Are you heading to college and looking for ways to save on your tech gear? No need to sweat on that front, since thanks to Apple student discounts 2021, you can save a good amount of money ahead of the new academic year.
That's right, Cupertino gives students as well as their parents and academic staff an opportunity to get discounts on some of the best Apple products for studying, including MacBooks, iMacs, iPads, and more. And when purchasing the previously mentioned devices, Apple also gives you a free pair of AirPods, with an option to upgrade to the AirPods Pro at an extra cost.
- Here's a guide on how to get an Apple student discount
- iPad Pro vs MacBook Air: Which device is the right one for you?
- MacBook Pro 2021: Why I'm finally replacing my 6-year-old MacBook
Thanks to their intuitive macOS and iPadOS interfaces, Apple devices are perfect for working and studying on the go. The iPad Air 2020 and the iPad Pro 2021 are both incredibly convenient machines when it comes to taking lecture notes, keeping track of your schedule and revising for any upcoming exams. And if you're going to be doing more complex work that involves video editing, long-form writing and working with spreadsheets, then Mac devices are the way to go. While a stylish iMac 2021 will certainly class up your dorm room, the MacBook Air and Pro ranges will be your trusty portable devices.
So if you're considering getting either of the above and are looking to save money with an Apple student discount, no need to worry — we've got you covered. Below, we've prepared an ultimate guide to Apple student discounts 2021, answering all of your potential questions, including eligibility and exact discounts on specific products and other student promotions, in both the UK and the US.
Apple student discounts 2021 in the US
Why you can trust Tom's Guide Our writers and editors spend hours analyzing and reviewing products, services, and apps to help find what's best for you. Find out more about how we test, analyze, and rate.
Apple student discounts 2021 in the US
Apple student discounts 2021 in the UK
Apple student discounts 2021 in the UK
Apple student discounts 2021: Who's eligible?
Eligibility
- University/College students and any other higher/further education students
To put it simply, you must be enrolled at a recognized higher/further education institution such as a university or college. You also must be aged 16 or over in order to claim your discount and hold proof of your student status, such as official student identification. And if you're enrolled and still in high school, that shouldn't be a problem: post-high school students in the US or sixth-form and university students in the UK are also eligible.
- Parents of higher/further education students
If you're shopping for your child, you can be eligible for an Apple student discount too, provided that your child is enrolled in a higher/further education establishment as described above, of course. Do keep in mind, though, that if you're shopping for yourself and registering the device to your name, you won't be eligible.
- Staff members at higher/further education establishments
Good news: if you're a staff member at a recognized higher/further education establishment (both private and public), you can qualify for an Apple student discount to be applied to your purchases, too. You're required to show valid proof of your employment, such as appropriate documentation. You also don't have to be a teacher or a lecturer; non-teaching staff members are eligible. It's also worth noting that homeschool teachers, as well as serving members of a school board and service executives of a parent-teacher association or organization, are also eligible.
Apple student discounts 2021: How to get it
How to get an Apple student discount
Before we go any further, this article only covers the basics — so read our full how to get an Apple student discount guide for a more detailed explainer.
As we covered above, you don't have to be a student to qualify for an Apple student discount; you can also get it as a parent of a student or a staff member at a higher/further education establishment.
The process of getting the discount applied first and foremost depends on your location. If you're based in the U.S., you have to visit the Apple Store for Education, Apple's dedicated page for those wanting to get an Apple student discount.
Ideally, we recommend using your college/university network and simply following the steps outlined on the website to choose your devices. Be sure to have your student ID at hand (if you're a parent or a student) or paperwork proving your employment (if you're a staff member). However, it's not guaranteed that you will be asked to present it, as it seems that U.S. Apple stores perform such checks at random.
If you're located in the U.K., you should also head over to the U.K. Apple Store for Education. There, you will be asked to sign up online through a popular student discount site called Unidays. Signing up is free, though you will need to provide the name of your higher/further education establishment as well as further details regarding the course that you're undertaking. And if you're a parent or a staff member, you will be asked to fill out a similar form to prove your eligibility status.
However, the best and the quickest way is the old-fashioned way: popping out to an Apple Store in person or contacting Apple via phone or an online chat, if your local COVID-19 restrictions do not permit the former.
