Benefits of ISIC: The International Student ID Card

If you’re in the process of moving abroad to study - or you're a UK student heading abroad on holiday - you may be wondering how you can continue to access the best student discounts and deals from your new country of residence.

That's where ISIC (International Student Identity Card) comes in - the only internationally-recognised proof of full-time student status issued in over 130 countries. 

ISIC makes studying abroad easier (and cheaper) than ever - check out our Student Guide to Studying Abroad - as you can simply show your ISIC card to prove your status as a full-time student and begin making the most of those sweet savings…

Better still, the ISIC card isn’t just for university or higher education students - it’s for any student aged 12 or above who is studying full-time at school, college or university. 

What are the benefits of ISIC?

The ISIC card is recognised by universities, academic institutions, student organisations, national governments and ministries of education around the world, meaning you can easily prove your student status whilst studying abroad. 

Here are some of the main benefits of an ISIC card:

1. Access to exclusive student discounts and deals 

Who doesn’t love saving money? Many countries offer specific discounts to students to help keep costs as low as possible whilst studying, and the ISIC card allows you to access these discounts with ease. 

From travel and technology discounts to entertainment and dining deals, you’ll save on all the essentials and more in no time. Whether it’s a trip to the cinema with your best friends or you’re splashing out on a new laptop, you’ll save money with your ISIC card. 

Boasting discounts with huge brands such as Apple, Samsung and Vue as well as incredible exclusive offers on days out and global attractions, ISIC has something for everybody. You’ll even save on transportation and travel, whether that’s 15% discount on train tickets with FlixTrain or $15 off your first Uber ride. 

You’ll have the choice of tens of thousands of student discounts with an ISIC card, so you can guarantee you’ll find something suited to you! 

2. Proof of student status 

Another huge benefit of ISIC is that, first and foremost, it is a student identity card, meaning it acts as a form of verification of your status as a full-time student. This not only helps with accessing discounts exclusive to students but will also help you to access student-only events, organisations and facilities. 

While it’s important to note that some countries may require a different form of identification, many accept the ISIC card as proof of identity. 

3. Save money at home and abroad

One of the best things about ISIC is that it can be used both at home and abroad, so you can always take advantage of the many exclusive student discounts and deals it provides.

International students in the UK can also use the ISIC card whilst studying here. Some of the fantastic discounts on offer in Britain include:

• 20% off National Express

• Up to 62% off West-End tickets

• 20% off at Frankie & Benny's

• 10% off at Tortilla

How to get the ISIC card 

It couldn't be easier to get your hands on the ISIC card, especially if you're a TOTUM student member.

TOTUM and ISIC have teamed up to provide all TOTUM student members with a one-year ISIC membership for free, meaning you can enjoy thousands of international student discounts at no extra cost.

Once your free one-year ISIC membership has expired, you can easily renew your membership directly through the ISIC website by applying online.

You'll need the following to apply:

• A digital photograph of yourself in jpg or jpeg format with a white or blue background

• A scanned copy of your proof of full time student status clearly showing the date of issue in jpeg, jpg or pdf format

• A scanned copy of your proof of identity in jpg, jpeg or pdf format (for example your passport, national identity card or drivers license)

• Your method of payment

How much is an ISIC card?

The cost of the ISIC card depends on the country you're in when purchasing the card, however if you purchase it in the UK it will set you back just £12 for the virtual ISIC card - but don't forget you can get it for FREE with TOTUM - or an extra £3 for a physical card.

You'll more than make up for this in savings, so it's well worth it!

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