Let's be real for a second. Being a student in 2026 is basically a full-time job of trying to look like you have money while your bank account balance looks like a temperature in the Arctic. Honestly, the struggle is loud. You want the viral "going out" top, the oversized blazer that makes you look like you actually attend your 9 AM lectures, and maybe those cargo pants everyone on TikTok is obsessed with. But the price tags? Not so much.
That’s where the Pretty Little Thing student discount comes in. Most people think it’s just a "click and save" situation, but if you’ve ever tried to use a code and seen that "Invalid" message pop up at checkout, you know it’s kinda more complicated than that.
How the Pretty Little Thing Student Discount Actually Works
First off, don't just go searching for random codes on shady websites. You'll just end up with 400 spam emails and zero savings. PLT doesn't really do "manual" student codes anymore. Instead, they’ve outsourced the gatekeeping to the big three: Student Beans, UNiDAYS, and sometimes Gocertify.
If you're in the UK, Student Beans is usually the MVP here. In the US, it’s a toss-up between Beans and UNiDAYS. Basically, you have to log into one of these platforms, prove you actually go to school (usually with a .edu or .ac.uk email), and then they give you a unique, one-time-use string of letters and numbers.
The percentage changes constantly. It's like the stock market but for bodycon dresses.
I’ve seen it sit at a standard 10% for months, then suddenly jump to 25% or 30% during Freshers' Week or right before a major bank holiday. Right now, in early 2026, many students are seeing around 10% to 12% extra off, even on top of some sale items. But—and this is a big "but"—it rarely applies to everything.
The Fine Print That Ruins Your Basket
You’ve spent three hours building the perfect haul. You’ve got the boots, the earrings, the new "PLT Beauty" lip kit, and that one premium sequined dress for your formal. You hit "apply" on your student code.
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Suddenly, your discount is like $4. Why? Because the Pretty Little Thing student discount has more exclusions than a VIP club in Mayfair.
- Beauty is almost always out. Don’t expect to save on that eyeshadow palette.
- The "50 for £5" or "£5 Dresses" ranges. These are already priced so low that PLT basically says "no more."
- Premium and Collaboration lines. If it’s a high-end collab or part of the "PLT Premium" collection, your code is likely useless.
- Delivery charges. No, the code won't make shipping free. You’ll need "PLT Royalty" for that.
Is PLT Royalty Better Than the Student Discount?
Honestly, if you shop there more than three times a year, the student discount alone isn't enough. You should look at PLT Royalty. It’s their version of Amazon Prime. You pay a flat fee for the year (usually around £9.99 or $15ish), and you get unlimited next-day delivery.
If you're a student, sometimes they run promos where you get Royalty for even cheaper. Pro tip: Check the Student Beans app specifically for "Royalty" deals. Sometimes they bundle the student discount with a cheaper delivery pass, which is the actual "pro move" for saving money.
The Secret "Sale on Sale" Trick
Here’s what most people get wrong. They think you can't use a student discount on sale items.
Actually, you usually can.
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PLT is famous for their "Everything" sales—those 60%, 70%, or 80% off banners that take over the site. Usually, your Pretty Little Thing student discount will stack as an extra percentage. So, if the site is 70% off, your code might give you an "Extra 10% off the sale price."
It’s not 70 + 10 = 80% off the original price (math is hard, I know). It’s 10% off the already reduced price. Still, it’s better than nothing, and it’s how people end up getting £30 tops for like £6.
Verification Headaches: What to Do When It Breaks
Sometimes Student Beans just... stops working. It happens. If you’re trying to get your Pretty Little Thing student discount and it says you aren't verified, don't panic.
- Check your graduation date. If you told the app you were graduating in 2025 and it’s now 2026, they’ve cut you off. You might need to upload a photo of your new student ID.
- Clear your cookies. Seriously. PLT’s site can be glitchy. If the code isn't applying, open an Incognito/Private window and try again.
- App vs. Desktop. Sometimes codes are "App Only." If you're on a laptop and the code fails, download the app and try there. Often, the app gives a higher discount anyway (I’ve seen 20% on the app vs 10% on the site).
What About Graduates?
If you just finished uni, you don't have to go cold turkey on the savings. GradBeans is a thing. It’s a branch of Student Beans that gives you a "grace period" for about five years after you graduate. The discount is usually a bit lower—maybe 10% instead of 20%—but it’s a solid way to keep the Pretty Little Thing student discount vibes going while you're working your first "real" job.
Actionable Steps to Maximize Your Savings
Stop leaving money on the table. If you're about to checkout, do these three things first:
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- Compare Platforms: Open Student Beans and UNiDAYS. Sometimes one has 15% while the other only has 10% for the exact same store. It sounds petty, but it adds up.
- Check the App First: PLT almost always prioritizes their app users. Check the home screen of the app for "App Exclusive" codes before using your student one. You can't stack them, so pick the one that takes the most off.
- Time Your Haul: If it’s Tuesday and you can wait, wait until Friday. PLT almost always bumps up their discount percentages for the weekend.
The reality is that the Pretty Little Thing student discount is a tool, not a magic wand. You have to know when to use it and when to pivot to a different promo code. Use your .edu email for everything it's worth while you still can.