Open University Students: Are They Eligible For Discounts?

Students at the Open University are entitled to a range of student discounts. While they may not have a physical student ID card, they can use apps such as Unidays and Student Beans to access discounts online and in-store. Students can also apply for a TOTUM card, which can be used for bus discounts. Additionally, OU students can use their student email address as proof of student status for certain discounts, such as for Adobe software.

Student discount cards and codes

There are a variety of student cards available in the UK that can provide great discounts on things such as shopping, travel, and food. Here are some of the most popular ones:

• TOTUM Card: Formerly known as the NUS Extra card, the TOTUM card is one of the most popular UK student discount cards. It offers discounts at various stores, including half-price unlimited music, access to student rates on TV and internet bills, and deals on pizza. The card costs £12 per year or £1 per month and can be used for online shopping.
• International Student Identity Card (ISIC): The ISIC offers discounts to students in 130 countries, with access to over 42,000 benefits and discounts in almost 125,000 locations. In the UK, this includes discounts on transport, museum admissions, fitness studios, and hair services. It costs £12 a year and can be used as official proof of student status.
• UniDAYS: UniDAYS is a free online student scheme that offers discounts from various leading brands and retailers, including Apple, ASOS, Urban Outfitters, and more. Discounts range from 10%-50% and are available both online and in-store. Anyone over 16 years old studying at a college or university in the UK can join by signing up with their academic email address.
• Student Beans: Similar to UniDAYS, Student Beans offers discounts on clothes, tech, and food. Some unique offers include 10% off at Papa John's and online department store Oliver Bonas, as well as reduced student tickets at Alton Towers. It is free to sign up, and the smartphone app tells you all the places you can get discounts both online and in-store.
• 18+ Student Oyster Card: This card offers 30% off adult-rate travel cards for use on Transport for London services, including underground, overground, buses, and trams. It is available to students aged 18 or over enrolled in a full-time or part-time course in London. There is a £20 administration fee for this card.
• Railcard: The railcard offers 30% off standard rail fares in the UK for £30 per year. It is available to anyone aged 16-25 or over 25 and in full-time study. This card can also be added to your Oyster card if you're travelling around London, giving you a 34% discount.

In addition to these cards, there are also various other ways for students to save money. Many subscription services, such as Spotify, Amazon Prime, and Netflix, offer student rates. Students can also get free Microsoft Office for three years and discounts on other software. It is always worth asking about student discounts and having your student ID card with you, as many stores and services may offer discounts that are not widely advertised.

Student discounts for clothing

Students can access a range of clothing discounts, with many retailers offering price reductions. Here are some examples of the student discounts available:

10% Discount

Students can get 10% off at Cotton On, ASOS, The Iconic, Bonds, Dickies, Dorothy Perkins, L.L. Bean, Lorna Jane, Superdry, Topshop, UGG, and many more.

15% Discount

Brands such as Adidas, J.Crew, PrettyLittleThing, Vineyard Vines, Levi's, Sunglass Hut, Rag & Bone, and more, offer a 15% student discount.

20% Discount

Some retailers, including American Eagle, Bonobos, Hawes & Curtis, Jack Willis, Cole Haan, and more, offer a 20% student discount.

Up to 40% Discount

Students can get up to 40% off at Allen Edmonds, Alternative Apparel, and more.

Other Discounts

Some retailers offer different discounts, such as Boohoo, which offers 80% off, and Bluebella, which offers up to 50% off plus an extra 10% discount.

How to Access Student Discounts

Students can access these discounts by registering their student status with UNiDAYS, Student Beans, or a similar platform. They may also need to verify their student status with a valid student email address or ID.

Student discounts for food

Students at the Open University are eligible for a range of student discounts, including those for food and groceries. While the availability of discounts varies by location, there are several ways for students to access these benefits.

One way is to obtain a student ID card, which is typically provided during university orientation. This card can be used to obtain discounts at various food outlets, including restaurants, cafes, and food chains. Some examples include student restaurants at the University of Oulu, which offer discounted meals to Bachelor's and Master's students with a valid Finnish student ID card or Kela's meal subsidy card. Additionally, many food chains, such as the Aussie burger chain Grill'd, offer student specials on certain days of the week.

