As a master’s student, you’re well aware that your education comes with a hefty price tag. From tuition and textbooks to rent and food, funding your master’s degree and meeting your basic expenses can be a struggle. While you’re already juggling coursework, research, and other responsibilities, figuring out how you’re going to pay for your expenses is an added source of stress.
We’ve rounded up the best deals on technology, study resources, daily items, and more. From free memberships to discount codes and free shipping, you might be surprised how many brands offer discounts for students. Keep reading to discover the different deals you can take advantage of right away.
6 Discounts on Computers, Laptops, and Tablets
Having access to a computer, laptop, or tablet is essential for master’s students. These devices not only are necessary for coursework and research (and graduate programs are heavy on both), but these technologies also allow you to stay connected with your fellow students, professors, and the world around you.
With a price tag of $1,000 or higher, buying a new computer is a significant expense for students on a tight budget. Read below to find our list of six tech discounts available exclusively for master’s students and see which best suits your needs and financial situation.
Apple
Apple offers special pricing for current and newly accepted college students, faculty, and staff at accredited universities. You’ll get a hefty discount for a range of Apple products, including up to $200 on a MacBook laptop or up to $100 on a new iPad. Apple also offers discounts on its Mac mini, Mac Studio, the Pro Display XDR and more.
ASUS
ASUS also offers a range of specially priced laptops for students. The discounts cut up to 20% off an item’s full price. You’ll find dozens of different laptop options to choose from with a range of processing capabilities and storage space.
Dell
Technology company Dell offers student discounts for several products. Along with offering a $150 gift card, Dell also provides individual solutions for students depending on their major, including computer science, engineering, design, and business.
HP
HP has a specific education store just for students with .edu email addresses and offers savings up to 40%. The site also offers free shipping and easy returns.
Lenovo
Lenovo is another well-known laptop and computer brand. Discounts on new laptops range from 10% to 44% off select models. College students who show their student IDs save an extra 5%.
Microsoft
Microsoft offers student discounts on tablets, laptops, and even accessories. Students save up to $500 on a Surface Pro 8, a versatile device that combines the best of a laptop and tablet, or a Surface Laptop 5, whose touchscreen display makes it stand out from others. The touchscreens on these devices make them ideal options for master’s students studying art, design, engineering, or any other field where sketching, drawing, or designing are prevalent.
7 Discounts on Computer Software and Programs
You’ll need more than just a computer to engage with your courses. You’ll also need access to certain software and programs, and these costs can add up.
Oftentimes the software you need varies based on the courses you’re taking. Computer science and engineering students, for example, need access to technical programs (such as those sold by Autodesk). Students in creative fields, such as graphic design and photography, need access to programs like Adobe Creative Cloud. Some software, such as Evernote and Microsoft Office, is useful for any academic discipline.
Read through the section below to find our top deals.
Adobe Creative Cloud
Adobe Creative Cloud includes Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and Lightroom. Students in any creative field, from design to photography, will most likely utilize these programs. As a student, you’ll save more than 60% on Adobe’s monthly plan, paying $19.99/month instead of $54.99/month.
Autodesk
Students and educators get one year of free access to Autodesk. A range of software programs that can be used for design and engineering are part of this package, including Tinkercad, AutoCAD, Revit, 3ds Max, and more.
Avid
Avid offers students and teachers discounts of up to 50% on its creative software and tools, including Media Composer and Pro Tools. This program is ideal for master’s students who are pursuing careers in film, music, or television and need access to industry-standard software.
Evernote
Students get a 40% discount for Evernote, an organizational system designed to be your “second brain.” Use it for class notes, to-do lists, research, and more. Evernote makes it easier to keep all of your documents in one place so you can stay on top of your workload.
Grammarly
Grammarly offers a free grammar and writing assistance tool that can be immensely helpful for students. This program is ideal for master’s students who need to write and edit academic papers, as it provides real-time feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Microsoft Office 365
Microsoft Office 365 is available free to master’s students who attend participating universities. This suite of programs includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and more, providing you with the essential tools for coursework and research.
Prezi
Prezi offers a free education license for students and teachers, providing access to its presentation software. No doubt you’ll need to do presentations at some point in your studies, so this program is ideal for any student. It’ll help you create dynamic and engaging alternatives to traditional slide decks.
4 Discounts on Textbooks and Study Resources
The cost of textbooks and study resources quickly adds up. We’ve rounded up the best deals and discounts that can help you stay on top of your studies and that won’t break the bank. Be sure to browse the various options and compare prices for the books and resources you’re looking for.
Amazon Textbooks
Amazon is a great place to start your search for discounted textbooks. You can often compare prices for new and used versions and find a deal for your budget. While there isn’t a specific added discount for master’s students at Amazon, you’ll often save a hefty amount compared to the list price in a physical store.
