Student Cards: Open University's Perks And Privileges

Students of the Open University can apply for a student card through TOTUM, which replaced the NUS (National Union of Students) Extra card. The TOTUM card is a form of identification that proves the holder's student status and grants them access to a wide range of discounts and offers. Students can also apply for a library card. The Open University provides personal institution email addresses to all registered students through Microsoft Office 365, which can be used to sign up for student discounts on platforms such as UNiDAYS, Student Beans, and Spotify.

Student cards are available through TOTUM, UNiDAYS, and Student Beans

TOTUM

TOTUM is a UK-based student discount card and app that provides exclusive deals and benefits to its members. It offers various discounts on travel, food, entertainment, and other categories. TOTUM members can also take advantage of special offers, such as free lounge access when booking holidays and discounts on airport parking. Additionally, TOTUM provides proof of age ID, which is endorsed by the Home Office and Police and accredited by PASS.

UNiDAYS

UNiDAYS is a digital platform that provides exclusive student deals and benefits. It offers fast, free access to a wide range of discounts from 300+ brands. Students can enjoy savings on fashion, travel, food, technology, and more. UNiDAYS is available as an app on iOS and Google Play Store, providing easy access to exclusive offers and in-store deals. Verification of student status is required, which can be done through automatic verification or by submitting a physical student ID card.

Student Beans

Student Beans is a platform that offers student discounts and deals. While they may offer a student card, the specific details and benefits are unclear. Their website mentions various discounts on greeting cards, personalised cards, and gifts, but there is no mention of a physical student card or an app.

Each of these platforms provides different benefits and discounts, so it's worth exploring each one to see which best suits your needs as an Open University student. It is recommended to check the specific requirements and eligibility criteria for each platform to ensure you can access the deals and discounts they offer.

The OU provides students with a university email address to validate applications

The Open University (OU) provides students with a university email address through Microsoft Office 365. This email address can be used to validate applications for student discount services such as UNiDAYS, StudentBeans, and TOTUM. These services offer discounts on a range of products and services, including Spotify, Amazon Prime, and Apple.

To access their OU email address, students can visit the OU website and log in to their account. The email address will be in the format oucu@ou.ac.uk, where OUCU is the student's OU computer username. This can be found by visiting the student profile page on the OU website.

In addition to the university email address, the OU also offers a library card for students who wish to borrow books from the OU Library in Milton Keynes. However, the OU does not issue student ID cards. Students can apply for a student ID card through external services such as TOTUM, which offers both physical and digital cards. These cards can be used as proof of student status and provide access to additional discounts.

It is important to note that some student discount services may have specific requirements or restrictions. For example, TOTUM offers a free digital International Student Identity Card (ISIC) with their physical card, but the ISIC is only valid for 12 months. Students are advised to carefully review the terms and conditions of each service before signing up.

Students can get discounts on Spotify and Amazon Prime with their OU email address

Students at the Open University can get discounts on Spotify and Amazon Prime with their OU email address. Spotify offers a student discount for eligible college or university students. This includes students enrolled at an accredited college or university who are above the age of 18. The Spotify student discount is available for up to four years, with the need to renew and reverify every 12 months. Students can get a free month of Spotify Premium, followed by a discounted monthly subscription. In the US, the discounted rate is $2.99 per month, while in the UK, it is £5.99 per month. This is a significant discount compared to the regular price.

To claim the Spotify student discount, students need to visit the Spotify website and follow the instructions. They will need to create a Spotify account or log into an existing one and complete the verification process through a third-party platform called SheerID. Once the eligibility is confirmed, students can apply the Premium Student discount to a new or existing Spotify account. It is important to note that Spotify does not require students to register their student email address to their Spotify account to be eligible for the discount.

Similarly, Amazon Prime also offers a student discount. Amazon Prime Student is available to anyone with a valid .edu email address, which includes students at the Open University. Amazon Prime Student offers benefits such as free shipping, exclusive deals, and access to movies, TV shows, and books. The membership is usually free for six months, after which it is discounted to $79 per year or $6.49 per month.

In addition to Spotify and Amazon Prime, there are other services that offer student discounts that can be obtained with an OU email address. For example, UNiDAYS provides a range of discounts for students, including Apple Music and Apple Education Store. Students can sign up for a UNiDAYS account by providing their institution email address or student ID card.

The OU issues library cards to those who want to borrow books from the OU Library in Milton Keynes

The Open University (OU) issues library cards to those who want to borrow books from the OU Library in Milton Keynes. The OU does not issue student ID cards. However, you can apply for a library card, which is useful for certain things.

You can also apply for a TOTUM card, which is the new name for the NUS (National Union of Students) Extra card. This card proves your student status and gives you access to a wide range of discounts and offers. You can get a physical TOTUM card for a small fee, or you can use the app, which provides a digital student ID that most places accept for discounts.

Additionally, you can register for UNiDAYS and Student Beans, which are free platforms that offer student discounts. You can use your OU email address to sign up and verify your student status.

Students can access other academic libraries without an OU Library card

The Open University does not issue student ID cards. However, if you are a student at the Open University, you can access other academic libraries without an OU Library card by signing up for the SCONUL Access scheme. This is a national scheme in the UK that allows students and staff from over 200 member universities to use each other's libraries.

To be eligible for SCONUL Access, you must be living in the UK or the Republic of Ireland and be either an undergraduate or taught postgraduate student registered on a module of 30 credits or more, a postgraduate research student, or an employee on a permanent or fixed-term contract.

To apply for SCONUL Access, go to the OU Library website and click on "SCONUL Access Scheme." Choose "Distance Learning Student" in Step 1 and "Open University" in Step 2, then click "Find" and select your preferred member library. Fill in the application form with your name, OU email address, and OU Personal Identifier or Library barcode number if you have one. You will also need to provide a form of Photo ID, such as a passport or driver's license. The application process can take up to 21 working days. Once your application is approved, you will receive an official SCONUL Access Acceptance email, which you can use to join as many SCONUL Access member libraries as you wish.

It is important to note that some libraries may require additional registration or documentation, so it is recommended to contact your chosen library before your first visit to confirm their specific requirements.

Frequently asked questions