13 Student Discount Cards Every College Student Should Have
– 13 Student Discount Cards Every College Student Should Have –
Are you fed up with being poor, badly dressed, hungry, and an unequipped student? Flashing your student card when out and about in the states can get you hundreds of student discounts on things such as clothes, food, and technology, and can even get you some free goodies and helpful services reserved solely for students.
A little financial planning goes a long way and thankfully, if you’re looking to save a little money while living in student accommodation then you’ve no doubt heard of a few cards that can help you save money.
There are a surprising number of cards every student should have, which can provide a discount on things such as travel, shopping, and food. So we’ve rounded up 13 of the best student discount cards that we think are well worth investing in.
How to get a Student Discount Card for Free
You can get certain student discount cards in for free, for example, a UNiDAYS card, which offers a discount on clothing, tech, and food.
However, it may be possible to get your hands on other student cards without paying a penny. Certain schemes may entice you with the offer of a free discount card, for example, banks sometimes give you these cards free of charge if you sign up to an undergraduate account. So, keep your eye open for any of these offers.
Top 13 Discount Cards in the UK
Here are the top 13 discount cards in the UK to look out for:
1. Nectar Card
Like a Tesco Clubcard, a Nectar card is a free card that works with a points system. You can choose up points while shopping at Argos, Debenhams, Sainsbury’s as well as many other retailers.
As you collect points, you receive digital voucher codes, which can be spent on places such as Thorpe Park, Go Ape, eBay, Argos, Virgin Trains, and many more.
You can also just spend the points by swiping your card at Sainsbury’s, Vue Cinema, or Argos. 2,000 points are equivalent to £10, so you can save quite a lot of money.
2. 18+ Student Oyster Card
An 18+ student Oyster photo-card offers 30% off adult-rate travel-cards, bus, and tram tickets. To be eligible, you must be 18 or over and enrolled on a full-time or part-time course with a school, college, or university.
You also have to be living in London during term-time. If you’d like to apply for the student Oyster photo-card, there’s a £20 administration fee and you’ll also need a recent photo of yourself.
3. VIP Backpackers Card
With a VIP Backpackers card, you get 12 months membership which offers worldwide discounts on travel, tours, and international accommodation.
You also get destination information, hostel guides, and a mobile sim pack with an international calling card all for only £12.
4. NUS Card
An NUS card is one of the most popular student discount cards in the UK. Its run by the National Union of Students so is aimed at helping students have an easier and cheaper life.
Operated by the NUS is the latest NUS Extra card which will entitle you to student discounts in loads of the major high street stores.
It costs just £12 for a 12-month card and it’s estimated you’ll save an average of £500 a year with this card.
5. International Student Identity Card
With an ISIC card, you gain access to student services and facilities internationally, with access to over 42,000 student benefits and discounts in close to 125,000 locations in more than 130 countries.
Typical discounts include accommodation, food, or trips abroad. Therefore it’s perfect if you’re into traveling and if you’re studying overseas.
6. UNiDAYS
UNiDAYS card is widely popular as it’s one of the free student discount cards that offer discounts online and in-store.
However, it uses an app in place of a plastic card. If you show your profile on the app while at checkout, you can receive a 10%-50% discount depending on the store.
This includes all the leading brands and retailers, for example, Asos, Benefit, Bella Italia, and many more.
Unidays get student discounts with fashion brands (for example, ASOS and Urban Outfitters), electronics (Apple), fitness (Nike, Pure Gym, and JD Sports), and beauty (MAC, Benefit, Urban Decay), etc.
7. University Student ID Card
Your university ID card will be the free student card you’re issued with when you join. It will have your photo on and the name of your university, possibly accompanied by the starting year of your studies. You might need to carry this with you to enter the campus, use university facilities, or get into your student’s union.
On top of this, a lot of stores will accept this as a discount card, so you’ll be able to save some money when you treat yourself.
8. Tesco Clubcard
This one isn’t particularly aimed at students, but will undoubtedly help you while you do the weekly shop and is a free card.
With a Tesco Clubcard, simply collect points whenever you spend money in Tesco on your essentials. Every 3 months, you’ll receive vouchers based on the number of points you’ve earned.
You can also use these vouchers with any of Tesco’s partners, including Pizza Express, Cineworld, or Uber.
9. Student Debit Card
When starting university, it’s highly recommended that you sign up for a student bank account. Although this isn’t one of the student discount cards, an undergraduate bank account is equally helpful, as it often comes with an interest-free overdraft.
This will come in handy and will mean you won’t get in more debt if you go a little overdrawn. Speak to someone in branch at a high street bank for some advice on the best one for you.
10. 16-25 Railcard
Travelling can be expensive, especially by rail, so if you use the train a lot, whether it’s forgetting to university or going home, a young person’s railcard is well worth the investment.
They’re for anyone aged 16 to 25, or over 25 and in full-time study. Get 1/3 off Standard Anytime, Off-Peak, Standard Advanced, and First Class Advanced fares and they’re just £30 per year, too.
11. Student Beans
Similar to UniDAYS, Student Beans offers discounts for clothes, tech, food, and all the student discounts you could want.
Some of the offers you won’t find on UNiDAYS are, for example, 10 percent off at Papa John’s and online department store Oliver Bonas, as well as reduced student tickets at Alton Towers.
12. ISIC (International Student Identity Card)
The ISIC offers discounts to students at school, college or university from the age of 12 and over. Applicable to 130 different countries, students can use it as their official student status to get over 150,000 student discounts and offers around the world.
In the UK, this includes discounts for transport (National Express, Stansted Express), rent guarantor servimuseum admissions (American Museum in Britain), fitness studios, hair services, etc.
Pro-tip for international students: make sure you allow enough time to deliver your ISIC before departing to your university overseas.
As an alternative, you can also request for your ISIC to be delivered to your country of study after you arrive.
13. TOTUM the New Name for NUS Extra
TOTUM is the newly rebranded version of NUS extra, giving you even more great deals all year round and an app that connects you with your place of study.
It’s not just for University students, anyone over 16 and studying more than 10 hours per week can get it.
Even if you’ve already got other student discount apps, TOTUM gives you more all year round with deals on stuff like food and drink at the Co-op, Las Iguanas, Café Rouge, WHSmith, Gourmet Society and 20% off with National Express.
These are the 13 student discount cards every college student should have.
CSN Team.
