What discounts can I get as an apprentice?

You’ve probably heard your uni friends banging on about all the bargains they get with a student card. As an apprentice, maybe you’re feeling a bit left out of all the good stuff.

Thankfully, the days when apprentices were overlooked for student discounts are gone. Now, you can access a wealth of savings on travel, retail and more – just like other learners. 

In this blog, we’ll show you where to find the best deals and how to make sure you’re tapping into every available perk.

What is a student discount card, and can apprentices use UNiDAYS and Student Beans?

When you think ‘student discount,’ your mind probably jumps to university students flashing their IDs for cheaper cinema tickets. A student discount card is a scheme that gives verified students access to deals and discounts. Popular ones include UNiDAYS and Student Beans.

The short answer is yes; both UNiDAYS and Student Beans are valid for people doing an apprenticeship. You just need to provide an email address associated with your apprenticeship or other proof of enrolment, and UNiDAYS and Student Beans are free to apply for.

However, did you know that apprentices get access to an exclusive discount card called the TOTUM Apprentice card? Read on to find out more…

What is the TOTUM Apprentice discount card?

TOTUM is a student discount platform by the NUS (National Union of Students). The TOTUM Apprentice card functions exactly like a standard student discount card, except it is exclusively for apprentices. FYI, it used to be called the ‘NUS Apprentice Extra card.’

The TOTUM Apprentice card is widely recognised and accepted both in-store and online across thousands of brands. In fact, the TOTUM+ membership gives you a government-approved ID – yep, you can leave your passport at home when you head to a bar.

Am I eligible for a TOTUM Apprentice discount card?

To get a TOTUM Apprentice card, you need to meet these requirements. You must be:

• A current apprentice
• Living in the UK
• Doing an apprenticeship that’s registered with the UK’s Education and Skills Funding Agency (ESFA)
• Aged 16 or over

How can I get a TOTUM Apprentice discount card?

You can get the TOTUM Apprentice card for 1, 2 or 3-year memberships. The application process is pretty straightforward – just go to the TOTUM website, verify your identity, and you’re good to go. It’s the same if you apply for a regular student discount card (e.g., with UNiDAYS or Student Beans).

You just need to provide details about your apprenticeship course, including:

• Name of the course
• Course length
• Apprenticeship provider

There are a few options you can use for verifying your identity and apprentice status:

• Academic email address
• Academic portal login details
• Photo of yourself
• Student verification or voucher code
• Proof of student document

What are the different TOTUM Apprentice memberships?

There are two types of memberships for apprentices – both cost £14.99 for a one-year membership or £24.99 for a three-year membership. Let’s compare them.

TOTUM Apprentice

• Access to discounts and vouchers from 350+ brands
• Free tastecard membership for 2-4-1 dining

TOTUM Apprentice+

• Access to discounts and vouchers from 350+ brands
• Free tastecard membership for 2-4-1 dining
• Free government-recognised ID
• International discounts
• Free one-year membership to the International Student Identity Card (ISIC)

Plus, remember that UNiDAYS and Student Beans are both free to use and available for apprentices – there are no memberships with these options.

The best apprentice discounts you can get: TOTUM, UNiDAYS, Student Beans and more

We’ll gathered together some of the best apprentice discounts you can get with a TOTUM Apprentice, UNiDAYS or Student Beans account.

Keep in mind that all the discounts were correct at the time of writing, and some might change. Don’t worry if some of the discounts below have expired or changed – there’ll be loads more to choose from!

Retail

• 10% off ASOS (TOTUM)
• 10% off at eBay (UNiDAYS)
• Save up to £100 at Apple (TOTUM)
• 25% off at PUMA (Student Beans)
• 15% off at Adidas (TOTUM)
• 10% off at Superdrug (Student Beans)
• 2 tickets for £14 at Cineworld (TOTUM)

Travel

• 12% off car hire at Holiday Extras (TOTUM)
• Train tickets from £1 (Student Beans)
• 20% off Flixbus (Student Beans)
• 25% off railcards at Trip.com (TOTUM)
• 15% off National Express (Student Beans)
• Get an Apprentice Oyster card for discounted London travel

Food & drink

• Free tastecard membership for 2-4-1 dining (TOTUM)
• Get 10% off your first Uber Eats grocery order (UNiDAYS)
• Free Coffee Club membership for 25% off chains like Caffè Nero and Black Sheep Coffee (TOTUM)
• 20% off at Wagamama (Student Beans)
• 20% off at Black Sheep Coffee (UNiDAYS)

Life

• You could get a discount on your council tax – ask your local council
• 3.5% cashback at Sainsbury’s (TOTUM)
• Free Amazon Prime for 6 months (Student Beans)
• Free month trial of Channel 4+ (UNiDAYS)
• Get broadband from £26.99/month (Student Beans)
• 40% off Holiday Extras airport parking (UNiDAYS)
• 2.5% cashback at ASDA (TOTUM)
• 50% off at Betterhelp for online therapy (TOTUM)

Discounts: Yet another reason to choose an apprenticeship

Thanks to the TOTUM Apprentice card and the inclusivity of platforms like UNiDAYS and Student Beans, apprentices are included in all the best student discounts. A quick application and a bit of research are all it takes to reap those big savings.

Before you can lock into discounts, you need to secure your place on an apprenticeship course. From entry-level positions to fully paid degree apprenticeships, you’ll find an opportunity for you using our apprenticeship search feature.