The Best Supermarkets for Students

When pennies make pounds, and pounds fund your big nights out, every little helps (no pun intended). Student life is basically a balancing act between eating well, saving money, and still having enough left for that spontaneous takeaway. 

Choosing the right supermarket can make a bigger difference than you might think, and it can be quite tricky to navigate, especially if you’re shopping as an international student. Some stores are brilliant for cheap staples, others shine when it comes to discounts and loyalty cards, and a select few are surprisingly good for online delivery when you can’t face carrying bags back to your student accommodation.

So if you’re trying to manage your money a little better as a student, here’s how to find the best value supermarkets that UK students rely on…

Choosing the Best Supermarket for You

There isn’t one, perfect “best UK supermarket” for everyone. The right choice usually depends on a few things, like:

• Location: The closest shop often wins when you’re carrying heavy bags back to your accommodation.

• Price vs. Brands: Best value supermarkets often focus on cheaper own-brand alternatives rather than branded products.

• Student Discounts: Whether it’s loyalty cards, rewards schemes, or apps offering supermarket student discounts, these can all save quite a bit of cash over time.

• Delivery Options: Supermarkets like Iceland offer the best value supermarket delivery for big shops that you need delivered to your door. 

Depending on what they need that week, students even mix and match where they get their ingredients from.

List of the Best Value Supermarkets in the UK

One of the things you should know before starting uni is how many supermarket options you have. The UK has a bunch of different supermarkets, from budget-friendly stores that focus on lower prices to larger chains packed with loyalty schemes and weekly deals. 

Aldi 

Aldi is widely considered the best value supermarket in the UK that shoppers up and down the country turn to for cheap groceries. In fact, price comparisons frequently rank it as the best supermarket if your main goal is to keep costs low. You’ll also find rotating Aldi deals, alongside seasonal promotions like Aldi wine deals and discounted snacks. While there are no specific Aldi student discounts, you can occasionally save through Student Beans with up to 20% off deals, Save the Student initiatives (such as “Magic Bags” which you can purchase through the Too Good To Go app), and special student-focused range releases.

Lidl

Another strong contender for the best value supermarket in the UK, and also Aldi’s closest rival, is Lidl. Students love its bakery section, regular Lidl deals, and the infamous Lidl middle aisle deals, where you’ll find kitchen gadgets one week and a 2-man canoe the next. With the Lidl Plus app, you can also unlock bonus coupons and extra discounts.

Farmfoods

Perfect for stocking up on frozen food and bulk deals, many students opt for Farmfoods when they want large packs of food that lasts that little bit longer. Offering regular vouchers and freezer-friendly options, it’s a surprisingly strong choice for budget shopping.

Iceland

Iceland’s deals are particularly popular among students who want quick dinners. If your cooking motivation disappears after a long day of lectures, then it’s one of the best supermarkets offering ready meals that can go straight from your freezer to your microwave.

Tesco

Home to the much-loved Tesco Clubcard, unlocking discounts on hundreds of products, Tesco is one of the most widely available supermarkets in the country. For many students, combining Tesco Clubcard savings with the occasional Tesco student discount makes it one of the best supermarket deal options around.

Asda

Asda is well-known for affordable groceries and large multipacks of your favourite-branded goodies that students rely on when shopping for shared housing.

There are plenty of offers and student discounts that Asda offers through their partnerships with Totum, Student Beans, and UNiDAYS, helping you to cut costs down even further. Some of the offers also extend to clothing through Asda George’s student discounts, so if you’re in need of some new lounging-around-the-house clothes, you know where to head!

Morrisons

A solid all-rounder is Morrisons. There are always plenty of Morrisons deals going on, whether it’s on their fresh food sections or that sweet treat you’ve been eyeing up all week. And if you’re hosting pre-drinks or just having a wholesome night in, you won’t want to miss out on Morrisons’ wine deals, so keep your eyes peeled! 

Sainsbury’s

Sainsbury’s might be slightly higher on the price scale, but using the Sainsbury’s Nectar Card can help to balance things out. This scheme collects points every time you shop, which can later be turned into vouchers for groceries or rewards.

Co-op

The ultimate emergency shop? The Co-op.

You’ll usually find one just around the corner from your student accommodation. Prices can be slightly higher, but Co-op deals and member discounts sometimes make quick meals surprisingly affordable and extremely convenient.

Marks & Spencer

Okay, Marks & Spencer doesn’t exactly scream “student budget”, but it does occasionally surprise people. For starters, M&S’s student discounts give you 25% off their Food on the Move range. 

The Best Supermarket Deals and Student Discounts on Groceries

Supermarkets know that students love a bargain, which is why many of them offer loyalty schemes, reward apps, and exclusive student discounts. From points systems that turn your weekly shop into future vouchers to apps that unlock extra discounts at the checkout, these deals can make a surprisingly big difference to your food budget over the course of a term.

Lidl Plus and Deals

While there’s no year-round Lidl student discount, they do have the occasional offer on Student Beans and UNiDAYS, so keep your eyes peeled! On top of this, the Lidl Plus app unlocks exclusive coupons, extra discounts, and weekly Lidl deals. It’s completely free to download and takes seconds to scan at checkout.

Tesco Clubcard and Student Discounts

Tesco’s Clubcard is one of the best-known supermarket loyalty schemes in the UK. Scanning it gives you instant access to discounted prices across hundreds of products, and occasional promotions that make it even better.

