MyTravelPass
The mytravelpass is a Welsh Government scheme designed to make bus travel cheaper and more accessible for young people aged 16 to 21. From 1 September 2025, anyone with a valid pass can enjoy big savings across participating bus services in Wales, including many cross-border routes. With mytravelpass, single journeys cost just £1, while unlimited travel for a whole day is only £3, making it easier and more affordable to get to school, college, work, or simply to meet up with friends, explore, or enjoy days out. For those who travel more regularly, weekly and four-week tickets are also available at around one-third off the normal adult price.
The pass can be used any time of day, any day of the week, including weekends and bank holidays, with no restrictions on the type of journey you take. Using the pass is simple: just show it to the bus driver when you buy your ticket on board, or link it to your account on the TrawsCymru app to purchase and use digital tickets. If you choose the app, a quick one-time verification process is required, where you upload a selfie and a photo of your mytravelpass; this usually takes less than 48 hours and then stays valid until your 22nd birthday.
Once verified, your account will automatically apply the reduced fares every time you buy a ticket through the app. Whether you’re commuting daily or travelling occasionally, the scheme makes it straightforward to save money, stay connected, and enjoy more freedom to travel across Wales. The mytravelpass is free to apply for, easy to use, and ensures young people can keep moving affordably during some of the most important years of their education, training, and early careers.
Totum
TOTUM is the UK’s leading discount and ID card service designed for students, apprentices, professionals and young people. It offers a verified ID that’s officially recognised (including PASS accreditation), which proves age and name. Membership gives access to hundreds of exclusive deals and discounts across many categories: fashion, tech & mobile, food & drink, travel, health & beauty, education, automotive and more. You’ll find “boosted” offers, special savings, cashback, and trending promotions — from percentages off clothes and meals, to special pricing on gadgets and accessories. TOTUM also runs campaigns like giveaways and prize draws, as well as loyalty-style bonuses such as “boosted deals” when brands increase the discount temporarily.
Through their app, members have additional benefits like easier browsing, personalised offers, and mobile-friendly access to deals. The site highlights current top offers (for example, major discounts on big-ticket electronics, or savings with fashion and beauty brands) and updates regularly. In addition to deals, TOTUM provides content like advice, hacks, and interviews related to student life, travel, health and wellness and more, helping members get more value and support beyond just discounts. It aims to make everyday life cheaper and more enjoyable for young people, while offering a secure and recognised way to prove identity.
Unidays
UNiDAYS is a free platform that gives verified students access to thousands of exclusive deals, discounts, and offers across fashion, tech, beauty, food and drink, travel, health and fitness, and more. Once you’ve signed up and confirmed your student status, UNiDAYS aggregates special savings from major brands so that whether you’re shopping for clothes, buying gadgets, ordering meals, subscribing to services or getting fitness gear, you’ll often find a student-discounted price. Along with discounts, many offers are time-limited or rotate regularly, which means there are always fresh deals to discover.
The site/app also highlights trending offers and “featured brands,” making it easy to spot big savings. Users can personalize their experience, saving favorite brands or browsing by category, which helps cut through the noise. UNiDAYS often provides extra perks too — freebies, competitions or bonus promotions — alongside standard percentage discounts. On top of savings, UNiDAYS includes content aimed at supporting student life: guides, blog posts, and tips for budgeting, self-care, styling, tech, travel, etc. By combining identity verification with a large roster of brand partners, UNiDAYS aims to make living as a student more affordable, fun and stylish without compromising quality.
Student Beans
Student Beans is a platform that helps students access exclusive discounts, deals, and promotions across hundreds of brands. Once verified as a student, members can grab savings on fashion, tech, food & drink, travel, beauty, home goods, and more. Whether you’re preparing for uni with purchases like tech, textbooks or student essentials, or treating yourself during Freshers, Student Beans curates offers relevant to your lifestyle.
You’ll find discounts for big names like ASOS, Marks & Spencer, Currys, EE, Domino’s, and many others, with special deals in food & drink (free delivery, meal discounts), travel (rail cards, coach trips), entertainment and subscriptions. The platform also offers app-exclusive perks—daily alerts, personalised deals, and bookmarks for your favorite brands—helping you save without missing out.
Student Beans doesn’t just stop at deals: it supports student life more broadly, with advice, guides, and content about finance, studying, uni preparation, and managing everyday costs. The site ensures its student verification is secure, so you can trust the discounts are genuine. Student Beans works to make student budgets go further, offering both big savings on essentials and fun extras, aiming to make student life more affordable and rewarding.
Seren Academy
The Seren Academy is a free Welsh Government programme designed to support ambitious students in Wales to reach their full academic potential and apply to top universities. If you’re in sixth form or college (Years 12–13) and meet the entry criteria, Seren gives you access to a wide range of opportunities to challenge yourself and prepare for the future. You’ll get the chance to take part in super-curricular activities that go beyond the classroom, such as subject masterclasses, themed projects, residential events and university taster sessions.
Seren also provides practical support with the university application process, including help with personal statements, admissions tests, essays, and interview preparation. Many of the activities are delivered in partnership with leading UK and international universities, so you’ll gain valuable insight into what studying at a top institution is really like. You’ll also be part of a network of like-minded learners across Wales, giving you the chance to collaborate, share ideas and push each other to succeed.
Seren is all about raising your aspirations, building confidence and giving you the tools to compete for places at highly selective universities. Best of all, it’s free to join and tailored to help you make the most of your post-16 studies and beyond.
Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA)
The Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) in Wales is a weekly payment to help students aged 16 to 18 (and some 19-year-olds continuing courses) with the costs of staying in education, like travel, meals, books, or equipment. If you live in Wales, are studying a full-time academic or vocational course, and meet the income rules for your household, you could get £40 per week, paid every two weeks. To qualify, your family’s income generally needs to be under a certain level—this includes slightly higher thresholds for families with more than one child.
Getting EMA isn’t just about money; it’s designed to encourage you to attend school or college regularly and meet your learning goals. You’ll agree on targets with your school or college, and as long as you stick to them, you’ll continue to receive payments. The scheme helps reduce financial barriers so students from all backgrounds can stay in education after compulsory school.
Applications are straightforward, and many students who previously struggled to afford transport or study materials have benefited. EMA is especially useful for covering everyday costs while you focus on your studies, giving you the freedom to learn and explore opportunities like college projects, extra courses, or other experiences that help with future career or university plans.
