What you get with an Economist student subscription

The Economist offers a reduced-price subscription for students enrolled full-time at an accredited college or university. The subscription gives you access to the same weekly magazine, daily news updates, and archived articles as a regular subscriber, but at roughly half the standard rate. You read through their website and mobile app, and print copies arrive by mail if you choose the print-plus-digital option.

The exact price and what's included varies by country and by whether you want print, digital-only, or both. In the United States, a student digital-only subscription typically costs around $120 per year, while print plus digital runs higher. You'll need to verify the current price and your region's options when you reach their student sign-up page, because rates change and differ by location.

Access begins immediately after you complete the sign-up process and payment clears. If you choose print, your first issue arrives within one to two weeks, depending on where you live.

Key Takeaways

  • Student subscriptions cost roughly half the regular price and include digital access to all articles, the weekly magazine, and optional print delivery.
  • You must provide proof of current full-time enrollment at an accredited institution — usually a student ID number, email address, or official enrollment letter.
  • The subscription renews automatically each year at the student rate, as long as you remain enrolled and update your status if prompted.
  • You can cancel anytime through your account settings; cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period, not immediately.

How to prove you're a student

The Economist verifies student status through a third-party service, usually SheerID or a similar platform. During sign-up, you'll be asked to provide either your student ID number and school name, your .edu email address, or an official enrollment verification letter from your school's registrar.

If you use your student ID, the system checks it against your school's records in real time. If you use a .edu email, they confirm the address belongs to an accredited institution. If neither works, you can upload a PDF of an enrollment letter — this takes longer to verify, usually one to three business days, but it works if your school doesn't participate in the automated systems.

Once verified, your student status is confirmed for one year. When your subscription renews, you may need to re-verify, depending on The Economist's current policy. Check your account email for renewal reminders.

Pricing and payment options

Student rates in the United States are typically $120 per year for digital-only access. Print plus digital costs more — often in the $200 to $250 range annually, though this varies. The Economist also occasionally offers promotional rates during sign-up, so the price you see may be lower than the standard student rate.

Payment is by credit card or debit card only. The Economist bills you once per year upfront, not monthly. If you cancel before the year is up, they do not refund the unused portion — your access continues until your annual billing date arrives.

International students should check pricing for their country, as rates differ. The Economist's website shows you the price for your region during checkout.

Digital access and the mobile app

Your digital subscription includes access to The Economist's website and their iOS and Android apps. You log in with the email address you used to create your account. The app syncs across devices, so you can start reading on your phone and pick up where you left off on your computer.

Digital access includes the full archive of past articles going back several years, not just the current week's issue. You can search by topic, save articles, and set up notifications for stories in areas you follow. The app works offline — you can download articles to read without an internet connection.

If you choose print plus digital, you get all of this plus a physical copy of the magazine each week by mail.

What happens when your subscription ends

Your student subscription renews automatically on your annual billing date, as long as your payment method is valid and you remain enrolled. The Economist will send you an email reminder before the renewal date.

If you graduate or leave school, you can continue your subscription at the regular (non-student) rate, or you can cancel. To cancel, log into your account, go to your subscription settings, and select the cancel option. Cancellation takes effect at the end of your current billing period — you keep access until that date, even after you request cancellation.

If your payment method fails during renewal, The Economist will attempt to charge it again over several days. If it continues to fail, your access will be suspended until you update your payment information or cancel.

Sharing your subscription and account access

The Economist's terms of service state that a subscription is for personal use only and should not be shared with others. Each person who wants to read The Economist should have their own subscription. That said, if you live with a roommate or family member, they can use a shared device to read your account — The Economist does not actively police this — but they cannot use your login on their own device.

If you want to share access more formally, The Economist offers a "gift" option during checkout where you can purchase a subscription for someone else. That person receives their own account and login.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I get a student subscription if I'm part-time?

No. The Economist requires full-time enrollment. Part-time students do not meet the definition and cannot use the student rate. You would need to purchase a regular subscription instead.

What if my school doesn't use SheerID or my student ID doesn't verify?

Upload an official enrollment letter from your school's registrar as a PDF. The verification team reviews it manually, which takes one to three business days. Make sure the letter shows your name, your school's name, the current term, and that you are enrolled full-time.

Do I get a refund if I cancel mid-year?

No. The Economist does not refund unused subscription time. Your access continues until your next annual billing date. If you cancel, you keep reading until that date arrives.

Can I pause my subscription instead of canceling?

The Economist does not offer a pause option. You can cancel and re-subscribe later, but you would pay for a new subscription at whatever the current rate is at that time.

What if I graduate before my subscription year is up?

Your subscription continues at the student rate until your annual renewal date. At renewal, you will be asked to re-verify your student status. If you cannot, your subscription will convert to the regular rate, or you can cancel instead.