Studying abroad is exciting—but it can also be expensive.

Between tuition fees, accommodation, groceries, transport, books and everyday spending, your student budget can disappear surprisingly quickly.

The good news? Student discounts can help reduce some of those costs.

And they are not limited to buying cheaper clothes or getting a discount at a restaurant.

Many students don’t realise that their student status can unlock savings on software, technology, travel, entertainment, food, subscriptions and even professional tools.

For Indian students preparing to study in the UK, Australia, Canada, Malaysia or elsewhere, knowing where to look for these offers can make everyday expenses easier to manage.

Important: Student offers change regularly and eligibility varies by country, university and provider. Always check the current terms before paying or signing up.

Why Student Discounts Are Worth Checking

A 10% discount may not sound exciting.

But imagine using student discounts on several regular expenses throughout the year.

A simple example

Potential savings across selected purchases: £16–£33

*Illustrative only. Actual discounts vary.

The lesson is simple:

Don’t look for one huge discount. Look for small savings that repeat.

15 Student Discounts You Should Check

1. Student Discount Platforms

Start with platforms that collect offers in one place.

UNiDAYS, for example, is free to join and offers verified students discounts across categories such as fashion, technology, food and travel. Its UK site currently lists offers from hundreds of brands, while availability differs by country.

You can also check similar student-deal platforms available in your country.

Pro tip:

Create your student account soon after enrolling instead of waiting until you need a discount.

2. An International Student Card

International students may also want to investigate the International Student Identity Card (ISIC).

ISIC says its card provides student-status verification and access to thousands of discounts worldwide, including shopping, culture and travel. It is available to full-time students, with proof of student status required.

This can be particularly useful if you travel frequently.

3. Software Discounts

This is one of the most overlooked areas.

Before paying for a software subscription, search for a student plan.

Students may find education pricing or student benefits for:

• Design software
• Productivity tools
• Coding platforms
• Cloud services
• Note-taking tools
• Video and photo editing software

For example, Microsoft offers student pricing on eligible Microsoft 365 plans, subject to verification and eligibility.

4. Developer and Coding Tools

Studying computer science, software engineering or data science?

Check student programmes before purchasing development tools.

GitHub’s Student Developer Pack currently includes a range of partner benefits for verified students, including developer tools, learning resources and cloud-related offers.

For the right student, these benefits can be worth much more than a typical shopping coupon.

5. Design and Creative Tools

Students in design, media, marketing and similar subjects often need expensive software.

Adobe, for example, provides student and teacher pricing on Creative Cloud products, with eligibility verification required. Adobe’s current India education pages also show student-specific pricing and institutional offers.

Before buying a full-price subscription, always check the education section first.

6. Public Transport

Don’t assume your student ID is only useful on campus.

Check your local transport authority or operator for:

• Student fares
• Weekly passes
• Monthly passes
• Rail discounts
• Bus discounts
• Off-peak travel offers

The exact rules can differ significantly between cities, so check the official transport website for your university’s location.

7. Museums and Cultural Attractions

This is one of the benefits students often overlook.

Museums, galleries, exhibitions and cultural attractions may offer:

Student price → Reduced price → Sometimes free entry

Don’t simply pay the standard admission fee.

Ask:

“Do you offer a student price?”

You may be surprised.

8. Cinema and Entertainment

Going out doesn’t have to destroy your budget.

Check local cinemas, theatres and entertainment venues for student rates or student days.

Some offers may only apply at particular times, so read the conditions carefully.

9. Restaurants and Cafés

Some restaurants offer student deals, especially around university campuses.

Look for:

• Student meal deals
• Student evenings
• Discount codes
• Combo offers
• Loyalty programmes

A small saving every week can add up over a semester.

10. Travel Discounts

Your student status can sometimes help with travel too.

Check student platforms, transport providers and international student discount programmes before booking.

For international travel, an ISIC card may also provide access to travel-related offers in participating locations.

Travel rule:

Never book first and search for a student discount later.

Check before paying.

11. Shopping Discounts

Student offers aren’t just for textbooks.

Depending on the country and brand, you may find discounts on:

• Clothing
• Shoes
• Electronics
• Stationery
• Fitness products
• Bags and accessories

Platforms such as UNiDAYS can make these offers easier to discover.

12. Gym and Fitness Deals

Check your university first.

Your campus may already have a discounted gym or sports membership.

Local gyms near universities may also offer student rates.

Before joining a commercial gym, compare:

University gym vs. private gym vs. student promotional rate

13. Banking and Financial Services

This is another category worth checking carefully.

Some banks and financial providers offer products or incentives specifically for students.

But don’t choose a financial product simply because it says “student.”

Check:

• Fees
• Conditions
• Interest rates
• Eligibility
• Transaction charges
• Terms after graduation

A discount isn’t useful if the overall product costs you more.

14. Student Offers You Didn’t Know Your University Already Provides

This may be the biggest hidden category.

Your university could provide access to things you might otherwise pay for separately.

Check your student portal for:

• Software licences
• Library resources
• Online journals
• Career platforms
• Counselling and wellbeing services
• Gym facilities
• Academic workshops
• Printing allowances
• Learning platforms
• Student societies

Before paying for anything academic, ask:

“Does my university already provide this?”

You might already have access.

15. Don’t Forget Local Independent Businesses

Not every useful student discount appears on a big website.

Small cafés, restaurants, bookstores, barbers, fitness studios and shops near universities may have their own offers.

Simply ask:

“Is there a student discount?”

It takes five seconds.

The Student Discount Checklist

Before spending money, run through this quick checklist:

                ABOUT TO BUY?
                      ↓
              Check university
                      ↓
          Check student platforms
                      ↓
           Search education pricing
                      ↓
          Ask the local business
                      ↓
         Compare the final price
                      ↓
                  BUY SMART

This small habit can prevent you from paying the standard price unnecessarily.

Read more here!

5-Minute Student Discount Routine

You don’t need to search for discounts every day.

Do this once a month:

🔎 1. Check your student platform

Look for new offers.

🎓 2. Check your university portal

Look for new student benefits.

💻 3. Review your subscriptions

See whether you’re paying full price for something that has a student plan.

✈️ 4. Check upcoming travel

Look for student transport or travel offers before booking.

💰 5. Review your spending

Identify one or two recurring expenses where a student price could help.

Final Thoughts

Your student ID is more than proof that you attend university.

It can sometimes unlock student discounts on things you already need—and occasionally on things you didn’t realise had student pricing at all.

For Indian students living abroad, these savings can be especially useful when you’re learning to manage a new budget in a new country.

The key is to make checking for student discounts a habit.

Before paying full price, ask yourself:

“Is there a student price?”

Check your university. Check trusted student platforms. Check the official provider.

You might save only a few pounds or dollars today—but repeated small savings can make a noticeable difference over your time at university.

Study smart. Spend smart. Make your student status work for you.

Read our previous blog here!