Student Phone Deals in the UK Compared
All five big UK networks have student deals through Student Beans. They work very differently, so compare the price you will actually pay each month.
| Network | Student deal | Main conditions |
|---|---|---|
| EE | 40% off your monthly airtime bill | Online only; flex and 12/24-month SIM-only plans not already on offer; ends with the minimum term |
| Three | 20% off the base price of airtime, SIM-only and Home Broadband plans | Online only; not on plans already discounted or device finance; ends if you upgrade or change plan |
| Vodafone | 20% off SIM-only, or 25% off airtime with a handset | New customers only; not on upgrades, extra lines or plans already discounted |
| O2 | Fixed student tariffs, e.g. 50GB for £8 a month on a 12-month plan | Online; O2 terms apply |
| giffgaff | 100GB for £10 a month for 12 months | Plan must be set to auto-renew; ends 4 August 2027; after 12 months it rolls to the standard £10 allowance |
From each network’s offer on Student Beans (October 2026), checked 9 October 2026.
How to pick
- Work out the monthly price, not the percentage. 40% off a £20 plan saves more than 20% off a £10 plan, but you still pay more each month. Compare the final price for the data you need.
- Check what happens after the deal. EE’s discount ends with the minimum term, and giffgaff’s 100GB lasts 12 months. Set a reminder to compare again.
- SIM-only is usually cheapest. If your phone works, a SIM-only plan with a student discount costs less than a new handset contract.
- Do not change plan mid-way without checking. Three’s student discount stops if you upgrade or change plan.
How to claim
- Verify with Student BeansCreate a free Student Beans account and verify with your university email or a student ID.
- Get the network’s codeOpen the network’s page in Student Beans and generate your code or link.
- Order onlineMost of these deals are online only; you cannot claim them by phone or in a shop.
Phone deals change often and many only apply to new customers. The figures above are from our last check; the network’s checkout shows the final price before you sign.
Students also ask
Which UK network has the best student deal?
It depends on the data you need. EE gives the biggest percentage (40% off airtime); giffgaff’s 100GB for £10 a month is the simplest fixed price.
Can existing customers get student phone deals?
Vodafone’s is for new customers only. Other networks set their own rules; check the conditions on Student Beans.
Do I need Student Beans for student phone deals?
Yes, all five networks list their student offers through Student Beans.
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