So you moved to Dubai — land of skyscrapers, supercars, and coffee that costs more than your self-respect. But pause. Being a student here does not mean you must survive on Maggi and regret. Dubai is secretly a student discount wonderland — if you know where to look.
This guide is your financial survival manual for living your best academic life without burning your wallet into ash.
Whether you’re a campus regular, hostel warrior, online class ninja, or “I come only for exams” champion — this one is for you.
Also read:
How to Budget Student Life in Dubai — a practical guide to planning weekly expenses, cutting unnecessary spending, and stretching your money without sacrificing your lifestyle.
TL;DR — Student Discounts & Free Perks in Dubai (tap to expand)
Quick wins you can use today:
- Transport: Get the NOL ISIC Student Card — save up to 50% on Metro, Bus & Tram.
- Flights: Emirates & Etihad student fares — around 10% off + extra baggage.
- Tech: Apple Education (5–10%), Samsung Student (up to 20%), zero-interest EMI at major retailers.
- Food & Coffee: 10–25% at big chains; stack codes on Talabat/Deliveroo; Entertainer = BOGO meals.
- Gyms: GymNation student pricing; Fitness First student offers; uni gyms often low-cost or free.
- Entertainment: VOX/Reel/Roxy weekday student tickets ~ AED 25–35.
- Software & Apps: Office 365 free, Adobe up to 60% off, Spotify/Apple Music student plans.
- Must-have apps: UNiDAYS, StudentBeans, The Entertainer, Nol Pay.
WOW-Emirates Expert Tip: Always ask for a student discount at checkout — many deals aren’t advertised.
Related reads:
Quick Savings Snapshot (Bookmark This)
| Category | You Can Save On | Typical Discount |
|---|---|---|
| Transport | Metro, Bus, Tram (NOL Student Card) | Up to 50% off |
| Flights | Emirates & Etihad Student Fares | Up to 10% + Extra baggage |
| Laptops & Phones | Apple / Samsung Education Deals | 5%–25% off |
| Food & Coffee | Chains + Discount Apps | 10%–50% off |
| Fitness | GymNation, Fitness First | Student Membership Pricing |
| Entertainment | Cinemas + Theme Parks | Special Weekday Student Rates |
| Software & Streaming | Adobe, Spotify, Office 365 | Student Pricing / Free |
WOW-Emirates Expert Tip: Always ask, even when it’s not advertised. Dubai loves a bold student with confidence.
1. Transportation Discounts (Your Wallet Will Thank You)
The Nol ISIC Student Card = Your Golden Ticket
If you haven’t applied for this yet — RUN, don’t walk.
This card is your 50% off access to:
- Dubai Metro
- Buses
- Trams
- Water buses (yes, those exist)
For updated Nol card top-up pricing and recent policy changes, see Dubai Metro Nol Card Top-Up Changes (2024 Guide)
How to Get It
| Requirement | What You Need |
|---|---|
| Age | 6–23 |
| Docs | Emirates ID + Student Enrollment Letter + Photo |
| Where | Nol Pay App |
| Cost | ~AED 95 total (includes ISIC registration) |
WOW-Emirates Expert Tip: Always top-up* your card in advance. Nothing is more painful than the metro gate saying “Insufficient Balance” while 200 people watch.
2. Air Travel Deals (Because Homesickness Is Real)
Emirates Student Fares
- ~10% off selected routes
- 10 kg extra baggage or 1 extra piece
- Flexible date changes
Etihad Airways Student Savings
- Up to 10% off economy fares
- Extra baggage included
Where to Claim:
Just select “Student Fare” during booking and verify ID at check-in.
WOW-Emirates Expert Tip: Book 6–8 weeks in advance. Last-minute student travel = emotional damage.
3. Tech & Electronics Discounts (For Assignments, Netflix… mostly Netflix)
Apple Education Store
- 5–10% off MacBooks & iPads
- Free AirPods / gift cards during seasonal promos
Samsung Student Program
- Up to 20% off phones & tablets
- Amazing for Galaxy Tab + S Pen note-taking students
| Best Student-Friendly Devices | Why They Work |
|---|---|
| iPad + Apple Pencil | Digital notes, slides, studying |
| Samsung Galaxy Tab S6 Lite | Budget + stylus + great battery |
| MacBook Air M2 | Lightweight, perfect for uni hustle |
| ASUS Vivobook | Affordable + good for everyday work |
Retailer Hacks:
| Store | Deal Type |
|---|---|
| Sharaf DG | Laptop + backpack + headphones bundles |
| Jumbo Electronics | Seasonal back-to-school offers |
| Virgin Megastore | Student + card-linked discounts |
WOW-Emirates Expert Tip: Check Zero-Interest EMI offers. It spreads cost without paying interest that feels like robbery.
4. Shopping & Fashion (Look Good Without Crying at Checkout)
H&M, Adidas, Nike via UNiDAYS
- Verify student status → Unlock discounts in UAE stores.
