Grab your uni food essentials for less with an Iceland student discount. That’s why uni students go to Iceland.
Sticking to a budget is really handy, especially when it comes down to food.
It might seem like the easy choice to pick up supermarket ready-meals on a whim (when you’re already super hungry) or to grab ‘a few bits’ — AKA random picky bits that don’t create a full meal and cost an obscene amount…
But then you may as well say goodbye to your student loan at that point.
Good news, though! You can actually save money and eat wholesome meals without breaking the bank. The key is to stock up on uni food essentials that go a long way, maybe even seeing you through to your second year (hello, dusty can of beans).
You may have already decked out your kitchen with uni kitchen essentials, so now it’s time to deck out the fridge, freezer, and cupboards with all things delicious.
And your partner in dine(ing)? The Iceland student discount. Your gateway to tasty eats and fuller wallets.
For more savings, check out the best food student discounts to help save you money on your meal out, coffee catch up, or night-in with a takeaway.
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Your uni food shopping list
We want to help you thrive at uni, gain independence, and most importantly, get confident in the kitchen. Because everyone knows that food is the way to the heart, and brain, and everything else…
Long story short, if you’re not eating well, you won’t be studying well.
While your brain is trying to balance out meeting new people, living in a new town, and having to learn some hardcore stuff, we want to help take some of the stress away and give you your essential uni food shopping list.
One less thing for you to worry about.
Basic staples
Below are the essential ingredients you need to make almost all of your meals as a student, plus how well each one keeps so you're not throwing money away.
Item | Cupboard safe? | Freezer-friendly? |
Garlic | Yes — cool, dark, dry place | Yes — freeze whole peeled cloves, minced garlic, or paste - store in airtight containers |
Butter | No — but can be on countertop in butter dish | Yes — wrapped well in plastic or foil |
Fresh herbs | No — only dried herbs can be stored in cupboards, not fresh | Yes — fresh herbs freeze well |
Spices | Yes — cool, dark, dry place | Yes — airtight containers, small portions |
Tinned chopped tomatoes | Yes — if unopened | Not ideal unless already cooked into a sauce |
Tomato paste | Yes — if unopened | Yes |
Rice | Yes | Yes — but not necessary as shelf-life in cupboard is long |
Pasta | Yes | Yes — but unnecessary |
Noodles | Yes | No |
Stock cubes | Yes | Liquid stock can be frozen |
Potatoes | Yes — cool, dry, dark place | Yes — but not recommended if potatoes are uncooked |
Condiments i.e ketchup | Yes — if unopened, but most will need refrigerating if opened | No |
Oats | Yes — in cool, dry, dark place | Yes — airtight containers |
Cereal | Yes | Not recommended |
Honey | Yes | Not needed |
Pesto | Yes — if unopened. Once opened it must be put in the fridge | Yes |
If the thought of buying ingredients and cooking makes you want to eye-roll, why not get them delivered with some genuinely tasty recipes instead? Get a HelloFresh student discount with Student Beans.
Meat, vegan, vegetarian alternatives
(To the tune of Jolene by Dolly Parton) Protein, protein, protein, proteeein; I’m begging of you, please give me some hammm*.
*Other proteins/vegan alternatives are available.
Protein is needed to keep your immune system in tip-top shape, making sure you can thrive and study at the same time. So make sure you’re adding some sort of protein to your shopping basket!
Protein, especially meat, can tip the scales of your budget, so we’ve tried to offer the most affordable options below.
Meat | Vegetarian | Vegan (also veggie) |
Chicken thighs ( a cheaper cut than breast, and just as versatile) | Eggs (heap, versatile, and good in everything from a fry-up to a salad) | Tofu (absorbs the flavour of whatever sauce you cook it in) |
Chicken drumsticks | Greek yoghurt | Chickpeas (a great protein source for meatless dishes) |
Chicken wings | Cheese | Lentils (packed with protein and easy on the loan) |
Beef mince (a staple in bolognese, chilli and more, and cheap to buy in various fat percentages) | Edamame | Oats |
Turkey mince (a white meat (and sometimes cheaper) alternative to minced beef) | Quinoa | Wholegrains |
Pork mince | Buckwheat | Nuts/nut butters |
Tinned fish (like tuna) | Seeds — pumpkin, sunflower | Nutritional yeast |
Sausages | Wholegrain rice | Tempeh |
If you're a vegan or a veggie looking for more cooking inspo, read our article: 26 quick and easy vegan and vegetarian student recipes.
Freezer foods
Frozen meals and freezer foods are lifesavers for busy students.
Iceland has a whole funfair of frozen options (as well as plenty of fresh and cupboard essentials!) to choose from. They even have products from top-name food brands like Greggs and MyProtein, so you can still enjoy your faves on a budget and from the comfort of your uni kitchen.
Quick snacks
It’s always handy having some frozen snacks in the freezer for when you’re feeling a little peckish. You might usually be tempted to pop down to Greggs for a (luke)warm pasty, but what if you could get it hot and fresh out of your kitchen?
Iceland's frozen own-brand and Greggs ranges are some of the cheapest ways to feed yourself between lectures. A 4-pack of Greggs frozen sausage rolls from Iceland works out at around 87p each (even less if you buy the 8-pack), compared to roughly £1.30 for a fresh one in a Greggs shop.
