Unidays or Student Beans or Totum - which student discount platform is better?
In the UK, student discounts are widely available to those enrolled in a university or college program. These discounts are available from Unidays or Student Beans or Totum. The offers can range from reductions on transportation, entertainment, food, and even technology products. These discounts are given to students as a way to attract their business and to help those who may be on a limited budget (yeah right!). To take advantage of these discounts, students either have to show a valid student ID card or register with a student discount platform.
Unidays and Student Beans are two popular student discount platforms in the UK. But there are more. These kind of platforms offer a wide range of discounts and deals from various brands and retailers, including fashion, beauty, technology, and travel. Some offers appear on both sites, and some offers are exclusive to one of the other. With the student engine, you can find out which platform offers the best discount for any retailer.
How the student discount search engine works
Behind the student discount search engine is a very large spreadsheet that contains all of the details of current offers from the most popular student discount website. It automatically gets data from:
Search for the shop you are planning on spending at, and see what offers are available on each of the sites.
My Cashback Tools: Find the Best Deals Instantly
Stop wasting time checking multiple apps for the best supermarket gift card rates. Our tool instantly compares cashback percentages across all major platforms including TopCashback, Jam Doughnut, EverUp, and more. Updated daily to ensure you always get the highest possible cashback on your grocery shopping.
Complete Guide to Cashback: Everything You Need to Know
I’ve listed the best cashback platforms above, but if you want to really make the most of cashback, there’s more to know. Here’s how these sites actually work, and some tricks to get even more money back.
Save Money on Every Purchase with Top UK Cashback Sites and Apps
As prices for everyday essentials continue to rise, finding ways to cut costs is more important than ever. According to recent data, UK households spend an average of £3,800 a year on groceries (NimbleFins | AHDB). Households also spend an average of £1000 a year on fuel to get around (Office for National Statistics). With this in mind, cashback websites and apps offer a simple way to reduce your spending by earning money back on purchases you already make.
Many supermarkets and retailers also budget cashback offers into their pricing strategies, meaning that by not using these platforms, you’re leaving money on the table. It’s a smart and easy way to cut costs on your everyday essentials like groceries and fuel, without changing your shopping habits.
How Much Can You Save with Cashback Sites?
By taking advantage of cashback offers on everyday purchases, you can recieve anywhere from 1% to 10% back at the supermarket and almost every other shop (online and in-store). Some platforms even provide bonuses for first-time users or for referring friends (check out the list below), allowing you to maximize your rewards.
For example, supermarkets generally offer around 4% cashback on groceries and fuel. Using the official numbers, a typical household could potentially save up to £192 per year (4% of £4,800) through cashback offers on groceries and fuel. This makes cashback platforms a valuable tool for cutting down on regular expenses like food and fuel.
What Are Cashback Websites and How Do They Work?
Cashback websites act as intermediaries between shoppers and retailers. When you click through a cashback site before making a purchase, the cashback site earns a commission from the retailer for referring you. Instead of keeping all that commission, the cashback site shares a portion with you – that’s your “cashback”.
Types of UK Cashback Platforms Compared
Cashback Debit Cards
Several UK banks and FinTech companies now offer debit cards with built-in cashback features. Uphold offers 1% cashback on almost all spending (details here). Current accounts like Chase, Nationwide FlexDirect, and Santander’s Edge account also have cashback debit cards – although there are stricter restrictions on what qualifies for cashback on these bank debit cards.
Traditional Cashback Websites
Sites like TopCashback and Quidco focus primarily on online shopping. You visit the cashback site first, then click through to the retailer to shop as normal. They offer the widest range of retailer partnerships and often the highest rates for big purchases like holidays, insurance, and utilities. Best for: planned online shopping and switching service providers.
Cashback Apps
Apps like EverUp, Airtime Rewards, and Jam Doughnut specialize in mobile shopping and gift card purchases. They typically offer instant cashback when you buy gift cards for in-store use. Best for: high-street shopping and retail purchases.
Card-Linked Offers
Services that connect directly to your payment cards (like Airtime Rewards) track purchases automatically without needing to visit a website first. You simply register your card once, then earn cashback whenever you shop at participating retailers. Best for: everyday spending where you might forget to claim cashback.
Receipt Scanning Apps
Apps that reward you for uploading photos of your shopping receipts after purchase. While technically not pure cashback, these complement cashback sites well. Best for: claiming multiple rewards from a single shopping trip. Check out my complete list of cashback debit cards to find the best options.
