We all know how student life is about partying, being with your friends and having a good time. To sustain this rhythm of life, students are always looking for the cheapest deals.

A good way to do so is to have a student card which enables you to have student discounts. How does this work? Many websites including studentbook and edu explain the concept of student discounts, student cards and many more handy things to know before you go to university or whilst on your gap year.

There are different types of student cards; the most effective are the “NUS Extra” card and the “International Student Identity Card” otherwise known as the ISIC.

The NUS (National Union of Students) offer two different discount cards. The first is the “Associate Card” which has been developed for students in sixth form (years 12 & 13). It costs 7 pounds from the nus online website and offers discounts from a number of different companies. For example; Topshop and Topman, Burton, Joe Browns, Long Tall Sally, Funk Punk Junk, a variety of magazines and more. The card lasts for a year.

The Other card available from the NUS is the “NUS Extra” card which is available to university students. The card costs 10 pounds a year and is available from your student’s union or online. The card entitles you to discounts from Amazon, Ticketmaster, Subway, Topshop, JJB Sports, the AA, McDonalds, Lonely Planet, Office and more. The most notable point about the NUS Extra card is that it has merged with the discounts available from ISIC so that now it entitles the holder to discounts abroad as well. This makes it the card perfect for students who travel in the summer or who are taking a gap year.

The International Student Identity Cardholders gain access to special discounts with many companies, especially with travel-related services, the main one being STA Travel. Check out the STA Travel website to see the full list of world wide discounts on various attractions, historical sites, museums, hotels, bars and restaurants, flights and travel available to holders of the card. The card costs 9 pounds and could save you so much so it really is worth investing in. To get your card go on the ISIC card website.

We can also note that the International Student Identity Card is indispensable to the well-being and education of foreign and international students.

The Student Advantage Discount Card is another widely accepted discount program for students. The Card provides students with exclusive discounts up to 50% off at more than 20,000 locations around campus, online and at many national businesses. These locations and websites include Urban Outfitters, Footlockers, NBA stores, People Magazine, Vision Direct and many more. To get your card simply go to the student advantage website

To sum up everything that has been said, student life can be quite hectic therefore it is very important that you have one of these cards. So, think about it when you are getting insurance, filling in your UCAS forms or planning your gap year trip.