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Everything you need to know about our student deals in 2025

At uni? As a student, you get exclusive access to flexible-contract broadband deals specifically designed for students looking to get connected. Here’s everything you need to know

By Virgin Media Edit

Published
22 April 2025

How does student broadband work?

Student broadband works exactly like regular broadband but offers extra flexibility for students. Just like any other broadband package, our student broadband deals provide you with a reliable internet connection for studying, submitting essays, entertainment and staying connected 24/7, but with the extra benefit of flexible contract length.

Our student broadband deals all come with flexible contracts tailored specifically for students, including 12-month and 30-day rolling contracts to suit all different term times. Whether you’re just looking for internet access for a short summer break or for the entire academic year, we’ve got a range of different flexible broadband and tv package deals for every student's needs and budget.

And with average download speeds ranging from 125 Mbps with M125 to 1130Mbps with Gig1, you’ve got plenty of speeds to choose from when it comes to picking your package.


Why do you need broadband as a student?

Having broadband at home is really important for students, both for studying and everyday life at home Most courses now include online learning, digital lectures, and assignments that need to be submitted through the internet. You’ll often need to research topics, download resources, or join video calls with your teachers or classmates. Without a good internet connection, it can be hard to keep up with your work or meet deadlines.

Broadband is also important for staying in touch with your loved ones if you’re studying in a different city than where you’re from. Being away from home can feel lonely at times, but video calls, messages, and social media help you stay close to family and friends. Having reliable internet means you won’t miss out on important moments or feel disconnected from your support system.

Whether you're studying, socialising, or just chilling out, having broadband at home makes student life easier, more flexible, and a lot more fun.


When should you get student broadband?

We recommend getting student broadband just before the start of the academic year, especially if you're moving into new student accommodation. That way, your WiFi will be ready when you arrive, so you can settle in quickly, stream your favorite shows, and get online for your studies without delay.

If you know your move-in date, it's a good idea to arrange broadband installation a week or so in advance. This helps avoid any last-minute stress or delays, especially during busy periods like September when many students are setting up their internet.

However, if you don’t need WiFi right away, sometimes can be smart to wait for our student offers to go live so that you’ve got time to compare and get the best value and benefits. Be sure to check out our student broadband deals once they're live to see what deals are available for you.

Who’s eligible for our student broadband deals?

Our student broadband deals are only available for students with a university ‘ac.uk’ email address. For anyone else looking for flexible-conract broadband, we’ve got a range of rolling contract broadband options that are available all-year round and open to all, not just students.

These are flexible, 30-day deals that give you the freedom to cancel with just 30 days’ notice and you won’t pay an early disconnection fee.


Tips for getting broadband in your student home

Getting broadband set up in your student home is one of the first things you’ll want to sort out when moving in. To make the process smoother, here are some simple tips to help you get started:

Before signing up for a new broadband deal, ask your landlord or letting agent if there’s already a connection in the house. Some student homes may already have broadband set up, and you might need to transfer it to your name or switch to a new package that suits you better. Luckily, with One Touch Switch, it’s easier than ever to switch your package, so be sure to check all of your options before signing up to the broadband package for your home.

We’re got a range of different student broadband deals with different speeds, add-ons, and contract-lengths. It’s important to compare all of our deals to find a deal that suit your needs and the needs of everyone you’ll be living with. If you all like to stream for example, you might need a faster speed than

The speed you need depends on how many people are sharing the internet and what you use it for. For example, if it’s just a couple of you mostly browsing and studying, a basic speed may be enough. But if you're in a bigger household with gamers or streamers, go for faster fibre packages.

It’s best to arrange your broadband before you move in, especially during busy times like late summer. That way, you can avoid delays and get online quickly. All of our student broadband deals come with £0 setup and we offer self-install kits for those that already have a Virgin Media connection at home, which can save time if you’re confident setting things up yourself.

If you’re not staying in your student home all year, look for rolling monthly contracts or deals that don’t tie you in for 18–24 months. That way, you’re not paying for broadband during the holidays or after you’ve moved out. All of our student broadband deals come with flexible contract options, so you’ll be able to choose a contract length that’s suitable for how long you’ll be living In your student home for.

If you’re living with housemates, it's important to split the broadband cost evenly and make sure everyone agrees before signing up. It’s usually a good idea to have one person in charge of the account, but everyone should chip in fairly.

Setting up broadband doesn’t have to be stressful. With a little planning and the right deal, you can make sure your student house is well-connected from day one.


What should you consider before choosing a student broadband deal?

Choosing the right student broadband deal is important to make sure you get fast, reliable internet without paying more than you need. Since student life is often busy and budgets are tight, there are some simple things to think about before signing up for a broadband package:

  1. Contract length. All of our student deals come 12-month and 30-day rolling contract, which are perfect if you're only living in your student house during term time. Avoid long contracts unless you’re sure you’ll need broadband for the full year or more.

  2. Speed. If you live alone or only use the internet for browsing and studying, a basic speed will probably do. But if you’re in a big house with lots of housemates, and everyone is streaming, gaming, or video calling at the same time, you’ll need faster fibre broadband to keep things running smoothly.

  3. Setup. If you’re comfortable doing it yourself, some deals offer a self-installation kit, which can be quicker and cheaper. But if you’re not confident, make sure the provider includes professional installation.

Before you pick your student broadband deals, it’s also important to check availability in your area. Once our student broadband deals become available, you’ll be able to use the postcode checker on our student broadband deals page to see all of the deals you can get in your area.

Discover our best student broadband deals in 2025

For a range of student broadband deals tailored to your needs, visit our student broadband page once our 2025 deals drop. Our deals usually drop in May or June, so be sure to check back before you move to your student home to see what deals you could get.

Can’t wait? Check out our no-contract broadband deals and enter your postcode to see all of the flexible-contract broadband deals you can get all-year-round.  

Student broadband deals

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