Cashback Debit Cards
Several UK banks now offer debit cards with built-in cashback features. Cards like Chase’s 1% cashback debit card, Santander’s Edge account, and Halifax Cashback Extras provide automatic cashback on everyday spending without requiring any additional apps or websites. These typically offer lower rates (0.5-1%) than specialized cashback platforms but work completely passively. Best for: everyday spending where convenience is prioritized over maximum returns.
Pro tip: For maximum rewards, combine multiple cashback methods – use a cashback debit card while also shopping through cashback websites or apps. This way you’ll earn both the cashback from the platform AND from your card. Check out my complete list of receipt scanning apps to find the best options.
Most cashback sites are free to join, though some premium services like NX Rewards charge a monthly fee (which can typically be reclaimed if you remember to do so each month).
Top Student Discount Categories for Maximum Savings
Groceries and Everyday Essentials
With food prices much higher than they ever were, supermarket cashback should be an essential for all households. Supermarket gift cards typically offer 3-5% cashback, with occasional promotions pushing this to 7-10%. Most UK supermarkets participate, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s, ASDA, Morrisons, and Waitrose.
Popular apps for supermarket cashback include EverUp, Jam Doughnut, and TopCashback’s TopGiftcards service.
Travel and Holidays
Travel bookings often feature the highest cashback percentages:
- Hotels: 5-12% on major booking sites
- Flights: 1-4% on airlines and comparison sites
- Package holidays: 2-8% on travel agencies
- Car hire: 6-12% on rental services
TopCashback and Quidco typically offer the best travel cashback rates. Always book travel through these platforms to avoid leaving significant money on the table.
Energy and Utility Switching
Energy, broadband, and mobile contract switches can earn substantial fixed cashback amounts:
- Energy suppliers: £30-£60 per switch
- Broadband packages: £50-£120 for new contracts
- Mobile contracts: £30-£100 for new plans
Quidco Compare and TopCashback often have exclusive utility switching deals that other platforms can’t match.
Banking and Financial Products
Financial products offer some of the highest-value cashback opportunities:
- Credit cards: £10-£30 for approved applications
- Current accounts: £50-£150 for switching banks
- Insurance policies: 5-25% cashback on premiums
- Investment platforms: £50-£250 for new accounts (depending on deposit amount)
Always check the specific requirements to qualify for financial product cashback, as these often have the strictest terms.
Common Student Discount Problems and Solutions
Verification Issues
Discount Not Applied
Geographic Restrictions
Post-Graduation Access
Is the Maintenance Loan Enough?
Based on the National Student Money Survey (September 2024), the average student living costs of £1,104 per month significantly exceed the maximum Maintenance Loan available in most regions. This creates a monthly shortfall that must be covered through other means:
- Average annual living costs: £13,248 (£1,104 × 12 months).
- Maximum Maintenance Loan (outside London): £9,978 per year.
- Average annual shortfall: £3,270.
This shortfall explains why 75% of students report being constantly stressed about money and why effective use of student discount platforms has become essential rather than optional. By strategically using our discount comparison tool, students can reduce this gap by £560-£1,600 annually.
Student Discount FAQ
Can I use student discounts online and in-store?
Yes, though the method varies. Online typically uses discount codes, while in-store requires either digital verification through apps or physical student ID/Totum card.
Can international students access all UK student discounts?
Yes, as long as you’re enrolled at a recognized UK institution. Some verification processes may be more challenging for international students, but all platforms support international student status.
How long do student discounts last?
Most platforms require annual verification to ensure you’re still a student. Some subscriptions like Amazon Prime Student have a maximum term (4 years).
Which platform is best for online shopping?
StudentBeans typically offers the highest number of online retailer discounts, while Unidays often has the best user experience for discovering new offers.
Is Totum worth paying for when Unidays and StudentBeans are free?
It depends on your spending habits. If you regularly use public transportation, eat at Co-op, or visit cinemas, the Totum card can pay for itself within 1-2 months. Our calculator below can help you decide.
Can I share student discount codes with friends?
No. This violates the terms of service for all platforms and can result in account termination. Many retailers now use single-use codes to prevent sharing. But that does not stop us helping each other out on r/beermoneyuk.
How do student discounts compare to other money-saving methods?
Student discounts can be stacked with cashback, rewards programs, and seasonal sales for maximum savings. Our separate guide on cashback platforms shows how to combine these approaches effectively.
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