Apple’s Education Store has long served as a dependable way for students and educators to purchase discounted Macs and iPads. For a long time, however, the Apple Watch was excluded from this program, forcing buyers to rely on third-party retailers for any price reductions on the smartwatch.
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This changes on May 8, 2026, when Apple officially includes the Apple Watch in its Education Store for the first time. The Watch Series 11, SE 3, and Ultra 3 are now eligible for education pricing in 21 regions, including the US, UK, India, Canada, and Australia.
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What are the actual savings for students and teachers?
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The Apple Watch Series 11 price drops from its standard $399 to $359 for eligible buyers, offering a $40 saving. While this remains above the typical third-party price of around $300, it represents a positive development, particularly for those purchasing the new model at launch (via 9To5Mac).
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The Watch SE 3 sees a reduction from $249 to $229, saving $20. This aligns closely with third-party discount rates. Meanwhile, Apple’s premium offering, the Watch Ultra 3, receives the largest price cut, dropping from $799 to $719, a substantial $80 discount.
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Notably, the education discount makes the Ultra 3 cheaper than many third-party listings.
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Nadeem Sarwar / Techgeeks\n
Who is eligible for these education discounts?
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While these reductions may not be the deepest on the Apple Watch lineup, they mark a significant and welcome step forward, likely boosting early adoption of the latest models.
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A new verification process has been introduced to confirm eligibility for discounts through Apple’s official store and website. This inclusion finally addresses the long-standing omission of the Apple Watch from the education pricing program.