The student guide to mobile deals

Feel like you need a degree in abstract algebra to understand the mobile deals out there? Want a new mobile with a student discount? Ofc!

We’ll help you figure out what types of student mobile phone deals are available and which might be right for you.

What types of student mobile deals are there?

There are three different types of student mobile phone deals you can bag:

1. Handset only

Already got a SIM and happy with the deal you’re on? You can buy a new handset or save money with a refurbished or second hand one.

Refurbished phones have been - well, refurbished - by the manufacturer or the retailer. They’re less likely to break down than a second hand one and the battery might last longer too! Check out Reboxed’s special £20 discount on refurbished phones for UNiDAYS members.

2. Contract deals

With a contract, the mobile network wants you to - horror of horrors - COMMIT! They’re willing to make it worth your while though.

You’ll get free minutes, data, texts, and more each month for a fixed price every month. Go over your inclusive minutes and you pay extra charges.

So, when choosing a contract tariff, make sure it has the inclusive airtime you need so you don’t pay too much. There are two types of contract deals - one with and one without a phone.

SIM-only contracts

You can choose a SIM-only contract if you have an existing handset you’re happy with.

There are lots of different SIM only student deals to choose from.

Check out the iD Mobile student discount at UNiDAYS - that is one of the best student SIM-only deals on the market. It costs £15 a month – that gets you unlimited 5G data, minutes and texts.

The mobiles.co.uk student discount on a 100GB SIM card is another great student SIM card deal definitely worth a look, too.

Many student SIM deals, like the ID Mobile deal, are on rolling 30-day contracts. You can quit with just a month’s notice.

You’ll get better deals if you commit for longer but, if you try to quit early, they’ll send you a big bill and expect you to pay it.

Handset + SIM contracts

Want to start with a clean slate? A new phone and a new tariff? Check out the deals available on handset + SIM card contracts.You can choose a brand new phone, or to save a bit of cash, many networks and retailers offer cheaper deals on refurbished mobiles.

The bill you pay every month covers your airtime and pays down the mobile handset itself. The amount leaving your bank account every month on a handset + SIM contract is higher than a SIM only contract. That’s not forever though. Once the minimum contract ends, the phone is paid off, and you only pay airtime charges.

Handset + SIM contracts are much longer than SIM only contracts. Expect to sign up for a 24-month contract. 12-month deals are available, but your monthly bill will be higher because you’re paying off your handset faster.

Do I qualify for contract student mobile deals?

Anyone over 18 can get a mobile deal; all you need is proof of identity, a UK address and a UK bank account. One thing you might not have is credit history—that might be a stumbling block but the chances are that most networks will take a chance on you.

But, even with a student discount, your mobile phone might be expensive because of this.

3. Pay-as-you-go deals

Pay-as-you-go might give you retro vibes, but it’s not quite how your folks might remember it.

You’d buy top-ups when you needed them. When the calls and texts ran out, you topped up again, normally by buying a voucher card from a local shop.

How modern PAYG works

Top-ups are still around but hard to find. Now, networks are pushing bundled top-ups instead.

With a bundled top-up, you pay a set amount every month for calls, texts, and data. The network collects the same amount from your bank until you tell them to stop.

Think of modern pay-as-you-go like a 30-day SIM-only rolling contract. You can cancel by giving 30 days’ notice. Your calls, texts, and data expire within 30 days and get topped up when the network collects your Direct Debit. If you run out, you can buy a top-up to tide you over.

To handset or not to handset?

Just like with standard contracts, you can take up a PAYG deal with or without a handset. If you get the SIM card only, there’s often no charge except for your first month bundle. If you choose a phone, expect to pay more upfront than with a standard contract deal. The amount may be close to what you’d pay for a handset-only deal.

Finding the right mobile student discount deals

Many networks and retailers offer student discounts on SIM only and handset + SIM deals. That’s true for contract and PAYG phones—winner!

To find the best deal, first calculate your average calls, texts, and data usage in a month. Then, find the tariffs that match your needs and choose the best one.

To find the best deal if you want a phone too, open a spreadsheet. Enter the upfront cost of the phone for a handset-only deal, a handset + SIM contract, and a handset + SIM PAYG deal.

Under each price, choose the tariff that gives you the airtime you need and multiply by 24. Add these figures together. Whichever is the lowest is the most cost-effective option. Remember to let the network or retailer know you’re a student to see if they can offer you an even better deal.

Want to keep your number? You can - check out this handy guide to “porting”.

Don’t forget to call home regularly!

Image source

Image source

Image source

Image source