As a student, investing in the right software for your new laptop is crucial to maximize productivity and streamline your studies. From taking notes to managing projects, enhancing creativity, and securing your online presence, there are several software subscriptions designed specifically to cater to student needs. Many of these tools offer valuable student discounts, helping you save while still gaining access to premium services.
In this article, we’ll explore the top software subscriptions that every student should consider when purchasing a new laptop. We’ll cover their benefits, pricing in the UK (GBP), and availability of student discounts, ensuring you can make an informed choice for your academic success.
Microsoft 365 (Student Discount) – Essential Office Suite for Every Student
Microsoft 365 is one of the most widely used productivity tools among students. It includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, and OneNote, making it an all-in-one solution for creating assignments, presentations, and keeping track of your emails and schedule.
- Price: £59.99/year (Microsoft 365 Personal)
- Student Discount: Available with Microsoft 365 Education for students, offering free access to Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, and Microsoft Teams.
Microsoft 365 helps students stay organized, collaborate in real-time, and store files securely using OneDrive. The student plan includes 1 TB of cloud storage, allowing you to access your files from anywhere.
Google Workspace for Education – Free Cloud-Based Tools for Students
Google Workspace for Education offers a set of cloud-based tools perfect for students and educational institutions. With Google Docs, Sheets, Slides, and Google Drive, you can work on your projects and share them seamlessly with others.
- Price: Free for Education (Google Workspace for Education Fundamentals)
- Student Discount: Not applicable as it’s free for educational use.
Google Workspace integrates perfectly with Google Classroom, allowing students to collaborate with teachers and peers effortlessly. Since it’s a cloud-based platform, you can access your work from any device connected to the internet.
Adobe Creative Cloud (Student Discount) – Essential Design and Creative Tools
For students in creative fields like graphic design, video editing, or photography, Adobe Creative Cloud is an indispensable tool. It provides access to industry-standard apps such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Premiere Pro, and more.
- Price: £16.24/month (Student plan, discounted from £49.94/month)
- Student Discount: 65% discount for students
The student plan for Adobe Creative Cloud gives you access to over 20 creative applications at a fraction of the price, making it a perfect choice for students pursuing creative arts, design, or media studies.
Spotify (Student Plan) – Music for Focus and Relaxation
Listening to music can boost concentration while studying, and Spotify’s Student Plan gives you access to millions of songs, podcasts, and playlists at a discounted rate.
- Price: £5.99/month (Student plan)
- Student Discount: 50% off the regular premium price, with access to Hulu and Showtime (US only)
Spotify’s Student Plan offers ad-free listening, offline downloads, and higher-quality streaming, helping students stay focused and motivated.
Grammarly (Premium, Student Discount) – Improve Writing and Grammar Skills
Grammarly is a powerful tool that helps students refine their writing by offering grammar, punctuation, and style suggestions. It’s especially useful when writing essays, research papers, or personal statements.
- Price: £11.66/month (Premium plan)
- Student Discount: 20% discount available for students
With Grammarly Premium, students can avoid embarrassing grammar mistakes and improve their writing style, which is critical for achieving better academic results.
Dropbox (Plus/Professional) – Secure Cloud Storage for Large Files
Dropbox is a popular cloud storage solution that allows students to store large files securely and share them easily with others. It’s ideal for students dealing with large media files, group projects, and research data.
- Price: £9.99/month (Plus), £16.58/month (Professional)
- Student Discount: No specific student discount
With Dropbox Plus or Professional, you can access advanced features such as 2 TB of storage, file recovery, and better collaboration options, making it a great tool for managing and backing up your important files.
Evernote (Premium) – A Comprehensive Note-Taking Tool for Students
Evernote is a powerful note-taking app that allows students to organize their notes, to-do lists, and research in one place. It offers features like clipping web pages, attaching PDFs, and creating notebooks for different subjects.
- Price: £5.99/month (Premium)
- Student Discount: No specific student discount available
Evernote is perfect for students who need to keep track of multiple courses and projects, providing an organized workspace that syncs across devices.
Notion (Personal Pro, Free for Students) – All-in-One Workspace for Organizing Projects
Notion is a versatile tool that combines note-taking, task management, databases, and collaboration features into one platform. It’s particularly popular among students for its customizable and user-friendly interface.
