You can save hundreds of pounds – up to 10% on MacBooks, iMacs and iPads – with this handy trick. Pus get free Beats headphones for the new term.
I’m not a lavish spender. My splurges are restricted to nice meals out and travelling – though even then I’ll have made sure I get the best possible value and spend within my budget.
Probably the only time I spend more than I really should is on Apple products. Yes, I know an Android phone or PC will do pretty much the same job for far less money, but I’m fully converted to the Cult of Apple. However, that doesn’t mean I pay full price!
One of the best ways to save on a MacBook, iMac or iPad is through their education programme. To be eligible, you need to be a university student or teacher.
Now, I’m neither of these. However, there is a perfectly legal and legitimate trick to get an NUS card, and hence student discounts – including at Apple.
You’ll be able to save up to £339 on purchases, and at the start of each academic year there’s an added bonus of free wireless Beats Solo3 wireless headphones.
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How to get an Apple student discount when you’re not a student
** UPDATE 17/8/18 – It now looks like all online providers have been removed from the NUS/Totum application and it’s highly unlikely that they will return.**
I’ve written about this trick a few times before, but here’s a reminder. First, you need to buy an online training course. There are a few companies that give you eligibility. The cheapest is usually a £4 course, though you can often find a course that interests you for under £30. I’ve listed them all in the article below.
Then you buy an NUS card, which costs £12. Yes, you’ve got to lay out £16+, but you’ll get that back easily on your Apple saving, not to mention everywhere else you can use it.
>> My guide to getting an NUS card when not a student
Sadly the hack that meant anyone could get a student discount closed
How to get the Apple Education discount
You don’t need to wait for the card to arrive – once you’ve been approved and paid up with NUS, you can start shopping online straight away.
Just search the NUS Extra deals page for Apple. Log in and click through to the Apple Store and you’ll be presented with prices far lower than normal.
How much is the Apple student discount?
- Save up to 10% on Mac
- Save up to 5% on iPad
- Save up to 50% on Apple Care
- Save up to 10% on accessories
Unfortunately, you can’t save on iPhones.
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New term special offer – free Beats headphones
When you buy an iMac or iPad Pro with your student discount before 2nd October 2018 you’ll also get a free pair of Beats Solo 3 Wireless. Even if you don’t want them can sell them on eBay. They’re worth around £250!
Hi Andy,
Does work in Australia? I mean, can I just go online and purchase an iMac along with the beats offer and not having to actually be a student? :O
Thanks!
Hi, I don’t know actually, but I imagine you’ll need some form of student ID
Hi Andy
I am actually a university student, I will not be receiving my student finance until after the deadline for the apple discount. Do you have any knowledge about when their next discount is or is there any way around getting it after the discount deadline date. I just cannot afford to buy a Mac before then 2nd October
Thanyou
Hi, it usually starts in July each year
Hi Andy just filled in the form and put in Ecourse. When it asked for the course code I just put in a six digit number and it took it a;long with my £13.50 and I got my card in a week
Unfortunately I won’t be forwarded to the Apple NUS page anymore. Instead I am asked to login with my UNIDAYS account. Unfortunately UNIDAYS doesn’t support e-careers. Am I doing something wrong or is there no Apple NUS page anymore? If so, any workaround?
Oh no!!! Damn it. It worked last week. Looks like another loophole that may have closed. I’ll see if I can find a way around it.
Same situation here, got my card 2 days ago and everything worked fine. I was just too lazy to buy it the same day. The next day it was all gone 🙁
Oh no, that’s rubbish!
Hi,
Any idea if possible to get Amazon prime student trial with NUS card but without learning institution email address? I bought a course at Hayley Oxford.
Thank you!
Hi Marcus. Yes! https://becleverwithyourcash.com/cash-hack-5-get-free-amazon-prime-6-months/
Though it doesn’t always work, it does for most people!
Thank you this was amazing!!
However, this works even without signing up to any course! LOL, i just used the details for the £4 course without actually signing up or paying for it. All worked fine, and then I payed for a 3 year card! Cost about £33.50p with delivery.
Ive now used it to get 10% off new MacBook Pro with free BeatsX!!! Awesome thanks so much.
Andy when is the start date for the free beats headphones.. going to sign upto a course and get the discount like you said.
Hey Paul, it’s normally in July I think.
Hello, I’m from canada, how can I do the same and buy with student discount if I’m not a student?
Hi Priscilla, I’m afraid I don’t know about Canada. It’s worth asking any friends or family members if they know anyone who works or studies at a school or university – they might be able to help out.
Hi Andy. I’m gutted I missed out on this offer! Do you think they will do it again next year?
Hi Lucy, yes there’s been something similar in August/September for a while now. I got my Mac about four years ago and had some free headphones.
I can’t find any courses under £40 to sign up too. Any ideas? Thanks
I’ve got the NUS after buying a course via Reed online. However for the Apple discount you need to go via Unidays and therefore need to have an email address via the learning institution in order that they can verify you are indeed a student. New Skills Ltd isn’t supported, so unfortunately for me, despite genuinely buying a course that I want to study, it doesn’t give me access to the Apple Education discount. I wanted the iPad Pro with headphones offer. Any ideas please? Thanks
If you head over to the nus website you should be able to log in and connect to the apple discount that way. Let me know if that doesn’t work
Did this the other weekend when buying a Macbook Pro. Got Money off + beats headphones which I sold for £120 on ebay 😉
Good work Jon! Always making money 😉
Hi Andy
How do i go about getting the free headphones?
Thanks
Details should be on the apple education discount website – it ends soon though. A few years ago when I did this they were shipped with the computer.