Drawing inspiration from cash-strapped student days, a new scheme, StudentsInNeed, has been launched to help the UK's six million students save money and find a job.

Not to be confused with a charitable organisation supporting impoverished undergraduates, StudentsInNeed offers exclusive online discounts of up to 20% on top brands popular with students and comes at a time when they are facing mounting debts and struggling to find part-time jobs to make ends meet.

Students can save up to £700 per year on major retail, leisure and entertainment brands, based on a typical average annual student spend of £3,500. SIN membership is open to youngsters at school, college or university and mature students or graduates are also eligible. For a modest annual membership fee of £4.95 students qualify for discounts on items such as books, CDs, DVDs, clothing and travel purchased either online, or using a SIN 'partners' voucher book containing up to £200 worth of savings, provided by Mosaic Marketing.

So, on the one hand Students have access to genuine discount offers on things that students buy, need and like. On the other, this is a superb opportunity for youth oriented brands to reach this influential audience without the hefty premium associated with alternative channels.

The SIN website also has a jobs section, putting students in touch with part-time jobs to help them earn while they learn, as well as finding permanent graduate positions throughout the UK.  The timing of SIN's launch could not have been better, with recent surveys suggesting that new students starting university this autumn can expect to graduate owing £23,000. No small amount. With the jobs market particularly challenging at the younger end of the spectrum, these young people need all the help they can get.

Note: 

Discounts are exclusive to StudentsInNeed and not available through any other type of student discount card; this is what makes SIN unique. Top brands include Borders Books, AllPosters.co.uk (the world's largest poster and print store), Oasis (ladies fashion) and Moss Bros. Savings are unlimited, but are obviously dependent on an individual's level of spending.