Website of the UK government
Please note that this website has a UK government accesskeys system.
Main menu
Page menu
Education and learning
TV licences: the rules for students
If you’re living away from home, in halls of residence or in a shared house, then you’ll need a television licence. Students planning to return home over the summer may be able to claim a discount.
Who needs a TV licence
College or university students living away from home must have a TV licence to watch or record television.
As well as TV sets and video or DVD recorders, this includes using mobile phones, set-top boxes, laptops or personal computers to receive or record television programmes.
But if you are returning home for the summer holidays and only need a licence for nine months, you may qualify for a refund on the remaining three.
You can get more information from the students' section of the TV Licensing website.
What you need to do
Exactly what you need to do about getting a TV licence depends on where you live:
Halls of residence
If you live in halls of residence and watch or record TV in your room, you will need your own TV licence.
Shared houses
If you have a shared tenancy agreement, with everyone in your house signing the same contract, you will usually need just one licence to cover all the TV sets in the house.
If you have a separate tenancy agreement, with each tenant signing an individual contract with the landlord, each of you will need your own licence to use a set in your rooms. Only one licence is needed if the only TV being used is in a communal area.
Battery-powered equipment
A TV set powered by its own internal batteries, such as a pocket-sized TV or mobile phone, is covered by a licence at your parents’ address. However, it must not be plugged into the mains while being used to receive television.
If there is no licence at your parents’ address you will need to buy your own.
How to buy a licence
You can buy or renew a TV licence online with a credit or debit card by visiting the TV licensing website. It also has information on other ways to pay.
These include paying by post, by direct debit, via a savings card or over the counter at a PayPoint outlet.
What happens if you're caught without a licence
If you watch TV without a licence you are breaking the law and risking prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000. Enforcement officers visit unlicensed rooms on university and college campuses, as well as student accommodation off-campus.
How to claim a refund
You could qualify for a refund of up to £32 if you buy a TV licence before the end of October then return home for the summer holidays. For more information on how to claim, contact TV Licensing on 0844 800 6779 or visit its website.
TV licence concessions
If you or someone you live with is registered blind, you'll qualify for a 50 per cent reduction on the cost of your TV licence.
Concessions are also available for people living in residential care, and free licences for over 75s.
For more information, follow the links below or call TV Licensing on 0844 800 6779.
More useful links
Additional links
Access keys
