personally, check what your university already provides. 

Many institutions offer free or heavily discounted access to office suites, design software and cloud storage, especially if they’re essential for your course. Often, all you need is your university email address to activate educational licences. It’s very easy to accidentally waste money on subscriptions you were entitled to for free.

Laptops and tech purchases are another area where student discounts quietly sit in the background. Some brands offer student pricing on devices, accessories and even extended warranties. 

If you’re about to invest in a laptop or tablet you’ll rely on for years, it’s well worth taking a few minutes to look up whether the brand offers any student deals, either directly or through one of the student platforms. A small discount on a big-ticket item can save you a lot in one go.

Eating Out, Coffee and Social Life Discounts

Saving money doesn’t have to mean saying no to every meal out or coffee catch-up. Many chain restaurants and fast-food spots offer student discounts on food or drink, especially in busy student towns. 

Sometimes it’s a percentage off the total bill; other times it’s a free side or upgrade if you show student ID. Even if there’s no sign on the wall, it’s always worth asking at the counter or when you order. The worst they can say is no.

Coffee lovers can benefit too. A lot of cafés have loyalty schemes where you earn stamps or points towards a free drink. It doesn’t sound particularly exciting, but if you’re someone who grabs a latte before lectures or camps out in cafés to study, those free drinks start popping up fairly regularly. 

Some places also offer discounts for bringing a reusable cup, which means you’re saving money and being a bit kinder to the planet at the same time.

When it comes to entertainment, always look for student or concession tickets at cinemas, theatres and attractions. Many venues quietly offer reduced prices for students, especially for off-peak showings or midweek performances. 

You may have to tick a special option when booking online and show your student card on arrival, but the savings can be substantial. If you enjoy museums, galleries and cultural events, check whether they do student memberships that come with extra perks, such as guest passes or shop discounts.

Hidden University Perks That Are Basically Discounts

Not every discount comes in the form of money off at the till. Some of the most valuable “student discounts” are actually services your university provides that you might not be fully using. 

Campus gyms, for example, are often cheaper than big commercial ones and might include access to classes or sports clubs. If you’re paying full price elsewhere when there’s a decent facility linked to your uni, it’s worth comparing prices and seeing what you get for your money.

Your university may also offer free or subsidised printing, equipment loan schemes for things like cameras or laptops, and extensive careers support. Instead of paying for private CV writing services or renting expensive equipment for projects, you might be able to use what’s already available to you as a student. 

These benefits are easy to overlook because they feel like part of the background, but they’re a genuine way to save.

Building Simple Habits to Make Discounts Work for You

With so many offers floating around, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and either obsess over every penny or give up and ignore them all. The sweet spot sits somewhere in the middle. 

Try turning discounts into small habits rather than big events. When you shop online, quickly check a student app or search for the brand name plus “student discount” before you pay. 

When you’re in a shop or café, make a habit of asking if they do student discounts or scanning your loyalty app. Keep your most-used cards and apps on your phone’s home screen so they’re always within reach.

It’s also important not to let the idea of saving money push you into overspending. A discount is only useful if you were going to buy the thing anyway. 

Before pressing “buy”, it helps to pause and ask yourself whether you’d still want it at full price. If the answer is no, the discount is probably just tempting you into spending rather than genuinely helping your budget.

Final Thoughts: Small Savings, Big Impact

Student life can be expensive, but you’re also in a unique phase where companies are genuinely keen to give you cheaper deals. 

If you learn to make smart use of travel discounts, student apps, grocery loyalty schemes, streaming and software offers, and the hidden perks at your own university, you can stretch your money much further without cutting out all the fun parts of being a student.

You don’t need to turn into a hardcore bargain hunter to benefit. A few small habits – checking for discounts before you buy, asking at the till, using loyalty cards and making the most of what your uni already offers – can quietly add up over the year. 

And the more you save on the everyday stuff, the more freedom you have to say yes to the experiences you really care about.