Looking for a free student Amazon Prime account? Eligible new student members and 18–24-year-olds can try Prime for six months without a membership charge. After that, the subscription becomes paid unless you cancel.
A standard Amazon shopping account is free to create. Prime is an optional membership with extra benefits, and its six-month student and young-adult offer is a trial rather than a permanently free account.
Check eligibility for six months free Prime ↗
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Eligible new members only. Paid membership renews automatically after the trial unless cancelled.
Six months free: what happens afterwards?
Amazon currently advertises the discounted membership at £4.49 a month or £47.49 a year after the trial. Confirm the plan, renewal date and price shown on your own sign-up screen before joining.
| Account or membership | What “free” means |
|---|---|
| Standard Amazon account | No account membership fee; purchases and applicable delivery charges are separate. |
| Eligible six-month Prime trial | No Prime membership charge during the trial; products and optional extras still cost money. |
| Prime after the trial | Paid subscription that renews automatically unless cancelled. |
Do not assume a general Prime sign-up screen offers six months: check that you are selecting the student or young-adult plan and that the six-month offer is explicitly shown.
Who can apply for student or young-adult Prime?
Amazon provides two eligibility routes: enrolment in higher education in the UK or Republic of Ireland, or being aged 18–24. You do not have to be at university to use the age-based route. Higher-education students can qualify regardless of age, subject to Amazon’s checks.
You need an Amazon.co.uk account. Students may be asked for proof of enrolment and an academic email address; Amazon also describes an alternative process if you lack a valid academic email. Young adults may need a passport or driving licence to verify their age. Provide verification directly to Amazon.
Trial availability depends on your account and Amazon’s eligibility rules. An existing account does not guarantee a new trial, and previous membership may affect the offer shown.
How to get your free student Amazon Prime trial
- Open the student and young-adult offer. Use the button below, then sign in or create your Amazon account.
- Select the correct eligibility route. Follow the student or age-verification instructions.
- Read the sign-up summary. Confirm six months at no membership charge, the renewal price and any required payment details.
- Complete Amazon’s checks. Only submit information through Amazon’s official site.
- Record the renewal date. Set a reminder before it ends so you can decide whether to continue.
Check eligibility for six months free Prime ↗
Affiliate link: we may earn a commission if you sign up through this link. Eligible new members only. Paid membership renews automatically after the trial unless cancelled.
What about the 5% textbook discount?
We could not confirm a universal 5% textbook discount for Prime for Young Adults. Amazon’s published student-benefits guide currently describes 10% off thousands of textbooks. The eligible selection and live offer terms still determine what you receive; this is not a promise of a discount on every textbook.
If your Amazon account shows a 5% textbook promotion, open that specific offer and check the participating titles, seller, format, expiry and any code required. Confirm the reduction in the order summary before paying. Use the offer actually shown to you rather than assuming either percentage always applies.
For illustration, 5% off a £40 eligible textbook saves £2; 10% saves £4. These are calculations, not current book prices. A used copy, library loan or different retailer may still be cheaper.
A better way to buy your course books
- Confirm the required edition and ISBN with your course reading list.
- Check whether the university library has a print copy or digital access.
- Compare new, used and digital versions, including delivery.
- Check whether a used book includes any online access code your course requires.
- Apply the promotion only after comparing the final total.
Other benefits worth checking
Prime includes delivery benefits on eligible purchases, access to the included Prime Video catalogue and member offers. Books, stationery and household essentials can be useful purchases to compare, but buy what you need rather than spending to justify a membership.
Delivery options depend on the product and address, and some services have minimum spends. Not every video title or optional service is included. Read the benefit details before assuming something is free.
For everyday shopping, see our Amazon grocery savings and Prime delivery guide.
How to avoid being charged after the trial
Go to your Amazon Prime membership settings, choose Manage, then Update, Cancel and More, and follow the cancellation instructions. Read the confirmation carefully to see when your benefits end. Deleting the app is not the same as cancelling a subscription.
Amazon says that cancelling during the six-month trial and then reinstating membership does not give you another six-month trial. If you subscribed through Google’s subscription service, Amazon directs you to manage it there.
Check that cancellation or non-renewal has been confirmed before the billing date. Keep the confirmation for your records.
Free Amazon account: common questions
Is an Amazon account free without Prime?
Yes. You can create a standard shopping account without buying Prime. Orders and any applicable delivery charges are separate.
Is student Prime free forever?
No. The eligible introductory trial lasts six months, followed by automatic paid renewal unless cancelled.
Can I get the offer if I am not a student?
Amazon’s UK offer also includes eligible 18–24-year-olds, subject to age verification and account eligibility.
Is every textbook discounted?
No. Check the eligible titles and live promotion terms. Neither a 5% nor a 10% reduction should be assumed for every book.
Official sources
Information checked on 23 October 2026. Amazon’s sign-up screen and live offer terms take precedence if prices or eligibility change.