Every year, thousands of students, teachers and educational staff splash out on Apple kit they could have bought for much less, simply because they didn't know the Education Store existed. We're talking up to $200 off the best MacBooks for students, up to $130 off an Apple Watch, and half-price Apple Music. You can even save $100 on the already-cheap MacBook Neo... which means you can get an Apple laptop for as little as $499/£499!
The scheme is broader than most people realise, too. You don't need to be a student to qualify: parents buying devices for their children, teachers, and other education staff are all eligible to get big savings on everything from the 13-inch MacBook Air to the iPad Air M4.
Best of all, Apple's education prices are available all year round, with an additional Back to School promotion each summer that bundles in free accessories such as AirPods or an Apple Pencil with qualifying purchases. Read on to discover how to save big money on Apple kit.
How to get Apple's Student Discount
How you go about accessing Apple student discount varies depending on where you're based:
US students
• In the US, head over to the US Apple Store for Education and verify your student status via the third-party verification service UNiDAYS. You'll need to create a UNiDAYS account and provide details of your college or university, along with your student email address. In most cases your status will be verified instantly, though it can occasionally take up to 24 hours.
Once verified, you'll be able to shop the Education Store with reduced pricing marked with the Education Savings symbol (a little green mortar board). In most cases you'll get a direct price cut on the item you want. Plus during the Back to School promotional period (mid June to end September 2026 in the US and Canada), Apple also offers a free accessory (such as AirPods or an Apple Pencil) with qualifying Mac and iPad purchases.
UK students
• To get your student discount in the UK, head over to the UK Apple Store for Education where you can sign up online via the student discount website, UNIDAYS. This website and its app are free, but you will need to provide some details about your course and university to make sure your account gets verified.
Once verified, you'll be able to shop the Education Store with reduced pricing marked with the Education Savings symbol (a little green mortar board). In most cases you'll get a direct price cut on the item you want. Additionally, during the Back to School promotional period (mid-July to mid-October in the UK), Apple also offers a free accessory with qualifying Mac and iPad purchases.
All sounding like it's all a bit too complicated? Don't worry. If you call Apple, chat online with someone from Apple, or head in-store to speak with a member of the Apple staff, they'll be able to help you out.
Who is eligible for Apple's Student Discount?
You don't actually have to be a student to be eligible for Apple's education pricing. The scheme covers a surprisingly broad range of people – though bear in mind that since May this year, everyone now needs to verify their eligibility through UNiDAYS before they can access the discounted prices.
01. Further or higher education students
If you're enrolled in – or have been accepted into – a college or university, you're eligible. Verification is handled through UNiDAYS: you'll need to create an account and confirm your status either via your institution's academic portal, your student email address, or by uploading a photo of your student ID.
02. Parents of students
Parents can access education pricing when buying on behalf of a child who is currently attending or has been accepted into a higher education institution. Note that the discount applies to a device for your child, not for yourself.
03. Teaching and education staff
Any member of staff working at a K-12 or higher education institution – public or private – is eligible, including homeschool teachers. Homeschool teachers will need to provide an identity document such as a driving licence or passport, plus a homeschool document such as a Letter of Intent, to verify through UNiDAYS.
04. Teaching and education staff
Apple also says it extends eligibility to currently serving school board members and elected or appointed PTA/PTO officers. However, verification for these groups doesn't seem to be available through UNiDAYS, which is primarily set up for students and institutional staff, so it's worth contacting Apple directly to confirm the best route for your situation.
Apple student discount deals: US
Apple Student Discount: the best deals in the US
Apple student discount deals: UK
Apple Student Discount: the best deals in the UK
FAQs
What are the best Apple student deals right now?
The standout deal is the MacBook Neo at £499/$499 with education pricing – the cheapest MacBook Apple has ever made, and genuinely hard to beat at that price. For those who want more performance, the MacBook Air M5 starts at £999/$999 with education savings. On the services side, the Apple Music student plan at £5.99/$5.99 a month with Apple TV+ included is excellent value regardless of which device you buy. It's worth timing your purchase carefully, though: Amazon Prime Day (June 23-26) is just around the corner, and Apple products typically see some of their sharpest discounts of the year during the sale – in some cases beating even the education store price.
Do I need to buy from Apple directly to get a student discount?
No, but it's the most reliable route. The Apple Education Store guarantees the discount and applies it automatically once your status is verified through UNiDAYS. Some authorised resellers also offer education pricing, but availability and discounts can be less consistent. It's also worth checking retailers like Amazon, Currys (UK) and Best Buy (US), particularly around Back to School season and during events like Prime Day, as their prices can sometimes beat even the education discount on certain models.
How long does the Apple student discount last?
There's no time limit on accessing education pricing: it's available all year round for as long as you remain eligible. You can buy up to one Mac laptop, one desktop Mac, two iPads, and two eligible accessories per year at education prices. The Apple Music student plan is available for up to 48 months, and the Apple TV+ access that comes with it continues for as long as your student status remains active and verified.