Sainsbury’s Nectar Card and Student Discounts

Imagine getting rewarded for doing your weekly food shop… That’s exactly what Sainsbury’s Nectar Card does! Collect your points when you shop for your groceries and spend them again later.

Farmfoods Deals

Farmfoods regularly releases money-off vouchers and bulk-buy discounts, perfect for stocking up your freezer.

Aldi Deals

While Aldi doesn’t run a loyalty scheme, its weekly Aldi deals and low prices already make it one of the cheapest options around.

M&S Student Discount

The M&S student discount usually only applies to the Food on the Move range, so you can save on your sandwiches, snacks, and drinks.

Morrisons Deals

Using its Morrisons More app, you’ll have access to hundreds of promotions and Morrisons deals throughout the year. Keep your eyes peeled!

Free Delivery at Iceland

One of the best supermarket delivery services comes from Iceland. Not only is it a budget-friendly supermarket, but its free delivery is a huge plus for students who don’t have a car. After all, who wants to be lugging six bags of shopping back to their accommodation?

Asda Student Discount

While it’s not available year-round, you’ll sometimes find Asda student discounts on apps like UNiDAYS (if you’re lucky!) So keep a close eye on them, and you might just bag yourself a bargain. 

Co-op Deals and Student Discounts

Co-op’s deals and member promotions can make those top-up shops much cheaper.

Ocado Student Discount

Often considered one of the best online supermarkets in the UK (and according to The Guardian have the best supermarket pizzas in the UK), is Ocado, all thanks to its huge product range and delivery options. Ocado’s student discounts do come with a range of terms and conditions depending on the app you’re using, so make sure you check the details before placing your order. These Ocado deals for students are usually available on platforms like Student Beans and often only apply to your first few shops when you spend a certain amount. 

Tips on Getting the Best Value for Your Food Shop

Whether you’re spending your maintenance loan or splashing the cash you made from one of your student side hustles, getting the best value for your food shop helps your money last a little bit longer.

Find the Best Value Supermarket Near You

The best value supermarket isn’t always the one with the lowest prices; sometimes it’s just the one that’s closest to your student accommodation. Let’s be honest; a cheap shop suddenly becomes much less appealing when you’ve got to lug it all back home. If you can walk there in ten minutes and avoid delivery fees (along with those sneaky additional picking & packaging fees that really start adding up), you’re already winning!

Download Student Discount Apps

If you’re not using student discount apps already, you’re basically saying no to free money. 

Apps like Student Beans and UNiDAYS regularly unlock student discount groceries, supermarket vouchers, and limited-time deals. It only takes a few seconds to check before you shop, and you will probably end up saving enough for your weekly take-out coffee.

Plan Your Weekly Shops

Going to the supermarket without a plan is a dangerous game to play (especially if you’re shopping while you’re hungry).

You might just go in for pasta and milk, but somehow leave with five snacks, four frozen pizzas, three tins of beans, two bottles of condiments, and absolutely nothing that resembles a proper meal. Planning your weekly shop (even if it’s just a rough idea) helps you stick to your list and avoid the classic student budgeting trap of buying impulse snacks.

FAQs

Still have a few questions about student supermarket shopping? From delivery costs to meal deals, here are some of the most common things students ask before heading off on their weekly food shop:

Can you tell me how to get a student discount?

Major supermarkets understand the struggles students face when it comes to finances and food shops; that’s why many of them offer student discounts, although this depends on your supermarket of choice.

Some require you to have a specific app, like Student Beans and UNiDAYS, while others you just have to flash your student ID. If you’re unsure, check your supermarket’s website, or you could even ask when you get to the till!

Does Iceland offer free delivery?

Yes! Iceland’s free delivery for the very next day is applied to all online orders of £40 and over. Plus, if you head into their store, you can even enjoy same-day delivery on your orders of £40+.

How much is an Iceland delivery under £35?

For starters, you have to order at least £25 worth of groceries to qualify for any kind of delivery. If your order is under £40, a small basket charge of £4 is then applied. On top of this, there’s also a £2 picking and packing fee. Your delivery cost is then determined by the day and time of drop off, but shouldn’t be more than £4.

Which is the cheapest supermarket in the UK?

For the cheapest food shop, head to Aldi; it frequently beats its competitors on the price of a basket of groceries in 2026. However, if brands are important, Tesco (especially when using its Clubcard scheme), is your next best option, recently beating Asda in terms of affordability. 

Do Aldi do meal deals?

Unlike many other supermarkets, Aldi doesn’t offer meal deals. However, you can shop from their “grab and go” section, where you can purchase a sandwich, wrap or pasta along with a drink and snack of your choice without breaking the bank.

What is the Best Supermarket for Online Shopping in the UK?

Tesco tops the table overall for its service, range, and Clubcard value. Offering the best app and extensive range, Tesco also price matches over 600 products with Aldi, so you get the best of both worlds with this supermarket. 

Making the Most of Student Living

Finding the best supermarket as a student isn’t just about saving money: it’s about making student life easier. 

Whether you’re hunting for the best supermarket ready meals, grabbing quick snacks between lectures, or comparing the best supermarket deals, knowing where to shop can make your budget stretch that much further. And if it means you’ve got a little extra money left over for the fun parts of student life? Even better.

And when you’re living a whole lot closer to shops, cafés, and everything else you need, student life becomes a lot simpler. At aparto, our student accommodation is designed to put you in the heart of the city. So your weekly food shop, coffee run, or late-night snack mission is never too far away. Ready to secure your stay? Book your aparto accommodation near your university city today.