Freshly baked sausage rolls... imagine the smell wafting through your uni flat
Keep an eye out for Iceland's rolling 3 for £10 Mix & Match deal on frozen snacks and party food, which regularly includes Greggs bakes, sausage rolls and mini pizzas. The same mini pizzas from major supermarkets like Asda, Morrisons, Tesco and Sainsbury's usually go for around 60-80p each too, so it's worth comparing before you buy.
Meal staples
Frozen peas, carrots, broccoli and other veg — keep for months and cut down on food waste
Iceland's 3 for £12 Mix & Match deal on chicken and meat (think burgers, quarter pounders and joints) is a solid way to stock the freezer for cheap
Iceland's 10 for £10 Easy Teas deal covers ready meals and quick dinners for when you can't be bothered to cook
A few frozen extras — easy to overspend here, so stick to your list
Frozen veg picks
With Iceland’s 3 for £5 frozen veg deal, you can grab the likes of:
Frozen cauliflower florets
Broccoli florets
Mixed veg
Peas
Mixed peppers
Sweetcorn and mini corn on the cobs
Sliced carrots (saves on prep time!)
Spinach
Green beans
Dairy & non-dairy alternatives
Major supermarkets, including Iceland, all do their own brand of dairy and non-dairy products. They're cheaper than buying the branded stuff and don't taste that much different. These include:
Cow's milk (whole, semi-skimmed, skimmed)
Soya milk
Almond milk
Oat milk
Cheese
Yoghurt
Want to save even more? Invest in UHT (long-life) versions of the various milks available in supermarkets too.
It’s worth ensuring you have a couple of dairy/dairy-alternative products in your fridge to help zhuzh up your weekly menu.
If you’re friendly with your flatmates, buy communal milk and cheese for everyone to use and take turns purchasing when you run out. It’s better than having 3 of the same milks in the fridge, slowly turning rancid…
Fruits & veg
Fruit and veg is a fundamental part of a student’s diet, or at least, it should be. You need to be eating nutritious food to help beat illness, i.e. the dreaded Freshers’ Flu, but a diet packed full of fruit and veg will also help with your focus in class and studying. That’s what uni is all about, right?
It's a myth that fruit and veg are expensive. Buying in season makes them far cheaper, and buying frozen means they'll keep for much longer without you worrying about them going off.
If freezer space is an issue or you'd rather have fresh ingredients, here's a list of essentials. When buying fresh, always check whether loose or pre-packed works out cheaper — loose is usually the winner, and it cuts down on food waste too.
Vegetables:
Frozen veggies — peas, carrots, broccoli, parsnips, cauliflower and more from the freezer aisle
Beans and pulses — mega cheap, especially own-brand, and great in a chilli or piled on toast
Fruit:
Bananas — one of the cheapest fruits you can buy, typically 10p to 15p each loose depending on the supermarket
Apples — packed with vitamins and cheapest bought loose rather than bagged
Oranges — a cheap way to get your vitamin C fix, usually sold in nets
Frozen fruits — mango, pineapple and berries taste just as good defrosted or blended into a smoothie
Top tip: Freeze your veg to prolong their freshness
Tips to save on food shopping
Our number one tip for saving money on food shopping? Signing up to Student Beans to unlock food and drink student discounts on all your fave brands. You’ll find amazing deals like the Iceland student discount offering money off your first online shop.
Other tips to save on food shopping include:
Compare supermarket prices — we've got the cheapest online supermarket for delivery to help you save even more of your student loan.
Write a shopping list — and stick to it as closely as possible!
Waste nothing
Don’t go shopping when you’re hungry — this will only increase the amount of snacks you add to your basket (costing you a lot more than planned!).
Buy frozen or freeze raw ingredients
Turn last night’s dinner into today's lunch
Don’t buy the top-name brands — many supermarkets have cheaper brand alternatives that taste the same as the real deal.
Cook with pulses
Buy cheaper cuts of meat, like chicken thigh instead of breast
Research cheap recipes — start with our budget meal recipes for under 50p
Cook from scratch
Why do students shop at Iceland?
To quote a user on Reddit, ‘When I was a student, I would have starved to death if it wasn’t for Iceland!’
Iceland really has got every student’s back. The budget-saving deals, the huge variety of frozen essentials and treats, the assortment of fresh produce; it’s no surprise that Iceland is a firm fave in uni towns.
Current Iceland student discounts via Student Beans include:
£12 off a £60 spend for new customers placing their first order
£7 off a £50 spend for new customers
£2 off a £70 spend, open to new and existing customers
Delivery that works for student budgets:
Their delivery services are also one of the best supermarket delivery options at the moment, with free next day delivery if you spend £40 or more (minimum order value £25).
They even offer same day delivery depending on the time you place your order. In most cases, you can order same day delivery up to an hour and a half before the slot e.g. if you want a 7:00pm-9:00pm slot, you can book it up until 5:30pm — you’ll need to spend at least £25 to qualify and the delivery will cost £3.20 - £6 depending on the time slot.
Iceland really understands last minute shopping; a student saviour.
Iceland nearest to you
Use Iceland's store locator to find your nearest branch, whether you need a full shop or just a top-up on the way home from lectures.
Need more? Read our ultimate guide to student food.
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.
