There's no reason to be paying full price for a SIM plan when you're a student. Between EE, O2, Three, Vodafone and a growing list of budget networks like VOXI, SMARTY and giffgaff, there's a genuinely huge range of student SIM only deals up for grabs right now — some offering serious amounts of data for less than a tenner a month.
The tricky part is knowing which one's actually worth switching to. So we've pulled together every current student SIM deal in one place, from the Big Four to the budget MVNOs riding on their networks, so you can compare and pick the best one for how you actually use your phone.
New to picking a plan altogether, or shopping for a new handset to go with it? Our ultimate mobile phones buying guide is a good place to start before you commit to a network.
Download the Student Beans app to verify your student status once and unlock every deal below.
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What to look for in a student SIM plan
Before comparing prices, it's worth knowing what actually matters. A few things to check on any plan:
Contract length — 30-day rolling plans (common with VOXI, SMARTY and giffgaff) let you leave any time. 12- or 24-month plans usually come with a lower monthly price, but you're locked in.
Data allowance — think about how much you actually stream, hotspot or download on the move, not just at home on Wi-Fi.
Network coverage — budget networks all run on one of the Big Four's masts, so it's worth checking coverage at your postcode before committing (giffgaff and Tesco Mobile run on O2; SMARTY runs on Three; VOXI runs on Vodafone and Three; 1pMobile runs on EE).
Price rises — some contracts increase mid-term in line with inflation. Always check the small print.
SIM only deals at a glance
Prices below are current student offers via Student Beans, correct at the time of research. Always check the live price in-app before signing up, since networks change their deals often.
Network | Current student deal | Contract length |
|---|---|---|
75GB for £10/month | 12 months | |
80GB for £10/month (up to 500GB for £20/month) | 30-day rolling | |
50GB or 80GB for £8/month | 30-day rolling | |
40GB for £12/month | 30-day rolling | |
20% off all SIM-only plans | 1, 12 or 24 months | |
20% off monthly airtime on SIM-only plans | Varies by plan | |
Student discount on selected SIM-only plans | Varies by plan | |
Unlimited data for £17.50/month | 24 months | |
10% off for life + 50GB data boost | 30-day rolling |
Our pick for most students: if you want zero commitment, SMARTY's 50GB for £8/month is hard to beat. If you need serious data for hotspotting a laptop between lectures, VOXI's 500GB for £20/month wins on pure value.
Best budget SIM deals: VOXI, SMARTY, giffgaff & more
Budget networks (also called MVNOs) run on one of the Big Four's masts, so you're not sacrificing coverage — just the brand name.
VOXI
Runs on Vodafone and Three's combined network. Every plan below includes unlimited social media, music and video streaming that doesn't touch your data allowance, plus a free first month.
Plan | Price with Student Beans |
|---|---|
80GB | £10/month |
100GB | £12/month |
140GB | £15/month |
500GB | £20/month |
SMARTY
Runs on Three's network. No annual price rises, 5G as standard, and every plan includes EU roaming up to 12GB.
Plan | Price with Student Beans |
|---|---|
50GB | £8/month |
80GB | £8/month |
giffgaff
Runs on O2's network, with access to thousands of free UK Wi-Fi hotspots and EU roaming.
Plan | Price with Student Beans |
|---|---|
40GB | £12/month |
Get your giffgaff student deal
Tesco Mobile & 1pMobile
Tesco Mobile runs on O2 and earns you Clubcard points on every bill — currently unlimited data for £17.50/month on a 24-month term. 1pMobile runs on EE and offers students 10% off for life plus a 50GB data boost on top.
See the Tesco Mobile student deal
Best SIM deals from the Big Four: EE, O2, Three, Vodafone
If coverage and reputation matter more to you than shaving off every last pound, the Big Four are worth a look — and all four currently run a student discount.
O2
Plan | Price with Student Beans |
|---|---|
10GB | £7/month |
75GB | £10/month (12-month SIMO) |
50GB | £20/month (24-month SIMO) |
O2 students also get Priority gig ticket access and regular 2-for-1 cinema deals thrown in.
Three
Three offers 20% off SIM-only plans across 1-, 12- and 24-month terms, including its higher-tier Value and Complete plans. You'll also unlock Three+ rewards, including discounted Cineworld tickets and Caffè Nero drinks.
EE
EE gives students 20% off the monthly airtime on SIM-only and Flex Pay plans. Apply your Student Beans code before signing up, since it can't be added retrospectively.
Vodafone
Vodafone runs a rotating set of student SIM-only offers, with discounts of up to 20% on selected plans. Check the live page for the current terms before signing up.
Get your Vodafone student deal
All four of the Big Four also sell phones on contract, not just SIM-only. If you're weighing up a new handset alongside your plan, see our breakdown of the best iPhone deals for students and the best (and worst) times to buy an iPhone before you sign anything.
Browse every current tech and mobile student deal to see what else is worth grabbing this term, or head straight to the SIM-only and PAYG category for the full list.
Big Four vs budget networks: which should you choose?
Choose a Big Four network (EE, O2, Three, Vodafone) if:
You want the network's own customer service and app, not a third party's
You want extras like Priority tickets, Three+ rewards or entertainment bundles
You'd rather have a 12- or 24-month price locked in than a rolling monthly one
Choose a budget MVNO (VOXI, SMARTY, giffgaff, Tesco Mobile, 1pMobile) if:
You want the cheapest possible price for the data you actually use
You'd rather not be tied into a long contract while you're still deciding on a network
You're happy trading a few extras for a genuinely lower monthly bill
Sorting the rest of your student tech kit
A new SIM is usually just one part of the back-to-term tech shop. Here's what else is worth checking out:
Getting a new laptop?
The best laptops for Sims 4 (yes, this is a genuine student search — no judgement)
Need something to listen to while you're out and about on your new data plan?
FAQs Do students get a discount on SIM only deals?
Yes. EE, O2, Three and Vodafone all run student discounts on selected SIM-only plans, and budget networks like VOXI, SMARTY and giffgaff offer discounted student-only data bundles too, all verified through Student Beans.
What's the cheapest SIM only deal for students right now?
At the time of writing, SMARTY's 50GB for £8/month and VOXI's 80GB for £10/month are among the cheapest genuinely large data plans available to students. Always check the live price before signing up, since these deals rotate.
Are budget SIM networks like giffgaff and SMARTY reliable?
Yes — MVNOs run on one of the Big Four's own masts (giffgaff and Tesco Mobile use O2's network; SMARTY uses Three's; VOXI uses Vodafone and Three's), so coverage is identical to the host network. You're mainly trading brand extras for a lower price, not signal quality.
Can I switch SIM networks without losing my number?
Yes. Text PAC to 65075 from your current SIM to get a code, then give that code to your new network when you sign up. Your number transfers automatically, usually within one working day.
Should I get a 30-day rolling SIM or a 12/24-month contract?
Rolling plans (common with VOXI, SMARTY and giffgaff) give you the flexibility to switch or cancel any time, which suits most students. Longer contracts often have a slightly lower monthly price, but you're locked in — worth it only if you're confident you won't want to switch mid-course.
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