Do Students Get Free Eye Tests?: Free Student Eye Tests 2025
Your guide to free student eye tests and where to get them.
Looking for free student eye tests? You’ve come to the right place; take a seat, get comfy.
Whether you regularly wear glasses, opt for contact lenses, or just worried about your eyesight, getting an eye test is super important — especially for you students.
Long nights spent typing hunched over a laptop, two-hour long lectures straining your eyes to see the board, all-nighters with your flatmates, it’s no wonder your eyes may need a little TLC.
We know adding another thing on your ‘Life Admin’ to-do list is not what you’re after, but we promise you it’s worth your time.
Prevention is easier than curing, so getting regular eye tests will help you stay on top of your eye health. So, once you’ve settled into university, make it your utmost priority to book an eye test at your local opticians. Your eyes will thank you.
A student budget may not be able to stretch very far at the best of times, but here are some ways you may be entitled to free student eye tests.
Last updated: 7th January 2025
Jump to:
- Do students get free eye tests?
- Do uni students get free eye tests?
- How much does an eye test cost UK?
- Are eye tests free in Scotland?
- Places uni students can get a free eye test
- Reasons to get an eye test
- Signs of poor eyesight
- How do I prove that I qualify for a free eye test?
Loading …Do students get free eye tests?
Students can get free eye tests, but you have to be aged 16, 17, or 18, and be in full-time education. Sorry part-timers!
However, there are some exceptions, though.
Looking for student discounts on eye tests and opticians? We’ve got you. Download the Student Beans app for discounts on opticians, plus all your favourite brands.
Do uni students get free eye tests?
Unfortunately, university students aren’t eligible for a free eye test under the NHS due to the majority being older than 18.
If that’s you, then you’ll have to pay for an eye test in most circumstances.
How much does an eye test cost UK?
The typical price for an eye test is between £20-£25, depending on whether you use local opticians or a larger chain.
However, if you are entitled to any of the following, or you’re under 20 years old and are the dependant of someone receiving any of the following, you may be entitled to an optical voucher, helping towards the cost of your glasses.
- Income support
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Pension Credit Guarantee Credit
- Universal Credit
Are eye tests free in Scotland?
Eye tests are free in Scotland if you meet any of the following criteria:
- Be a UK resident
- Be a refugee or asylum seeker
- Receive benefits such as income support, Universal Credit, jobseeker’s allowance, or pension credit
You’re also entitled to a free eye test if you’re under 20 years old and are a dependant of someone receiving benefits.
These eye checks are different from those you may have had in other parts of the UK. It’s not just to test your sight, it’s a more thorough examination to check the health of your eyes, and to look for signs of other health problems. It means that any problems you have with your eyes can be found before they become more serious.
Places uni students can get a free eye test
Do students get free eye tests anywhere anymore? Below are other places to get free student eye tests, get low-cost eye tests or discounts on eyewear if you’re a student.
Ace & Tate FREE student eye test
Ace & Tate offers free eye tests for students.
Plus, we do an exclusive Ace & Tate student discount, where you can get a £10 voucher when you spend £100 or more on prescription glasses.
Check out these Ace & Tate locations to find your local branch and book an eye test.
NHS student eye tests
The NHS offers vouchers towards your eye tests and eyewear under certain conditions.
You’re entitled to a free NHS sight test if you:
- Are under 16
- Are 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education (excluding university)
- Are 60 or over
- Are registered as partially sighted or blind
- Have been diagnosed with diabetes or glaucoma
- Are 40 or over and your mother, father, sibling or child has been diagnosed with glaucoma
- Have been advised by an eye doctor (ophthalmologist) that you’re at risk of glaucoma
- Are a prisoner on leave from prison
- Are eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher (your optician can advise you about your entitlement).
Boots eye test cost
Boots also no longer offer free eye tests (unless eligible under NHS regulations), but they do offer a generous Boots opticians student discount at 10% off prescription glasses and more.
A Boots eye test costs start from £29.95, depending on your needs.
Acuitis Opticians & Hearing Care
Get a free eye test and 2 for 1 on glasses with our Acuitis Opticians student discount.