The Student NOL Card Also Works as a Shopping Discount Card
- Discounts across 130+ countries, not just Dubai.
- Save on:
- Clothing
- Cafés
- Entertainment
- Hotels
| Clothing & Lifestyle Discounts | Typical Savings |
|---|---|
| H&M | 10% off |
| Adidas + Nike (via UniDays) | 10–20% off |
| Foot Locker | Seasonal student sales |
WOW-Emirates Expert Tip: Don’t shop at malls on weekends. Go weekday nights — no queues + better offers.
5. Gym & Wellness (Look Fit Without Financial Pain)
| Gym | Student Deal | Why It’s Good |
|---|---|---|
| GymNation | Cheapest student memberships | Huge locations, open 24/7 |
| Fitness First | 10% off 4 & 6-month plans | Premium equipment, group classes |
| University Gyms | Often free or AED 100–200 | Closest + easiest |
WOW-Emirates Expert Tip: Don’t buy personal training. YouTube + consistency = free glow-up.
6. Entertainment & Food (The Real Struggle Section)
Cinema Deals
| Cinema | Student Price | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| VOX | ~AED 35 | Weekdays only |
| Reel | ~AED 25–30 | Show ID |
| Roxy | Movie + snack deals vary | Best on Mondays |
Food & Coffee Discounts
| Place | Discount Type |
|---|---|
| Starbucks, Costa, Tim Hortons | 10–25% off with student ID |
| Talabat, Deliveroo, Zomato | Endless promo codes |
| The Entertainer App | Buy 1 Get 1 Free on meals |
WOW-Emirates Expert Tip: Never order food without checking promo codes.
If you do, the universe will judge you.
7. Software & Apps (The Underrated Savings)
| Software / Service | Student Benefit |
|---|---|
| Microsoft Office 365 | FREE for university students |
| Adobe Creative Cloud | Up to 60% off |
| Figma | Free Education Plan |
| GitHub Student Developer Pack | ~$1000+ software free |
| Notion Pro | Free for students |
| Spotify / Apple Music | AED 19.99/month |
8. Telecom (Stay Connected Without Selling a Kidney)
| Provider | Student Plan Benefits |
|---|---|
| Etisalat Youth | Big data + social media add-ons |
| du Youth | Unlimited social + device discounts |
| Virgin Mobile Student Plans | Flexible bundles + cheaper roaming |
9. Streaming Happiness (Self-Care is Real)
| Platform | Student Cost | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Spotify Premium Student | AED 19.99 | Study playlists = survival |
| Apple Music Student | AED 19.99 | Includes Apple TV+ sometimes |
| YouTube Premium Student | AED 22.99 | Ad-free lectures (bless) |
| Amazon Prime Student | 6 months free | + free deliveries |
Final Word
Your student life in Dubai does not have to break the bank.
With the right discounts, a little confidence, and this guide bookmarked, you can:
- Travel cheaper
- Study smarter
- Eat better
- Stay entertained
- Look good
- And still have money left for karak tea
Carry your student ID. Ask for discounts. Brag about your savings.
This city rewards smart students.
Student Discounts in Dubai – Frequently Asked Questions ?
Yes! Dubai offers tons of student discounts on transport, food, electronics, gyms, entertainment, and shopping — you just need a valid student ID or digital verification through apps like UNiDAYS or StudentBeans.
The NOL ISIC Student Card gives you 50% off Dubai Metro, bus, and tram fares.
It also works as a global student discount card in 130+ countries.
Basically: cheaper transport + cheaper life = win.
If you use public transport daily, you can save up to AED 180–250 per month, depending on your routes. Over a year, that’s AED 2,000+ saved.
Yes! As long as you have a valid university/college enrollment in the UAE, you can apply for all the same student benefits, including the NOL ISIC card and UNiDAYS offers.
Most major cinemas, including VOX, Reel, and Roxy, offer student pricing on weekday showings.
Prices usually drop to AED 25–35 — just show your student ID.
Use Talabat, Deliveroo, or Zomato for ongoing student promo codes.
Plus, cafés like Starbucks, Costa, and Tim Hortons often offer 10–25% off with student ID.
And don’t sleep on The Entertainer app — Buy 1 Get 1 Free is a lifestyle.
Yes!
Apple Education Store gives 5–10% off MacBooks and iPads.
Samsung Student Program offers up to 20% off Galaxy devices.
Just verify your student status online.
Yes — gyms like GymNation and Fitness First have special student pricing.
University gyms may even be free or heavily discounted.
Absolutely.
Spotify Student → AED 19.99
Apple Music Student → AED 19.99
YouTube Premium Student → AED 22.99
Perfect for study mode + procrastination mode.
Download these apps:
UNiDAYS (for fashion, beauty, lifestyle stores)
StudentBeans (electronics + travel discounts)
The Entertainer (BOGO meals + activities)
Nol Pay (transport & student verification)
And always ask at checkout — some discounts are secretly available but not advertised.
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