Make the most of your loan this term with the best student discounts

We’ve all seen the TikToks asking students how much they spent during freshers and the responses can be mind-boggling.

Even though freshers week is now over, the expenses are still piling up and we want to make the most out of all the discounts available to students. We are only human and Exeter has a wonderful selection of shops and cafés to enjoy, but why not enjoy them at a lower price?

Student discounts are a blessing but they can be very difficult to keep track of so we are going to do all the work for you and your wallet can thank us later! 

Advice 

Our first tip would be to download Student Beans and UNiDAYs to access your digital IDs. Most shops will either ask for your Student ID card or to see the online IDs so having that prepared in advance can be a life saver! It is also a fantastic way to keep track of upcoming deals as well as saving and tracking your favourite spots. Don’t be afraid to ask in shops and cafés if they run any student deals- the worst they can say is no! These deals can be subject to change so check on the app to see which deals are still valid.

If you do have a wide range of things on your shopping list then we would recommend getting your hands on some tickets to the yearly Princesshay Strictly Students event!

This year is on Thursday the 1st of October from 6-8pm and there will be all kinds of discounts and freebies on offer, as well as live DJs, a silent disco and various activities! Tickets are free and available on Eventbrite.

They have a list of all of the discounts available on their website, including but not limited to: Flying Tiger, Hollister, Crew Clothing, Le Creuset, truly everything an Exeter student could ever want. It is such a fun event and definitely worth giving a go! 

Groceries

M&S goodies

As students, we know the biggest expense, second to nights out, is food, so here are the best grocery deals to start off our list. 

CO-OP

Co-op has a 20% student discount when you shop in-store at a southern co-op, check for participating stores. The voucher is on Student Beans.

M&S

25% off food on the move at M&S for students using UNiDAYs

Most supermarkets also offer rewards systems and it is worth signing up for them if you are going to use the same place for your weekly shop. Clubcard, Nectarcard, Sparks Card- Get the lot!

Cafés

We are all guilty of indulging in the occasional coffee run, but wouldn’t it taste so much better if you know you were saving money at the same time. Here are list of Exeter cafes running student discounts right now!

BLACK SHEEP

Black Sheep opened last week in Exeter, but did you know that you can get £2 hot/iced drinks every Monday using your UNiDAYs ID? They also offer 20% off of the full menu during the week in store. Those coffee study dates have suddenly got a whole lot cheaper!

STARBUCKS

If those £2 hot drinks from Black Sheep can’t quite satisfy your weekly cravings, then head over to Starbucks on a Tuesday for their £2 hot or £2.50 cold drinks (the tall size). The start of the week has suddenly got a whole lot more caffeinated! They also offer 20% off selected food and drink.

COSTA COFFEE

Costa has a 10% student discount through both Student Beans and UNiDAYs when you present a valid student ID- that Exeter ID card does more than just getting you into the gym!

KNOOPS

Need your chocolate fix? Knoops offers £2 drinks (on selected drinks) on Mondays. They also have a 15% student discount on selected drinks all week.

GREGGS

Not something that will satisfy your coffee needs but GREGGS offer a free sausage roll (or a vegan roll) with every cold sandwich deal purchase if you use your Student Beans ID. 

KRISPY KREME

Krispy Kreme offer a 12% student discount on doughnuts, coffee, milkshakes and some limited items in-store using student ID and online for Nationwide Deliveries and Click and Collect orders. Suddenly that sweet treat feels that bit better!

Lots of independent cafés in Exeter also offer loyalty schemes so if chains aren’t your vibe but you would still like to get some discounted or free drinks then you should ask in store. Although they may not offer direct student discounts loyalty schemes are a good alternative if you’re willing to pay a bit more but would still like to feel appreciated. 

Food 

For the times when you don’t quite feel like cooking for yourself but still want to keep things cheap. 

CôTE

Côte offers a 20% student discount on dine in food Sunday-Thursday using UNiDAYs, valid for groups up to 6 people.

For a limited time only, you can also get any of their ‘Icon’ mains for only £10 once you download the app. Simply scan the QR code at checkout to redeem!

BOOM BATTLE BAR

25% off of food and drink at the Boom Battle Bar. Rally the troops and prepare for an especially fun night out. 

FRANCO MANCA

20% off of food and drink at Franco Manca. £12 minimum spend, Sunday-Thursday, eat-in only. They also do other offers during the year including £6 pizza for students and competitions throughout the year so keep an eye out for those!

BELLA ITALIA

40% off food from Sunday to Thursday using your Student Beans ID (valid until the 31st of October)!

Most Read

The full Celebrity Traitors 2026 episode schedule as day change is confirmed

‘My arm is about to bust’: What death row inmate Christa Pike said during failed lethal injection

Chris Watts ends prison relationship and calls off his jail wedding just weeks after it went public

PIZZA EXPRESS

30% off your bill when dining in the restaurant from Sunday to Friday (this is a temporary offer so head over sooner rather than later). They also do a meal deal where if you buy a pizza or a main, the second is £1, great if you’re extremely hungry or fancy splitting the price with a friend!

GDK

Need a post night-out eat? German Donner Kebab has a 15% student discount.

POPEYES

Popeyes has a 20% student discount with a £5 minimum spend.

YO!

 Although not a student discount, Yo Sushi offer Bottomless Belt on Thursdays. £34.95 each for cold dishes from the belt from 4pm–8pm. They do have a student discount but it is not currently available for the Exeter branch.

Clothes 

Start of the new year? Only makes sense to have a budget shopping spree for a whole new Exeter wardrobe.

HOLLISTER

15% everything freshers discount head on over whilst it is still valid!

ABYL

Looking for inspiration to actually go to the gym? A new set can do just that and AYBL offers a 10% student discount online.

SWEATY BETTY

Sweaty Betty offer a 20% student discount on full price items.

NEW LOOK

10% Student discount.

OLIVER BONAS

10% student discount with Student Beans.

H&M

Home and fashion 10% student discount.

Beauty/cosmetics 

Skincare and makeup is expensive! Don’t let these discounts go to waste. 

SUPERDRUG

10% student discount.

BOOTS

Boots has a 10% student discount if you sync it with your Advantage Card.

Home

Finally, to really settle into your new accommodation, having all the decorations and utensils is essential. Check out these homeware goodies!

PROCOOK

ProCook have a 10% student discount in store when you spend £30. Great for high quality kitchen utensils. 

Other shops also have home items available under the student discount such as Oliver Bonas and H&M. 

John Lewis can also offer student deals and has the John Lewis ‘Anyday’ line aimed at students with slightly cheaper items.

Other budget hacks 

If you haven’t already tried the Too Good To Go app then you should give it a try. Many of the most popular spots in Exeter offer surprise bags of unsold food from places such as YO Sushi, Pizza Express and Starbucks. It can be a fun way of having a cheap and easy meal. You could also make an evening out of it with friends each buying a bag from various places and having the worlds most mixed up meal!

There is also a Community Fridge outside the library in the Forum where you can donate unused food or take something that someone else didn’t need. A great way to reduce waste but also to try something different.

If you are stressed about money after starting uni please do not feel afraid to ask for help. It is a big adjustment and it is worth taking note of the services that the uni has to offer. You can speak to the Uni’s wellbeing services or the Advice Team at the Guild who provide free and confidential support.