Chegg
Chegg is one of the most commonly used study resources for students. Its plans, which include tailored study aids and practice sets for various academic disciplines, start at $15.95/month. You can also save up to 90% on your textbooks when buying them through Chegg.
eCampus
eCampus is another option for finding discounted textbooks online. Search for textbook rentals, new and used books, and eTextbooks. The website offers free shipping for orders over $35, and you can often find discount codes for additional savings.
The Wall Street Journal
Staying informed about the world and current events is helpful no matter what your discipline is. The Wall Street Journal offers a special discount for students. The university subscription gives you access to the WSJ.com website and app, curated newsletters, podcasts, and more.
5 Discounts on Everyday Shopping
From school supplies to home office furniture, you’re going to need to buy a few items as you go through your master’s program. Thankfully, there are a wealth of stores and brands that offer discounts just for students. Read below to find a deal on items you’re looking for.
Amazon Prime Student
As you probably know, you can find just about anything you need through Amazon Prime (and get it quickly.) Amazon offers a discounted Prime membership rate for students: on top of a 6-month trial, students receive free food delivery, one month free of CourseHero, up to 10% off flights and hotels, and more.
Barnes & Noble
Book chain Barnes & Noble is another popular shopping destination for students. Beyond just finding educational books or the latest fiction and nonfiction books, you can also find stationery, gifts, cards, and much more.
Bed Bath & Beyond
Bed Bath & Beyond is a one-stop shop for many of the things you’ll need to furnish your dorm or home. The store’s college shop makes it easy to browse through popular categories including bedding, storage, tech accessories, and appliances. Discounts range up to 50% on college essentials.
Best Buy
A college shopping checklist wouldn’t be complete without a trip to Best Buy. You’ll find a range of tech that can help you in your studies, from laptops and printers to headphones, chargers and more—all offered at a discount for students of all ages.
Costco
Costco can be a great option to buy anything you need in bulk, from toiletries to school supplies. The store offers a special membership just for students. Along with a yearly Costco membership, you’ll also receive discounts on items such as gas, prescriptions, electronics, and more.
6 Discounts on Entertainment: Television, Music, and More
Even in a master’s program it’s not all work and no play. You should get out and enjoy entertainment and music when you can—and it doesn’t have to wreck your budget. The recommendations below help you alleviate stress when you need a break from your studies or could even be used as an added educational resource (like YouTube Premium for courses).
AMC, Cinemark, and Regal
Apple Music
Students can join Apple Music at a discounted monthly rate for up to 48 months. And if you have an Apple Music student subscription, you also get Apple TV+ for a limited time. Whether you’re looking for music to play in the background of your study sessions or to keep up with the latest tunes, you’ll find the music you need without breaking your budget.
Hulu
With a Hulu subscription you can stream your favorite TV shows and movies between study sessions. Eligible college students can sign up for just $1.99/month. You can also choose add-ons such as HBO Max and SHOWTIME for an additional charge.
Spotify Premium Student
Spotify is another music and podcast streaming service that offers a discounted price for students. With the premium student package, eligible students get a discount for up to four years. You’ll even keep the discount if you study abroad, so you never have to be without the latest music.
TIDAL
Master’s students save 50% off both TIDAL HiFi and HiFi Plus plans. These plans help you listen to millions of songs ad-free. You can also use TIDAL to listen to or play your favorite music with others in real time.
YouTube Premium
Students can take advantage of YouTube’s student plan and enjoy YouTube and YouTube Music ad free. Start with a free one-month trial and then pay $6.99/month. This plan can be especially helpful for downloading content so you can access videos when you’re commuting or traveling.
6 Discounts on Clothing and Apparel
From wear-it-to-class clothing to building out your professional wardrobe for interviews and presentations, you’ll likely need to invest in new clothing and apparel during your studies. We’ve rounded up some of the top deals so that you can save money on the clothes you need to get ahead.
Adidas
Activewear and sneaker brand Adidas offers a students-only discount. Once you verify your student status with UNiDAYS, you can shop for men, women, and kids—and you’ll be eligible for free shipping on top of your discount.
American Eagle
All students receive 20% off at American Eagle, a brand known for casual clothes and jeans for men and women. This discount is also administered through UNiDAYS.
ASOS
At online shop ASOS, eligible students receive 10% off all purchases. ASOS features more than 850 brands and also offers both next-day delivery and free returns. The discount is valid until you graduate.
Levi’s
Levi’s, iconic denim brand, offers a 15% discount for students that applies to all of the brand’s apparel. You’ll also benefit from free shipping.
Nike
Nike is another athleisure brand that offers a significant discount for students. Once you verify your student status, you’ll receive a single-use promo code for 10% off most items—and you can receive a new code every 30 days.
Urban Outfitters
Check out the Urban Outfitters Student Hub to learn more about discounts for students. Find a wide range of items, from clothing and shoes for men and women to house decor items and more. You can also browse the site’s student checklist to find new inspiration for items you may need during your studies.