Apple's student promotion started today in German-speaking countries. Anyone who buys a qualifying MacBook or iPad at the education discounted price receives a gift card – the value depends on the device. Two things are noticeable: last year's accessories are missing, and Apple's cheapest notebook is conspicuously excluded.
The campaign launched in mid-July in Asia and North America, with Europe following at a considerable distance. Besides Germany, Austria, and Switzerland, 16 other countries are participating, from Belgium to Hungary. Last year, the campaign started in Germany at the beginning of July – so this year's launch is about five weeks later.
The definition of who benefits remains narrow: it concerns universities, not schools.
Key Facts at a Glance
- The promotion runs from August 13th to October 22nd, 2026.
- There is an Apple gift card available for 80 to 120 euros, in Switzerland for 80 to 120 francs.
- Only MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iPad Air and iPad Pro are eligible.
- Unlike last year, Apple no longer includes any accessories, but only credit.
- The gift card is in addition to the regular education discount, which is valid all year round.
Which devices participate and what they cost
The gift card amount depends on the device. Only the MacBook Pro receives the full amount; all other eligible models receive a lower amount.
| Device | Gift card | Education Award DE/AT | Education Prize CH |
|---|---|---|---|
| MacBook Pro | 120 € | from €2,089 | from CHF 1,799 |
| MacBook Air | 80 € | from €1,289 | from CHF 1,149 |
| iPad Pro | 80 € | from €1,189 | from CHF 1,049 |
| iPad Air | 80 € | from €749 | from 679 CHF |
The Swiss prices range from 80 to 120 francs, as shown in Apple's Swiss education store. No conversion is performed – Apple sets its own prices for each market.
The regular iPad, iPad mini, Mac mini, iMac, Mac Studio, and Studio Displays are not eligible. The standard education discount still applies to these devices, but without any credit.
Why the MacBook Neo is left out
The most noticeable exclusion concerns Apple's cheapest notebook. The MacBook Neo is listed in Apple's Austrian education store starting at €699 – but under "Educational Discounts," not among the devices marked "Eligible for Offer."
This is noteworthy because Apple positions this exact model as an entry-level device, and it sells better than the MacBook Air and MacBook Pro. A device that's already selling well doesn't need any sales incentives; the promotion is clearly aimed at the more expensive models.
For students on a tight budget, this changes the calculation. Those undecided between the Neo and the Air should include the €80 credit in their comparison – the differences between the two models remain unchanged. Since no credit is offered with the MacBook Neo anyway, the only option for this model is to compare prices with retailers.
Credit instead of accessories
Last year, Apple included hardware such as AirPods or an Apple Pencil. This time, they're only offering a gift card that can be used freely – for accessories, software, or a subscription.
The only exception in Europe is Turkey: there, buyers can choose between a four-pack of AirTags at no extra charge and various paid additional options.
Whether switching is an advantage depends on individual needs. A pair of included AirPods has a higher list price than €120, but is useless if you already own a pair.
Who is eligible to participate
Eligible are enrolled and newly admitted students at universities, their parents when purchasing on their behalf, as well as teaching staff and employees at universities. Pupils of general education schools are not eligible.
Online verification is handled via UNiDAYS. Those who register there with their Apple account remain verified for one year and do not need to re-verify their identity with every purchase.
Only one gift card can be issued per qualifying device and buyer. According to Apple's terms and conditions, the amount is applied as a discount equal to the card's value, but both items initially appear in the shopping cart.
What the gift card is practically worth
The timing coincides with a year in which Apple has already raised prices: Macs, iPads, and the Vision Pro became more expensive in June. Compared to the price levels of the spring, the gift card thus offsets some of the additional costs incurred since then.
However, one real advantage over other markets remains: In the US, the promotion ends on September 24th, while in Europe it doesn't end until October 22nd. Those who want to postpone their purchase until the start of the semester have four extra weeks here.
For you, this means: If you're planning on buying a device anyway, the education discount and credit combine to make purchasing through the education store attractive. Before ordering, however, it's still worth checking the regular retail market – the street price for the MacBook Air and iPad Air is sometimes lower than the combined cost of the education discount and gift card, because the card can only be redeemed at Apple.
Until October 22nd, the decision will be based on need, not the deadline
Ten weeks is plenty of time, and the device selection isn't expected to change during that period. The pressure stems more from the wording in Apple's terms and conditions, which state that the offer is only valid while supplies last.
What do you think of the switch to purely credit-based payments? Do you prefer a freely usable gift card to bundled AirPods, or was last year's accessory the better deal? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. (Image: Apple)
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