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Best UK Student Discounts and Freebies That Indian Students Can Avail When Studying Abroad

04 July 2025

Organizing your studies in the UK is all exciting—but studying abroad also entails financial crises. For Indian students, there is always concern, of course, about how to sustain expenses while studying abroad. Relax, because the UK is student-friendly with a cornucopia of deals and discounts especially tailored for college or university-going students.

From affordable travel tickets to special shopping offers, students can save a lot—without ever having to spend an additional penny. A student ID, university email address, or student account verified by the school is all you need to begin saving. Not only do we get you admitted at BCES Admissions Abroad, but we also show you how to live like a student and wisely.

Here’s a sneak peek at some of the most popular and latest student discounts and deals for free in the UK in 2025.

  1. TOTUM Card – Enjoy Exclusive Deals Across the UK

The TOTUM card, which was formerly called the NUS Extra card, is the UK’s most famous and popular student discount card. Using it, you will get your hands on discounts from more than 350 high-profile brands such as ASOS, Apple, Boots, and National Express. It only costs around £14.99 a year, which can easily be recouped through the discounts you will gain.

The majority of TOTUM offers currently include a free ISIC card—an international student identification card offering you discounts even beyond the UK. 

  1. UNiDAYS – Every Student’s Must-Have

UNiDAYS is an entirely free-of-charge scheme that grants you access to in-store and online student offers from hundreds of brands. After confirming your student status with your university email address, you can take advantage of offers from brands such as Samsung, Nike, H&M, Apple Music, and even Uber Eats.

Indian students who have gained their UK university offer can join up before they travel to the UK—save earlier!

  1. Student Oyster Card – Pay Less to Travel Around London

Studying in London? The 18+ Student Oyster photocard is your ticket to cheaper public transport. You get up to 30% discount on bus passes and travelcards, saving money on the daily journey. You can use it on buses, Tube, trams, etc.

  1. Railcards – Save Money on UK Train Journeys

If you’re traveling to a friend in another town or out to Scotland on vacation, the 16–25 Railcard or 26–30 Railcard discounts you 1/3 on trains nationwide. These are only £30 per year but will save you a load of money over the year.

You can now have your railcard digitally stored via the Trainline app—you no longer need to carry the original.

  1. Amazon Prime Student – Try It Free for 6 Months

Amazon Prime Student is free one-day delivery for six months, unlimited Prime Video streaming, and student-exclusive discounts. Then, only pay half the price of regular Prime membership.

  1. Free Bank Perks – Extra Cash and Subscriptions

Several UK banks offer welcome rewards for opening a student account. For example, HSBC and NatWest have recently provided up to £100 in free cash or subscriptions to services like Spotify or Headspace.

As an international student, you’ll need a passport, BRP (biometric residence permit), and your university acceptance letter to open an account.

  1. Grocery and Retail Loyalty Cards

Key UK high-street supermarkets such as Sainsbury’s and Tesco provide loyalty cards (Tesco Clubcard, Nectar Card) which allow you to spend less money on food shopping.

Boots (chemist shop) has the Advantage Card, which accrues points that you can exchange for shopping in the future.

 

They are free to join and can save you a significant amount on your monthly spend.

  1. Discount Cinema Tickets

Want to relax with a film? UK movie theaters such as Odeon, Vue, and Cineworld provide reduced fares for students, particularly on weekdays. Unlimited Student Card from Cineworld provides you with unlimited monthly film viewing at a reduced subscription fee.

  1. Campus Free Events and Giveaways

Your college is brimming with free activities, workshops, and meals. From cultural festivals and career fairs to mental health workshops, there is never a lack of something on campus. Not only do these provide you with a chance to network, but they also cost you less.

  1. Free Learning Tools and Software

Using your university email account, you may use Microsoft Office 365 at no cost. Most UK universities also offer free or reduced-price usage of programs such as MATLAB, SPSS, Adobe Creative Cloud, and many more for scholarly purposes.

At BCES Admissions Abroad, we don’t just get you accepted at a UK university—we prepare you for life abroad. We assist in organizing housing, how to be budget-conscious, and insider advice such as the above, so you can concentrate on studying. without the unnecessary financial burden. Stuck planning your study tour in the UK? Make contact with BCES Admissions Abroad for professional advice.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Yes. As long as you are learning a full-time college or university course in the UK, you qualify for most student discounts regardless of where you are from.

No. There are lots of discounts on free websites such as UNiDAYS, but the TOTUM card has extra-special perks, so it’s still worth getting.

No. UK shops tend to need a UK-issued student ID or online validation through sites like UNiDAYS or Student Beans.

You can buy it online at railcard.co.uk. You’ll need a photo and your university information. Once checked, you can use it on your phone through the Trainline app.

Yes, many of the student deals are available year-round. Some of the deals, particularly for fashion or electricals, will change seasonally—so watch out for deals.