Surviving uni on a budget: The ultimate guide to Durham’s best student deals and discounts

On a student budget, every penny counts – and we all know paying full price when you don’t have to as a student is humbling (and has happened to me more times than I’d like to admit). But don’t worry, because Durham’s large student population means the city is geared to helping students out. This guide will direct you to some of the best student discounts and deals that Durham has to offer. 

Disclaimer: These deals are subject to change and it’s always worth checking the T’s and C’s to see the specific days and times that apply to these discounts. 

Must haves

Unidays and Student Beans: If you don’t have these apps already, where have you been?! These are absolute essentials for any student, providing student discounts for a variety of shops, eateries and more. Keep an eye on these, as new places get added all the time.

Mixr App: Mixr is a drinks app which can be used at many of the bars and pubs in Durham, such as The Library and The Three Bridges, two popular spots with a lively student scene. You can rack up points to earn rewards and access student-friendly prices, so it’s an app definitely worth having. 

Tesco Clubcard: This technically isn’t a student deal, but there are so many Tescos in Durham that a Clubcard is an absolute must to save money and access cheaper prices.

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Your campus card: My friends will say this is a rogue suggestion, but in my opinion having your campus card on you is always useful as a physical form of verifying you’re a student. This can be used for travel discounts, the Botanic Gardens, and bottomless brunch. 

Food

Tortilla: Starting off strong with Tortilla, their £5 burrito Mondays for students is amazing value for money. Last year, Mondays were also the day when hake featured most prominently on the catered college menu, so this was a true godsend. For the biggest range of burrito fillings, make sure to arrive earlier rather than later. As if they hadn’t already won us over, Tortilla offers a 10 per cent student discount during the rest of the week as well.

Pizza Express: With Unidays, Pizza Express has 20 per cent off for students from Sunday to Friday. Also, keep an eye out for deals throughout the year like ‘Buy One Pizza, Get One for a Pound’ which was a huge win last year.

The Greek Guy: The Greek Guy’s deal means you can get two wraps for £10, with different chicken and halloumi options to choose from. Located right round the corner from Elvet Riverside, this is a quick, easy and affordable option if you want a break from studying in what is arguably Durham’s least picturesque building, the Student Union. 

Belli e Brutti: Again, whilst technically not a student discount, an honourable mention goes to Belli e Brutti’s £4.50 margherita folded pizzas which are worth every penny and not to be missed – eating them on Palace Green in front of the cathedral is a Durham student staple.

Drinks and Nightlife

Babylon: £1 shots and bombs all night is arguably the best student drinks deal in Durham and sounds too good to be true (but isn’t!). Cheapskates prices at Babs on Wednesdays and Fridays have the ultimate drinks deals. As well as shots and bombs for £1, doubles are only £2.50. Tickets are a pound on Fridays when you buy early enough too, so overall Babs is a great budget-friendly option.

The Library: This bar (which has nothing to do with actual libraries) has some great student drinks deals and rewards systems through the Mixr app. Also, on Thursdays all cocktails are £3.75 which is a bargain.

The Boat Club: A student favourite that feels classy enough to take your parents when they come to visit, The Boat Club’s deal for two for one cocktails is a great way to celebrate (or commiserate) any occasion.

Clubs: One of the perks of clubbing in Durham is that many clubs have free entry, a fact which has outraged some of my friends at other unis! Clubs like Jimmy’s, Ozzy’s and Klute are all free to visit, making them great options if you want to save money but still go out. The trade-off is that you will inevitably be forced to endure the Max Verstappen/Espresso remix that plays every night in Jimmy’s…

And generally, just look out for drinks deals on the TVs in clubs and bars if you want to save money, as they often advertise saver drinks deals.

Bottomless Brunch: Both The Library and Slug and Lettuce offer Student Bottomless Brunch for £25 with a valid student ID. Bottomless brunch was responsible for some of my funniest moments in my first year; our record was 9 drinks ordered each within the 90 minutes (which works out to under £3 per drink). 

Travel

Students can get half-price bus tickets by showing your physical student ID on buses in Durham  (and from experience, no, they don’t accept other forms of ID, like a screenshot of your Durham email account). 

Things to Do

Botanic Gardens: Your Durham student ID gets you into the Botanic Gardens for free and it is one of the most cost-effective ways to relax in Durham. Located on the hill behind Grey and Collingwood, the gardens are lovely to study in the sun, have a picnic with friends or reconnect with nature after a particularly heavy night out.

Gala Theatre: The Gala Theatre’s cinema in the city centre has tickets for £5 for nearly all screenings, regardless of the day or time, which many students make the most of.