Big screen action on a budget

If you’re a movie fan, a few hours at the cinema is perf. But cinema tickets can be pricey. If you’re a regular film buff, then your spend can soon add up. Luckily, there are ways to bag cut-price student cinema tickets.

Below, we round up the latest deals on offer and give you some tips and tricks to get the biggest bang for your cinematic buck.

In no time at all, you’ll have ticked off lots of must-see movies with the information we’re about to give you!

Can I get a student discount on cinema tickets?

Yes, and you have options Take advantage of:

1. Monthly memberships

Monthly memberships vary from cinema to cinema.

Pay a monthly fee and get access to screenings in return. This might be a set amount or unlimited! Most memberships also offer savings on food and drink and member-only screenings.

2. Discounted screenings

Some cinemas offer cheap tickets on a given day of the week.

Odeon offers cheaper tickets all day Monday and on selected screenings from Tuesday to Sunday. The deal is valid at most cinemas.

It also offers ‘Screen Unseen’. This bags you a sneak peek of a movie before it's released. You won’t know which film you are seeing ‘til you get there but that’s half the fun! For both these offers, you’ll need a free basic membership.

3. Free or discounted tickets via affiliate deals.

Have you heard of Meerkat Movies?

Buy insurance through Compare the Market, you get two-for-one cinema tickets on Tuesdays and Wednesdays.

Insurance not your thing? There are loads of other deals around.

Try Cineworld or Picturehouse screenings for £3 any time on a Friday, Saturday or Sunday for Three mobile customers.

4. Group discounts

Discount sites like Wowcher or Groupon often offer deals where you get five tickets for a fiver each, or similar—winner!

This can be a cheap way of getting a group of you together if there’s a film that would put a smile on all of your faces or you want to celebrate the end of term.

You’ll usually have to pay a small booking fee on top but it usually still works out cheaper than the standard price, so it’s well worth looking into for a one-off trip.

How about choosing between the big cinemas and the small independents?

Small independents often show more arty/specialist films as well as mainstream movies.

Many offer special student cinema ticket offers to pack out their aisles that you can take advantage of.

Here’s just a few examples in big Uni cities:

• Manchester: Home in Manchester is an arty cinema that does membership deals. It also hosts theatre and art events.
  
• Leeds: The Everyman in Leeds is more mainstream and has a range of memberships. It has a ‘bring a friend for free’ on Monday deal.
  
• London: The Prince Charles in Leicester Square, London has membership bundles that include films for £1 and £7.50 weekday matinees.

How do I know which discount will be best for me?

Before signing on the dotted line, here’s how to work out if the cinema student discount scheme makes sense for you

Work out how often you actually go to the cinema.

A discount that rewards you with cheaper tickets if you go twice a week sounds great. But if you don’t go twice a week, you’ll be out of pocket.

Do the maths on your scheme.

Let's say that one trip a week at £10 a time averages out over the year at £43 per month.

If that’s you, a deal where you pay £15 a month for as many films as you like plus money off food and drink looks good now, doesn’t it?

But it doesn’t sound so clever if you only go once a month or when there’s a blockbuster that takes your fancy.

What about discounts on food and drink at the cinema?

In it for the scran? The price of cinema popcorn is WILD.

Look for a student ticket for the cinema that offers free food and drink, too. Or, you can always choose to sneak your own snacks in, instead!

Some cinemas have coffee shops or bars within the same building. They often offer cinemagoers a decent discount if they meet before the film or stay after. Ask about any membership schemes that give you a discount at bars and restaurants close by.

How do I go about getting discounts?

PSA: don’t ask, don’t get! If you can’t see an advertised student discount for cinema tickets and snacks, it’s always worth the ask - especially at an independent.

It’s usually cheaper to buy your cinema ticket online rather than in person.

The online checkout will apply to any membership or special discount you’re entitled to. That way you get to choose your seat well in advance too!