- Price: £3.60/month (Personal Pro)
- Student Discount: Free for students with a valid educational email address
Students can use Notion to manage their academic projects, notes, and even personal tasks, making it one of the most flexible tools available.
Coursera (Discounted/Free Courses) – Expand Your Learning with Online Courses
Coursera is a leading online learning platform offering thousands of courses across various disciplines. Students can learn new skills, explore different fields, or gain certifications to boost their resumes.
- Price: Varies by course (some are free, others are discounted for students)
- Student Discount: Free and discounted courses available for students
With Coursera, students can access courses from top universities and companies, making it an excellent platform for expanding their education beyond the classroom.
Trello (Premium) – Simplified Project Management for Group Projects
Trello is an easy-to-use project management tool that helps students organize their tasks, group projects, and deadlines. Its visual boards and card system make it simple to track progress and collaborate with others.
- Price: £9.99/month (Premium)
- Student Discount: No specific student discount available
Trello’s intuitive interface is ideal for managing study groups, keeping track of assignments, and breaking down larger tasks into manageable steps.
Canva (Pro, Education Plan) – Easy-to-Use Design Tool for Creative Projects
Canva is a graphic design tool that allows students to create stunning presentations, posters, social media posts, and more. It’s a great tool for students who need to create visually appealing content but lack professional design skills.
- Price: £10.99/month (Pro)
- Student Discount: Free access to Canva Pro for students and educators with Canva for Education
Canva’s Education Plan offers free access to premium features, making it an excellent choice for students who need to create visual content for assignments or extracurricular activities.
LastPass (Premium) – Secure Password Management for Busy Students
LastPass is a password manager that helps students store and organize their passwords securely. It’s an essential tool for students juggling multiple accounts for academic platforms, email, and other online services.
- Price: £2.90/month (Premium)
- Student Discount: No specific student discount available
With LastPass Premium, students can access their passwords from any device and enjoy features like password sharing and secure notes.
AutoDesk (Free for Students) – Essential Software for Engineering and Design Students
AutoDesk offers free access to its powerful software tools like AutoCAD, Revit, and Maya for students. These tools are essential for engineering, architecture, and design students working on complex projects.
- Price: Free for students
- Student Discount: Completely free for students
AutoDesk’s free student access ensures that you can use top-tier software without any cost, helping you excel in your studies without financial barriers.
Mathway (Premium) – Math Problem Solver for Every Student
Mathway is a valuable tool for students studying mathematics, providing solutions to complex math problems across various subjects like algebra, calculus, and statistics.
- Price: £7.49/month (Premium)
- Student Discount: No specific student discount available
Mathway Premium offers step-by-step explanations, making it easier for students to understand how to solve even the toughest problems.
Kaspersky/Bitdefender (Student Discounts) – Cybersecurity Solutions for Students
Both Kaspersky and Bitdefender offer robust antivirus solutions to keep students’ laptops safe from malware, ransomware, and other online threats.
- Price: £25/year (Kaspersky), £29.99/year (Bitdefender)
- Student Discount: Available with student discounts on both platforms
Protecting your laptop with reliable antivirus software is essential, especially when accessing online resources and storing sensitive academic information.
Investing in the Right Software for Academic Success
Purchasing a new laptop is just the first step for students. To truly make the most out of their studies, investing in the right software subscriptions is crucial. From productivity tools like Microsoft 365 and Google Workspace to creative suites like Adobe Creative Cloud and Canva, there are plenty of options to cater to various academic and personal needs.
By leveraging student discounts, you can access premium tools at a fraction of the cost, ensuring you stay organized, productive, and creative throughout your academic journey.
Protect Your Investment and Peace of Mind with Student Laptop Insurance
Laptop insurance is an essential consideration for students, as it protects your device from common risks like accidental damage, theft, or loss. With the increasing dependence on laptops for academic tasks, having coverage ensures you’re financially protected from costly repairs or replacements. Many insurance providers offer affordable premiums and quick repair services, reducing any disruption to your studies.
By investing in a comprehensive insurance policy, students can avoid the stress and expense that come with unexpected laptop mishaps. Look for student discounts and global coverage options to get the best deal and protection for your laptop, especially if you travel or study abroad.
