The best music platforms for uni students

Lo-fi beats for studying focus, dance tunes for your workout era or the latest hits to gear up for a night out - subscribing to a top-tier music platform means you have music to match any mood. Plus, while you’re at uni, most streaming sites will give you a discount on their monthly rate.

From listening to your favourites to discovering new ones, get lots of top tracks for your money with our five choice music platforms

#1 Apple Music

Even if you’re not a die-hard Apple user, you can access over 100 million songs and 30,000 playlists by signing up to this platform. Simply create an Apple ID, verify your subscription through UNiDAYS and you’ll only pay the Apple Music student discount of £5.99 a month for up to two years.

Download the app onto your Android or iOS device and listen to more tunes than you could ever ask for. Host the best parties with Spatial Audio surround sound and Apple Music Sing, perfect for karaoke lovers. Plus, with Apple Music Live, there’s no need to wait in a ticket queue for exclusive concerts with stars as big as Harry Styles and Billie Eilish.

Give your flatmates FOMO and enjoy free access to Apple TV+ with your subscription—winner! With UNiDAYS, you get even more for your money with one month free.

• Student price: £5.99 per month for 48 months
• Great for: music choice
• Extras: Apple TV+, Apple Music Live, Apple Music Sing

#2 Amazon Music

Take Amazon Music Unlimited out as a one-off subscription or part of a Prime Student package to enjoy ad-free listening. Test it out with a 30-day free trial before signing up for the Amazon Music Unlimited student discount of £5.99 per month.

Download music and podcasts to listen offline via the Amazon Music app (available for Android or iOS) and skip with no limits. Free access to Amazon Music HD means you can listen to the best quality tracks on repeat or via personalised playlists and stations.

For even bigger deals, sign up for a six-month trial of Amazon Prime Student. This doesn’t just give you access to music streaming, but includes premium delivery, Prime Video and exclusive offers on textbooks, fashion and other essentials. So you can get a bargain on your music and more!

• Student price: £5.99 per month for up to four years (for Prime Student members)
• Great for: quality tracks
• Extras: long trial period, Prime Delivery, Prime Video and extra discounts

#3 SoundCloud

If you’re always looking for the next big artist, SoundCloud is where you’ll find them. A favourite with dance music lovers, this platform is great for finding alternative tracks and tunes from independent musicians. Any artists that SoundCloud Go+ subscribers listen to get sent royalties directly. So you can enjoy their music and them with their careers—bonus!

Listen to any tracks ad-free and offline as part of a 30-day free trial, including exclusive tunes, remixes and DJ sets. If you fancy yourself as the next David Guetta, SoundCloud Go+ also links directly to DJ apps, so you can create your own soundtrack from more than 135 million tracks. You can even create your account and upload your remixes, making it easy to host a house party with unique beats.

By signing up for free you can connect with other creators, build collaborative playlists and see what’s trending. With artists like Billie Eilish, Doja Cat and Post Malone starting out on the platform, music lovers and aspiring artists will be at home here.

• Student price: £4.99 per month (SoundCloud Go+)
• Great for: new music
• Extras: mix your own tracks with DJ apps

#4 Spotify

It’s no surprise that Spotify has made it on the list. One of the biggest music streaming platforms, its easy-to-use app and algorithm-curated playlists mean millions now use the service to listen to their best-loved albums and discover new-found faves. Plus, free members can still access the whole Spotify library though it comes with limited skips, shuffle-only album playback and ads.

By paying for a Premium subscription, student members get access to higher-quality tracks, unlimited skips and ad-free listening. Download podcasts and music to enjoy offline or get personalised suggestions through custom-made mixes. You can even enjoy audiobooks and podcast courses (perfect for auditory learners). All for just £5.99 per month.

Subscribing also means you don’t get FOMO when your mates start sharing their Spotify Wrapped insights at the end of every year. Sorry, how many hours were you listening to Lizzo? If you’re having a house party, get everyone to join in on the mix with the Blend tool.

• Student price: £5.99 per month
• Great for: custom playlists
• Extras: personalised mixes and Spotify Wrapped

#5 YouTube Music

Loveee watching and listening to your music? What a vibe. Then YouTube Music is the platform for you. Enjoy your favourite artists with both your eyes and ears on desktop (for free users) or mobile (for Premium members) with the option to play the music video as you listen.

Available with its own subscription or as part of YouTube Premium, YouTube Music Premium allows you to listen ad-free and can be played in the background if you have your device on lock or are scrolling on another app. Remixes, albums and live performances are also available to enjoy on desktop, Android or iOS.

So if you fancy learning the latest viral dance routine or want to enjoy past festivals from the comfort of your sofa, YouTube Music is a great option. Plus, you get one month’s free trial as standard.

• Student price: £5.49 per month
• Great for: music videos
• Extras: available with YouTube Premium video subscription