The best student discounts, deals and shopping hacks for 2024

Heading to uni? Get organised with all the best student discounts and deals and life hacks you need to know at SouthGate Bath.

Whether it’s the best places for two-for-one cocktails, burgers and pizza; deals for students on tech, nights out, travel, fashion, beauty and the essential loyalty cards and student discount schemes, we’ve got everything you need to know for the new term.

The student essentials

First thing’s first – sign up for the TOTUM card and app from the NUS which will give you discounts at brands including SouthGate Bath’s Oliver Bonas, Office, Pandora, Lululemon, Levi’s, Zara, Urban Outfitters, Hotel Chocolat, Hollister and more (see the full list here)…

Once you have that – make sure you keep checking our student offers page for the latest deals, menus and discounts.

Download the UNiDAYS and Student Beans apps to get even more brilliant discounts (including the £9.95 pizza and drink bundle at Franco Manca and a free vegan or sausage roll at Greggs).

There are lots of offers to be had when setting up bank accounts and phones too – Monzo do amazing cashback offers at brands including Krispy Kreme and Yo!; Natwest offers a four-year Tastecard which gives 25% off at Burger King while Santander covers your railcard.

But, be mindful of hidden fees and overdraft interest… Money Saving Expert has a great guide here.

Food and drink student discounts galore

Flex your student discounts at Brewdog (25% off), Caffe Nero (25% off), Hotel Chocolat (10% off), Nando’s (25% off), GBK (20% off), Thaikhun (20% off), Pizza Express (ever-changing deals) and Yo! (£3.25 katsu curry with UNiDAYS).

Check the websites for the latest details and details that apply – deals change all the time with special offers for students popping up all year round. It’s also worth knowing about Cosy Club’s loyalty card and bottomless brunch and Brewdog’s two-for-one lunchtime burgers, so keep checking our offers page.

Fashion discounts

If you’re away for the first time, think comfort. A stylish-and-very-practical winter coat, waterproof trainers or boots, a comfy onesie you can climb into after a long day and a cosy beanie will get you through the first term without a case of freshers’ flu (hopefully).

With UNiDAYS and Student Beans, you can get discounts at SouthGate Bath stores including Oliver Bonas, Accessorize, H&M, Tommy Hilfiger, Hollister, Levi’s, Kiko Milano, Pandora, Urban Outfitters and more.

Student beauty offers to know

You know your self-care routine so let’s get to the important bit: your student beauty discounts. Sign up for Boots loyalty card for discounted prices and vouchers and get a student discount at Urban Outfitters.

Essential tech for students

Tech wise you really need the following: a laptop, phone, chargers, an extension cable, headphones for noisy libraries, a portable hard drive and, possibly, an ethernet cable so you can connect directly to the router. A lamp and Bluetooth speaker can be handy too. Apple offers special prices for students.

Going out

Keep an eye on special student nights, workouts and offers…

• Everyman Bath has a host of late-night evenings, throwback classic movies and live theatre, opera and ballet. See what’s on here. They also do discounted tickets for students.
• Head to LUDO Sports bar for big screens and a sweeping roof terrace with 10% off for students.
• Be At One has cocktails for £5 Sunday to Friday, Happy Hours and £6 student cocktails all week.
• Brewdog has a filled calendar of entertaining events including cocktail tasting, dog pawties, Wings Wednesdays, quiz nights on Tuesdays. Full line-up is here.
• Juno is famous for its slushy cocktails and pool tables – don’t miss their £6 lunch deals too.
• The Gym Group also have some great student deals.

Stationery and books student discounts

If you’re away for the first time, you’ll need a host of documents (offer letter, accommodation details, valid ID etc) so keep them safe and locked up in a handy folder that has everything you need when you need it.

Useful tip: make a list of useful phone numbers/bank account details/emergency contacts in a small notebook in case you lose your phone.

Invest in pens, notebook, academic diary, highlighters, Post-its and a noticeboard so you can meet deadlines and make notes without any stress. Head to Typo with your student discount.

Interiors hacks for your room

The most useful things you can take to uni (outside of plates, glasses, bowls, cutlery, pan and a baking tray) are:

• A laundry bin (great for storage and moving around)
• An over-the-door coat hook (you can never have too many hooks)
• Collapsible storage for under the bed and on shelves
• A kettle so you can make tea and coffee in your room
• A bathroom caddy to keep all your stuff in
• A cheering rug and duvet set can make all the difference
• A decent mirror

Be inspired at Oliver Bonas, Urban Outfitters and Typo.

Other bits and pieces

Plasters, scissors, tweezers, daily Vitamin C, bin bags, bottle and tin openers and kitchen roll. These are the everyday things you’ll be so grateful you remembered. Pick up everything you need at Boots and Sainsbury’s.

Travel

Always check for student discounts on buses and trains (it’s definitely worth getting the 16-25 railcard) and split any taxi rides via an app.

Stay in the know

Make sure you know about the latest student events, deals and offers. Sign up to our newsletter here.

*All details correct as of July 2024