The 10 Best Student Freebies You Need to Know About

Student life is expensive. There’s no hiding it. Between rent, textbooks, nights out (and the occasional cheeky takeaway), your bank account can start looking a little sad. But don’t worry, there’s a whole world of free stuff for students out there, just waiting to be snapped up by you!

From discounts and giveaways to full-on freebies, being a student definitely has its perks if you know where to look. So, we’ve rounded up the 10 best student freebies that’ll help you save money and get the most out of uni life.

Best Freebies for Students

Student Bank Account Perks

Budgeting for students doesn’t come naturally to everyone. That’s why opening a student bank account can be a huge help. It’s not just about storing your student loan, either. It’s your golden ticket to free stuff. NatWest’s student bank account, for example, not only gives you access to a £2,000 interest-free overdraft, but also a Tastecard. With this, you can enjoy 2 for 1 meals, 50% off your food bill, and 25% off your entire bill at selected restaurants, along with discounts on cinema tickets, attractions and more perks. On top of that, they also provide you with a bunch of online support and tools, including budgeting, credit score advice, and savings, to make your life that little bit easier. 

Before applying, check out Save the Students to compare the best deals on your student bank account. They’ll often entice you with freebies, including RailCards and cash bonuses, so keep your eye out for the best deals and freebies before you head to uni in September. 

For international students, it's also worth downloading Monzo. This way, you can make fee-free transactions in the European Economic Area (EEA) and up to £200 per 30 days outside the EEA for cash withdrawals.

Word Processing Apps

As a student, there’s no need to fork out for Word or Google Docs extras. Most universities give you free access to Microsoft 365, including Word, Excel and PowerPoint, or Google Workspace for Education. Just sign in using your university email to get started. It’s perfect for essays, presentations, and last-minute coursework panics.

Free Subscriptions and Trials

Your student email unlocks some amazing student discounts and freebies on the apps you already use:

• Spotify Student: Enjoy ad-free listening, free for one month, and just £5.99 after.
• Amazon Prime Student: Access free 2-day shipping on eligible orders for 6 months!
• Headspace: Headspace is often offered for free through some universities, but you can also get 85% off it as a student. 67p per month is basically free, right?

You can find more of your favourites on Save the Student. Just be sure to cancel any trials before they renew if you don’t want to pay later!

Freshers’ Fair Loot

Freshers’ Fairs are basically Christmas for freebie hunters. From tote bags and notebooks to water bottles and even the odd slice of pizza, it’s freebies galore! Everything you need and never knew you needed, all in one place. And when it inevitably ends up at the bottom of your junk drawer, we won’t judge. It’s all part of the experience.

Student Nights and Free Entry 

Your uni experience isn’t complete without a night out in your new city. What better way to enjoy that than with free entry and the occasional free shot? From open mic nights to free-entry club events, student cities are buzzing with budget-friendly nights out. With club promoters often handing out drink tokens, don’t be afraid to get what you came for! Check out your local listings or your uni’s Student Union page to see what’s happening. And if you’re feeling social but don’t know what to do, aparto has planned student nights across all of their residences, so get in touch with your resident manager and ask them what’s on!

Transport Discounts 

Whether you’re heading home for the weekend or popping to Lidl, there are plenty of student transport deals to save your travel budget:

• 16–25 Railcard: Save 1/3 on train fares.
• Student bus passes: Savings depend on the city you’re studying in, but there are often weekly and monthly options to help you save.
• City bike hire discounts: Many schemes offer student rates, so check the prices out in your city!
• Uber: Pay £4.99 per month and save 5% on every trip you take. 

If you're living in Barcelona, you should really consider purchasing the T-jove; it's the most cost-effective travel pass, offering unlimited travel on public transport for 90 days straight from as little as €35,25. 

For under-29s, you can also purchase the Italo Young travel pass in Italy. With this, you can save up to 70% on smart tickets.

On top of this, you could even purchase a Eurail Youth Pass, allowing you to travel between participating European countries at a discounted rate: perfect for summer escapes.

It all adds up, especially if you're regularly out and about.

Mental Health and Wellbeing Services

Uni life can be overwhelming at times, but support is always available, and often totally free. Taking care of your well-being is just as important as your grades, so don’t hesitate to reach out. Most universities offer:

• Free counselling sessions
• Wellbeing workshops
• Mindfulness drop-ins
• Peer support groups
• On-campus mental health teams

aparto has partnered up with some fantastic organisations, so no matter where you are in the world, you’re only a few clicks away from mental health support. As an aparto resident, here’s what you can access 365 days of the year in your country:

• UK & Dublin: Kooth Student - A safe, anonymous platform where you can drop into live chats, book counselling sessions, or explore content and self-help tools whenever you need.
• Italy: Unobravo - An online therapy service, complete with qualified professionals to support you during your studies.
• Spain: Siquia Psicólogos - An online therapy platform that students can access mental health support through.

Fitness Freebies

Exercising is a crucial part of student life. Not only does it act as a stress relief during exam season, but it also gives you a boost of energy. It’s essential for both mental and physical health. As a student, it’s also super accessible!

For starters, you could join one of your university’s sports teams, whether that’s football, rugby, dance, or tennis. Whatever keeps your feet moving and blood pumping.

A lot of places also offer generous student discounts, including free gym days and taster sessions for classes like Zumba and yoga. And remember, if you stay at one of the aparto residences that have an on-site gym or fitness studio, it comes at no additional cost!

Academic Tools and Resources

Need help polishing that essay or referencing like a pro? These academic tools for students are free and super helpful:

• Grammarly: Check your grammar and tone for free with the basic version of Grammarly. 
• Zotero: Reference manager for essays and dissertations.
• Google Scholar: Discover free academic articles across a wide variety of disciplines and sources.
• Library access: Most uni libraries offer free eBooks, journals, and quiet study spaces.

These tools can save hours, and possibly your grades, too!

Food and Coffee

The holy grail of student freebies? It has to be food and coffee. Here’s where you can make the most of it:

• Too Good To Go: Download the app to get heavily discounted or free food that cafes would otherwise bin.
• Pret Coffee Trial: For just £5 a month, you can enjoy 50% off up to 5 drinks a day.
• Campus food trucks: Look out for sampling days or promo events!
• aparto events: Think pizza nights, BBQs and bake-offs, free for all of our residents. You heard that right. Sometimes, free pizza is just downstairs.

Make the Most Out of aparto’s Perks

When you live at aparto, the freebies don’t stop at check-in. From our social events (including movie and game nights) and study spaces, to on-site gyms and communal areas, residents can enjoy it all for free. 

Conclusion

Student life doesn’t have to break the bank; you just need to know where to look. With these money-saving tips, you can enjoy everything from fitness and food to travel and tech, totally free (or nearly!). So, whether you’re bagging a free coffee or joining a fitness class, it all adds up to a smarter, savvier student experience.

At aparto, the perks just keep on coming, so why miss out? Book your stay with us today.