Student Beans Freshers’ events are going full sci-fi this autumn. The SB UNIverse is landing in three of the UK's biggest student shopping spots, and it's a pop-up you can actually step inside.
Games, freebies, free photos and one seriously good tech prize. Entry costs nothing — you just need the app.
What is the SB UNIverse?
Think Student Beans in real life, but a lot stranger. The SB UNIverse is a 5m x 5m immersive pop-up split into four category Verses, and each one hides its own game, freebie or prize.
It takes the cloud-like world of the UNIverse campaign off your phone screen and drops it into the middle of your local shopping centre. Expect glow-ups, sweet treats, a reflex test and a very generous amount of Student Beans branding.
When and where is the SB UNIverse landing?
Three cities, three dates, three chances to get involved.
Location | date | time |
|---|---|---|
Thursday 24 September | 11am–7pm | |
Monday 28 September | 2:30pm–7:30pm | |
Thursday 1 October | 6pm–10pm |
Already settled into your city? The Leeds, Newcastle and Manchester student discount hubs round up what else is worth your money nearby.
How do you get into the SB UNIverse?
Three steps, all pretty simple and none of them involve queuing in the rain.
Sign up for the event in your city
Show your event pass/registration email when you arrive.
What's inside the SB UNIverse?
Four "Verses", and something to take home from every one of them.
1. The BeautyVERSE: free glow-up photos and a Boots freebie
Step up to the BeautyVERSE Mirror, tap the screen and pose. A glowing LED ring light does the hard work, and your photos print instantly — Student Beans branded, ready for the wall above your desk.
Everyone who takes part walks away with a free Boots Glow Gloss sample too. Freshers' photos and a lip gloss, sorted in under a minute.
2. The TechVERSE: play Strike a Light to win a MacBook
This is where it gets competitive. Strike a Light is a head-to-head reflex game — lights flash up, you hit them, and the quicker you are, the quicker it gets. Blink, and there goes half a second.
Every score lands on a live leaderboard, and one winner gets crowned at each event. The prize is a 13" MacBook Neo, which makes it worth turning up early.
3. The FoodVERSE: grab free candy floss
Freshly spun candy floss in Student Beans packaging. No catch and no queue-and-scan — grab a stick and keep exploring.
4. The StyleVERSE: build your own bag charm
Bag charms are everywhere right now, so build one that's actually yours. The StyleVERSE charm station lets you mix and match a collection of Student Beans charms into a keyring or bag charm.
It takes a few minutes, costs nothing, and it beats a wristband you'll never wear again as a Freshers souvenir.
Why the SB UNIverse is worth a visit
Freshers throws a lot at you at once. The SB UNIverse is the easy bit — no sign-up sheet for a society you'll ghost by October, no three-hour queue.
Come for the MacBook, the free photos, the charms or the candy floss. Or come because your flatmate dragged you over. Either way you'll leave knowing exactly where to find your student discounts for the rest of the year.
More ways to save during Freshers
Not in one of the three cities? There's still plenty going on. The Freshers' Week 2026 guide covers what to expect from the whole week, and The Ultimate Freshers' Guide handles the practical stuff — budgets, friends and surviving Freshers' flu.
Unlock even more with Student Beans
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- Sign up for a Student Beans account or log in to start saving on the biggest and best brands.
- Download the Student Beans app to unlock exclusive app-only discounts.
