Stena Line Announces Return of 'Students Go Free' Competition

Stena Line has just opened entries for its 2026 Student Rep Competition, giving one lucky student the chance to win £3,000 in Tesco, IKEA and ASOS vouchers, as well as five return ferry journeys home throughout the year – a great helping hand with those back-to-university costs.

The competition is open to all students in the UK and Ireland.

The 2026 Stena Line Student Rep Competition is now open for entries – and the winner could be sailing away with a first-class prize package!

As Student Rep you'll have the opportunity to capture and share the experience of travelling to and from university life with Stena Line.

The new Student Rep will receive free travel for a year - five return journeys in line with the student calendar; start of term, mid-term, Christmas, Easter, and end of term. They will also receive a £1,000 Tesco voucher, a £1,000 IKEA voucher and a £1,000 ASOS voucher.

Entering couldn’t be easier! Simply post a short video to Instagram or TikTok explaining why you should be this year’s Student Rep. 

The script is entirely up to you, so you can be as creative as you want!  Remember to tag @StenaLineUKIE and use #StenaLineStudent. The closing date for entries is October 17.

Neha-nami Ligertwood, Queen’s University student and winner of the Stena Line Student Ambassador 25/26, shared: “I had a great time as Student Rep and it really made the move from my home in the Lake District to study in Belfast so much smoother.

“I’d encourage students to give this year’s competition a go! It’s such a brilliant, fun and rewarding experience!”

New research conducted on behalf of Stena Line found that nearly a quarter of students were looking forward to the independence that university will bring, but 30% admitted they would miss their family, and friends (26%) from home.

Stena Line Travel Commercial Manager Irish Sea, Orla Noonan, said the Swedish-owned ferry company prides itself on supporting students to make the transition to university life as smooth and stress-free as possible.

She said: “Thousands of students will soon be heading off to universities across the UK and, at Stena Line, we’re focused on supporting them through this important life transition.

“We are excited to launch this year’s Stena Line Student Rep Competition and we have, once again, put together a fabulous prize package which will help new students settle into their new surroundings.

“With 22% of students saying they will miss their bed, a clean bathroom (19%) and raiding the fridge when they’re hungry (17%), the vouchers will come in very useful, helping students afford everyday essentials and easing the financial pressures of starting university.  

“The competition is open to students in GB, Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. We can’t wait to hear why you would like to become our next Student Rep, shining a spotlight on the student travel experience.

“We wish students all the very best for the academic year ahead, wherever they are studying.”

For further information on the Student Rep Competition and terms and conditions, please visit: https://www.stenaline.co.uk/guides/student-rep-competition

The Students Go Free offer is now live. Book a motorist fare by September 30, 2026, and any student passengers will travel for free.

The offer is available on the following routes: Cairnryan – Belfast; Liverpool – Belfast; Holyhead – Dublin; and Fishguard – Rosslare.

Full details below.

• The Prize:

  • X5 return ferry journeys

  • £1,000 Tesco voucher

  • £1,000 IKEA voucher £1,000 ASOS voucher.

• How to Enter:

  • Students simply need to share a short video on Instagram or TikTok explaining why they should be this year’s Student Rep

  • Make sure you tag @StenaLineUKIE and use #StenaLineStudent to enter

• The Deadline:

  • October 17