5 student-friendly ways to save money on tech

Tablets, phones and other gadgets can be pricey. But as a student, you won’t be able to get that essay in on time (or keep up with Love Island) without the right gear.

Here’s how to get all your essential study tech for cheaper than the high-street.

4 savvy ways to save on back-to-uni tech

1. Use that student discount

Keep your eyes peeled for the best student discount deals. Whether it’s getting a percentage off, or enjoying a bundle deal where you get some extra tech thrown in for free, back-to-uni student discounts can be a real winner – and they’ll let you shop for tech that will last the whole three years (if you treat it right).

Download the UNiDAYS and Student Beans apps. Or find some of the best deals in the UK by using your student discount on the NUS Apprentice website.

2. Buy and sell second-hand

You’d be surprised what gold you can find on Facebook Marketplace. So long as you shop safe and ask questions, buying second-hand can be a great way to save on the tech someone else doesn’t use. Just remember to pay in cash and collect in person where possible.

For slightly safer second-hand shopping, eBay and Gumtree are also great for discounted tech.

3. Shop refurbished

Choosing refurbished devices is an underrated way to buy good-as-new tech. Not only can you be certain your tech has been tried and tested, but you’ll also usually get some sort of warranty with it too.

All our giffgaff refurbished phones come with a 12-month warranty, plus an 80% battery-life promise. And if you don’t want to pay everything up front, we’ll even let you pay in monthly instalments*. It doesn’t get better than that.

Not sold on refurbished? Maybe Tom481 can change your mind:

“Very pleased with my ‘as new’ Samsung Galaxy A6. It’s just like a new phone with no marks on it. Great service and a lovely phone at a bargain price. When my wife’s phone needs replacing, giffgaff will be my first port of call.”

4. Hold out for Black Friday

If you can, holding out for Black Friday could be worth the wait when it comes to getting your hands on discounted tech. Everything from laptops and tablets to phones and TVs (for that all-important downtime) can enjoy healthy price slashes in the run-up to Christmas.

Keep an eye out for the giffgaff Black Friday deals, it’s gonna be mega.

5. Get a double data Student SIM deal

Being a student can be hectic. You’re always on the go, and you need an affordable data plan that can keep up with your busy lifestyle. Luckily, giffgaff has you covered, with an exclusive student SIM only deal to carry you through from Freshers to summer finals.

Double your data with giffgaff

Between July 14th to November 30th, students can get 40 GB of data for £10 per month with their monthly rolling plan. That’s double the data for a terrific £10.

Once you sign up, you’ll be able to get double data on our £10 monthly rolling plan for 12 months. And if you want something different, you can leave or change to another plan at any time. And after November 30th, this promo will be gone, so don’t miss out.

All students at UK universities or colleges are eligible for this exclusive student SIM only deal. All you need is a student.ac.uk email address to activate your SIM.

For just £10 a month, our exclusive student SIM only deal includes:

• 40 GB data
• Unlimited texts and calls powered by O2
• 5 GB EU roaming data
• Keep your number
• Cancel your plan at any time, no fees attached
• Bring your mates on board and get £5 Payback. Cha-ching.

But wait, there’s more. Order your student SIM card online, and you’ll get a bonus £5 credit when you activate your SIM. Handy for international students making phone calls home, don’t you think? See our international call rates here.

Looking for more ways to save on everyday student living?

Check out our top tips on how to save and manage money from your mobile to help keep you on the straight and narrow. Or why not get a bit of extra cash in your hand as a giffgaff Super Recruiter?

Kickstart the academic year with giffgaff’s smashing deals. Great mobile plans, total flexibility.

*0% APR. Finance subject to status and credit checks with Klarna Bank AB (publ). UK residents aged 18+ only. Direct Debit. giffgaff Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and acts as a credit broker and not a lender, offering credit products provided by Klarna Bank AB (publ). Terms apply, see giffgaff.com/terms. giffgaff Limited, UB8 1HB