Apple’s Education Store has always been a reliable shortcut to cheaper Macs and iPads for students and teachers. However, for years, Apple Watch wasn’t allowed into the story, making people wait for third-party sales or discounts to get their hands on the smartwatch.
That’s changing, with effect from May 8, 2026. Apple has quietly added the Apple Watch to its Education Store for the first time. The Watch Series 11, SE 3, and the Ultra 3 are now available at discounted education pricing across 21 markets, including the US, UK, India, Canada, and Australia.
How much can students and educators actually save?
The Apple Watch Series 11 drops from the regular retail price of $399 to $359, which makes up for a $40 discount. Although this is still higher than the Watch 11’s third-party pricing, which often hovers around $300, it is still a good sign, especially for qualifying buyers purchasing a new Apple Watch at launch (via 9To5Mac).
The Watch SE 3 goes down from $249 to $229, which saves buyers $20. It is about the same as the third-party discount price. Apple’s most expensive smartwatch, the Watch Ultra 3, sees the biggest reduction from the retail price tag, falling from $799 to $719, which is an $80 discount, no less.
What’s even more interesting is that the education discount makes the Ultra 3 more affordable than third-party listings.
Who qualifies for the education discount?
These aren’t the deepest price cuts on the Apple Watch, but what I’d say is a meaningful first step in the right direction, something that will surely help increase the early adoption rates of the upcoming models.
For now, the education discount is available for students, teachers, and education staff in eligible markets. One thing worth flagging is that the company has also introduced identity verification for access to the Education Store.
It is a new requirement that affects how buyers prove their eligibility to avail discounts via Apple’s first-party store or website. Anyway, adding the Apple Watch to the education store closes the awkward gap in the list of available devices.
