How to get a student discount card in the UK
Getting a student discount card takes a few minutes. The only real decisions are what you'll use it for and how you'll prove you're a student. We make one of these, so treat this as our view — we've been clear below about where the free options are the sensible choice.
What you need before you start
- A university or college email address ending .ac.uk — this is the quickest form of proof and all it takes to verify an Infinity Club student membership.
- If you don't have one yet, an enrolment letter, student ID card or timetable is normally accepted instead.
- Your course start and end dates, since most cards are verified per academic year.
Which card to get, depending on what you buy
Mostly online shopping? Install the free apps first. Student Beans and UNiDAYS cost nothing and cover national and online brands, so there's no reason to skip them.
Need official student ID or travel deals? TOTUM, the card that replaced NUS, is the one recognised as ID.
Most of your money going on local food, coffee, haircuts and nights out? That's where a local membership earns its place. Infinity Club is £3.99 a month for students with a .ac.uk email, with the first 30 days free, and it covers independent businesses in the areas we operate in.
Details of other providers come from their own websites. Prices and terms change — check theirs before deciding.
How it works
- 1Join with your university emailSign up with your .ac.uk address and your student price is applied automatically.
- 2Find offers near campusSearch by what you fancy or open the map to see what's discounted around you right now.
- 3Show your card and saveShow your digital membership card in store. Free for your first 30 days.
Keep reading
Common questions
- How do I get a student discount card in the UK?
- Pick the platform that suits what you buy, then verify that you're a student — usually with a university email address ending .ac.uk, or by uploading proof of enrolment. Free apps like Student Beans and UNiDAYS verify in minutes; TOTUM is the paid card that also works as student ID; Infinity Club verifies your .ac.uk email and covers local independent businesses.
- Do I need a student card to get student discount?
- Not always. Plenty of places accept a university email, an enrolment letter or a campus ID card. A discount platform is useful because it collects the offers in one place rather than leaving you to ask each business.
- Can I get a student discount card without a .ac.uk email?
- Usually yes, but you'll need another form of proof such as an enrolment letter or student ID. Each provider lists what it accepts.
- How long does a student discount card last?
- Most are tied to your time as a student and need re-verifying each academic year. A monthly membership can be cancelled whenever you stop needing it.