Another way to access student discounts is through online platforms such as UNiDAYS, Student Beans, and TOTUM. These platforms offer both free digital memberships and paid plastic cards that provide access to various food and grocery discounts. For instance, students can enjoy an extra 15% discount on Costco memberships and 10% off Huel all year.

It is worth noting that some discounts may be restricted to full-time students or those studying specific subjects. However, part-time students at the Open University can still access many benefits, including those offered by UNiDAYS, Student Beans, and TOTUM. Additionally, some companies accept an OU Statement of Academic Record as proof of student status, such as Adobe.

Lastly, it is always worth inquiring about student discounts when making purchases, as some businesses may offer unadvertised deals.

Student discounts for technology

Open University students are entitled to student discounts, although the extent of these depends on whether they are studying full- or part-time. For example, in England, full-time students can get a maintenance loan, whereas part-time students cannot. However, both full- and part-time students can qualify for most student discount schemes, such as TOTUM, UNiDAYS, StudentBeans, and other schemes requiring a student email address.

Laptops and Tablets

Many technology companies offer discounts on laptops and tablets for students. For example, Apple offers an education discount of around 10% off, as well as promotions such as free AirPods with the purchase of a MacBook. Dell also offers discounts to students with a .edu email address, and these coupon codes can sometimes be stacked with other deals. HP offers education discounts of up to 40% off select products, and Razer offers a selection of discounted laptops, as well as 15% off peripherals and 5% off gaming chairs. Lenovo typically offers students around 10% off, and Logitech offers a 25% student discount.

Software

There are many software deals available for students. Adobe Creative Cloud, which includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Acrobat Pro, and Lightroom, is available to students for $20 per month for the first year and $30 per month thereafter (usually $55 per month). Microsoft offers up to 10% off a variety of products, including Surface devices and accessories. Dashlane Premium Password Manager is free for one year for students, and Evernote Professional is available with a 40% student discount.

Streaming Services

Spotify Premium Student costs $6 per month, which is half the price of a standard subscription, and includes Hulu with commercials. Apple Music Student is also available for $6 per month, and includes Apple TV+ (usually $11 per month). YouTube Premium is available to students for $8 per month (usually $14 per month) after a free one-month trial, and includes access to ad-free videos and music. Hulu offers its ad-supported plan to students for $2 per month, down from the usual $8 per month. Peacock Premium is available for $2 per month for a year, a discount of $6 per month.

Other

UNiDAYS offers a range of deals on wearables, home electronics, tablets, and mobile devices. Samsung offers students, parents, and educators up to 30% off laptops, tablets, and phones, as well as discounted accessories with the purchase of select devices.

Student discounts for travel

Students at the Open University are indeed eligible for various student discounts. While specific benefits may vary depending on location and other factors, here is an overview of student discounts specifically for travel:

Public Transport

Many regions offer discounted rates for students using public transportation. For example, in Finland, full-time students residing in the HSL area can purchase season tickets at a 40% discount through the HSL app or with an HSL card. Similarly, in the Netherlands, students enrolled in tertiary education institutions can apply for free or discounted travel on public transport through the Dienst Uitvoering Onderwijs (DUO) website.

Air Travel

StudentUniverse is a platform that caters specifically to students and young adults aged 18-25, offering exclusive flight discounts and deals for both international and domestic travel. They have negotiated with airlines globally to provide flight deals that cannot be found elsewhere.

Rail Travel

In some countries, students can avail of discounted rail passes or tickets. For instance, in the UK, students can obtain a 16-25 Railcard, which offers up to 1/3 off standard rail fares for travel across the country. Similar schemes may be available in other countries, so it is worth checking with the local rail operators or transport authorities.

Other Travel Discounts

In addition to the above, students may also be eligible for various other travel-related discounts:

• Car Rental: Some car rental companies offer student discounts or have partnerships with student programs, providing exclusive rates for students.
• Coach Travel: Inter-city or long-distance coach services may offer student discounts, providing cheaper alternatives for travelling between cities or countries.
• Attractions and Tours: Many tourist attractions, museums, galleries, and tour operators provide concession rates for students, so it is always worth inquiring or carrying your student ID.

Remember to always carry valid student identification or proof of enrolment when travelling, as most providers will require this to grant the discounted rates.

Frequently asked questions