LinkedIn Premium is a paid subscription service offered by LinkedIn that provides users with additional features and benefits beyond the free basic LinkedIn account. Some key questions around whether university students can get access to LinkedIn Premium include:
Can students get LinkedIn Premium for free?
Generally, no – LinkedIn Premium is a paid service and there is no free version offered specifically for students. However, LinkedIn does offer some student discounts on Premium subscriptions, making it more affordable for students.
LinkedIn Premium Student Discount
LinkedIn offers a 50% discount on Premium subscriptions for eligible students in certain countries. To qualify for the student discount, you must:
- Be a full-time student at an accredited university or college
- Verify your student status with a valid .edu email address
- Be based in an eligible country – currently the student discount is available in markets like the United States, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, and more
With the 50% student discount, LinkedIn Premium costs:
- $14.99 per month for the Premium Career subscription (normally $29.99 per month)
- $7.49 per month for the Premium Business subscription (normally $24.99 per month)
Free LinkedIn Premium trials
LinkedIn offers 30-day free trials of Premium to new users. Students can sign up for a trial to test out Premium features for one month at no cost. However, a credit card is required at sign up and you will be auto-billed the full price after 30 days unless you cancel before the trial ends.
What features do students get with LinkedIn Premium?
LinkedIn Premium provides students with a range of features and benefits focused on job seeking, professional networking, and career development. Key features include:
Finding Jobs and Internships
- See full profiles of everyone who has viewed your profile
- Advanced job and internship search filters
- Access insights on salary ranges, required skills, and more for jobs you’re interested in
- Apply to jobs with one click
Building Your Network
- See unlimited profiles when searching LinkedIn
- Send unlimited InMails to reach out to professionals outside your network
- See the full list of people who have viewed your profile
Developing Your Skills and Knowledge
- Unlimited access to LinkedIn Learning video courses
- Professional exam and certification prep materials
- Audiobook summaries from top business books
LinkedIn Premium also removes ads from across the LinkedIn platform. Overall, it provides enhanced tools and visibility to help students stand out in the job market, grow their professional networks, and build their skills while in school.
What percentage of university students have LinkedIn Premium?
There is limited publicly available data on the percentage of university students that have LinkedIn Premium subscriptions. However, some surveys and estimates include:
| Survey | Percentage of Students with Premium |
|---|---|
| 2019 survey by Cirkel of 500 students at 5 UK universities | 15% |
| 2021 survey by Ypulse of 1,000 US college students | 13% |
| Estimate by The Manifest, 2022 | 10-15% of US college students |
Based on these surveys and estimates, it appears that somewhere around 10-15% of university students may have an active Premium subscription. The actual percentage likely varies between universities and degree programs. Premium penetration is likely higher among graduate students and those studying degrees like business, engineering, computer science, and other professional fields.
Why should students consider getting LinkedIn Premium?
There are several reasons why LinkedIn Premium can be beneficial for university students:
Gain a Competitive Edge in Job Searching
Premium provides advanced tools to find relevant jobs and internships, stand out with one-click applications, and get insights into hiring managers and compensation. This can help students gain an edge for entry-level roles over candidates without Premium.
Expand Your Network Faster
By seeing unlimited profiles, sending InMails, and seeing full viewers lists, Premium enables students to rapidly grow their networks. A wider network improves access to jobs, internships, mentors, and professionals in fields of interest.
Build Relevant Skills
Unlimited access to over 15,000 courses on LinkedIn Learning allows students to build in-demand skills. Students can add certifications and credentials to their profiles, signaling value to employers.
Enhance Visibility
By seeing the full list of profile viewers, students can identify professors, recruiters, or other key connections viewing their profiles. They can then focus on strengthening those relationships.
Save Money with the Student Discount
The 50% student discount makes Premium much more affordable for students compared to the regular user pricing.
What are the downsides of LinkedIn Premium for students?
There are a few potential downsides to consider for students thinking about Premium:
- The monthly or annual cost can still be expensive for students on tight budgets.
- Some free LinkedIn features may already meet students’ core needs.
- Students may not have time to take full advantage of all Premium features.
- Premium advantages likely matter most for upper-year or graduate students searching for jobs.
- Discounts require verifying student status annually and may lapse after graduating.
Conclusion
Although LinkedIn Premium adoption is not hugely widespread among students today, the subscriptions can offer compelling benefits in terms of job searching, networking, and career development. Around 10-15% of university students may currently have Premium access, with higher penetration for upper-year and graduate students. Premium becomes most advantageous when actively searching for jobs or internships. Students should weigh the monthly costs against their specific needs and current career stage when deciding if Premium is worthwhile.