Rawlings Opticians
Get a 15% Rawlings Opticians student discount on all eyewear.
Feel Good Contacts
Get 12.5% off if you’re a new customer, or 5% student discount for existing customers at Feel Good Contacts.
Vision Express eye test cost
Vision Express advanced eye test starts from £30. You can also get a 30% off student discount at Vision Express or save 30% when you spend £50 or more in-store, and a free eye test.
Winner winner, an eye test to help see your dinner.
M&S Opticians
Who knew M&S had an optician? M&S opticians are offering a 20% student discount and you can get a free online hearing check, too. Two in one!
Vision Direct
Vision Direct have a 5% student discount or a 12% student discount for new users (plus a free online trial of their best-seller everclear ELITE).
Specsavers eye test cost
Specsavers standard eye tests start from around £20, but it really varies based on what you’ll need from your eye test.
Specsavers don’t offer free eye tests for students, but they do offer a 25% student discount which you can use against glasses priced £69 and above. If you’re after an eye test but can’t afford it, an online eye test may be useful in letting you know if you should make an appointment for a proper eye test.
Lenstore free eye test
Use our Lenstore student discount for £10 off your purchase if you’re a new customer (£50 minimum spend) or get £5 off for existing customers.
Existing customers are also able to book a free eye test and contact lens check up, too.
New to university and feel tired, run down and have symptoms of the plague? You might be dealing with Freshers’ Flu.
Reasons to get an eye test
Getting your eyes tested regularly can ensure any problems are caught early and corrected. Here’s a whole list of reasons to regularly get your eyes tested:
- Having the correct prescription for your eyes can help improve quality of life
- They can detect conditions you may not realise you have, such as cataracts, glaucoma and more
- Good vision ensures your safety in everyday life
- Check if your current prescription needs updating to be stronger or weaker
- To check if you meet the legal requirements to drive or operate other vehicles
- Eyes can’t be replaced!
Signs of poor eyesight
You might think it’s obvious when your eyesight starts to deteriorate but there are many signs (subtle and not) that you may not realise is a cause for concern.
Some signs of poor eyesight may include:
- Objects look blurry or ‘fuzzy’
- Objects appear to have a ‘halo’ around it in bright light settings
- Headaches (caused by straining or squinting)
- Glare when looking at vehicle lights or in bright sunlight
- Floaters – lines, dots, or specks that float in your vision
- Double vision
- Needing a brighter light to read
- Eyesight is worse when driving/things moving
- If you have any of these signs or similar, it’s worth making an appointment with your opticians for an eye test just to be sure and prevent anything from getting worse.
Sometimes your overall health can impact certain factors, such as your eye sight. Choosing the best vitamins for your immune system can help you keep on top of your general wellbeing.
How do I prove that I qualify for a free eye test?
We’ve put together a table to show what proof you need to show for your free eye test.
| Reason you qualify for free eye test | What you can show as proof you qualify |
|---|---|
| Aged 16, 17 or 18 and in full-time education | Passport, student card, or driving license |
| Aged 60 or over | National Insurance number, passport, or driving license |
| Registered as partially-sighted or blind | Certificate of registration as partially-sighted or blind |
| Diagnosed with diabetes | Doctor’s name and surgery address |
| Diagnosed with glaucoma | Statement that you are a glaucoma sufferer |
| Advised by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor) that you’re at risk of glaucoma | Statement that you are at risk of developing glaucoma |
| You are receiving benefits that entitle you to NHS funding for eyecare | An entitlement letter stating the benefits you receive |
| Your partner is receiving benefits that entitle you to NHS funding for eyecare | Partners need to: be married or living together; have all of their partner’s details; and be able to prove the benefit received |
| You or your partner are receiving Pension Credit Guarantee Credit | Award notice from the Pension Centre |
| Entitled to, or named on, a valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate | A valid NHS tax credit exemption certificate |
| In need of complex lenses | No proof needed – the optician will decide during the eye test if complex lenses are required |
We hope this has given you all the information you need about eye tests as a student and eyewear. Sign up to Student Beans to redeem our free eye test offers or get discounts on glasses and eyewear.
