YouTube Premium does offer a student discount, but only through specific partners and with restrictions
YouTube Premium itself does not have a direct student discount you can buy through YouTube. However, YouTube Premium is included free with certain student plans from other services. The most common route is through YouTube Music Student, which costs $5.99 per month and includes YouTube Premium at no extra cost. You can also get YouTube Premium bundled into Spotify Student ($4.99 per month) or Apple Music Student ($4.99 per month), though these are music services first.
If you want YouTube Premium alone without a music service, you will pay the standard $13.99 per month. YouTube does not reduce that price for students. The student discounts exist because music streaming services compete on price and bundle YouTube Premium as an added feature — not because YouTube itself offers educational pricing.
Key Takeaways
- YouTube Music Student includes YouTube Premium for $5.99 per month, which is the cheapest way to get YouTube Premium if you are a student.
- Spotify Student and Apple Music Student also include YouTube Premium, but you are paying for a music service first and getting YouTube Premium as a bonus.
- YouTube Premium alone has no student price and costs $13.99 per month for everyone.
- You will need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment to sign up for any student plan.
YouTube Music Student: The Direct Route
YouTube Music Student is the straightforward option if you want YouTube Premium at a student price. For $5.99 per month, you get YouTube Music (ad-free music streaming) plus YouTube Premium (no ads on videos, offline downloads, background play). This is $8 cheaper than the standard YouTube Premium price of $13.99.
To sign up, you need a valid .edu email address or proof of enrollment from your school. YouTube will verify your status through Sheerid, a third-party verification service. The process takes a few minutes. Your student status is good for one year, and YouTube will ask you to reverify before your discount expires.
If you do not use YouTube Music or prefer a different music service, this plan still makes financial sense — you are paying $5.99 for YouTube Premium and getting music streaming free on top of it.
Spotify Student and Apple Music Student
Spotify Student costs $4.99 per month and includes YouTube Premium at no extra charge. You get Spotify's ad-free music streaming, offline downloads, and the same YouTube Premium features as the standalone service. Like YouTube Music Student, you need a .edu email or proof of enrollment, and Spotify verifies through Sheerid.
Apple Music Student is also $4.99 per month and bundles YouTube Premium the same way. If you already use Apple Music or prefer its catalog and features, this is another path to YouTube Premium at a student rate.
Both services work identically to YouTube Music Student in terms of YouTube Premium — you get the same ad-free video experience, offline downloads, and background play. The choice between them depends on which music service you actually want to use.
What YouTube Premium Includes
YouTube Premium removes ads from videos, lets you download videos to watch offline, and enables background play so videos keep playing when you lock your phone or switch apps. These features work the same whether you pay $13.99 per month or get Premium through a student music plan.
YouTube Premium also includes access to YouTube Music, but if you are buying it through YouTube Music Student or another music service, you already have that. The Premium membership itself does not change based on how you pay for it.
How to Verify Your Student Status
All three student plans use Sheerid, a verification service that checks your enrollment. When you sign up, you will enter your .edu email address or upload a photo of your student ID, enrollment letter, or tuition bill. Sheerid processes this in real time, usually within seconds.
If your school does not use .edu email addresses, you can still verify with a document. Keep a clear photo of your student ID or enrollment letter handy. The verification is free and you only do it once per year when your student status expires.
What Happens When Your Student Status Expires
Student plans are good for one year from the date you sign up. Before your year ends, YouTube or Spotify will send you an email asking you to reverify your status. If you are still a student, you can verify again and keep the discount. If you are no longer enrolled, your plan will switch to the regular price.
You will get a warning before this happens, so you will not wake up to a surprise charge. If you do not reverify and your status expires, the service will pause or downgrade your plan depending on the provider — you will not be charged the full price without notice.
Comparing the Student Options
| Service | Monthly Price | What You Get | Verification |
|---|---|---|---|
| YouTube Music Student | $5.99 | YouTube Premium + YouTube Music | .edu email or student ID |
| Spotify Student | $4.99 | YouTube Premium + Spotify | .edu email or student ID |
| Apple Music Student | $4.99 | YouTube Premium + Apple Music | .edu email or student ID |
| YouTube Premium (standard) | $13.99 | YouTube Premium only | None |
The student music plans are significantly cheaper than YouTube Premium alone. Spotify Student and Apple Music Student are the lowest price at $4.99, but they require you to use that music service. YouTube Music Student is $5.99 and pairs YouTube Premium with YouTube's own music streaming, which is useful if you want both.
If you only care about YouTube Premium and do not want a music service, none of these options reduce the price — you will pay $13.99 per month. The discount only exists when you bundle Premium with a music streaming service.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a student discount if I am not currently enrolled?
No. You need active enrollment to verify through Sheerid. If you have graduated or taken a semester off, you will not pass verification. Some schools allow alumni to keep .edu email addresses, but Sheerid checks enrollment status, not email domain.
What if my school does not have .edu email?
You can still verify with a document. Upload a photo of your student ID, enrollment letter, or tuition bill. Sheerid accepts these as proof of enrollment. Make sure the document is current and clearly shows your name and school.
Do I lose YouTube Premium immediately when my student status expires?
No. You will receive an email warning before your year is up, asking you to reverify. If you do not reverify, your plan will either pause or downgrade to the regular price depending on the service. You will not be charged the full price without notice.
Can I share a student YouTube Premium account with roommates?
YouTube Premium terms say the account is for personal use only. Sharing login credentials violates the terms of service. Each person needs their own account and their own student verification to get the discount.
Is YouTube Premium Student available outside the United States?
YouTube Music Student and the bundled student plans are available in many countries, but pricing and availability vary by region. Check your local YouTube or Spotify website to see if student plans are offered where you live.