Skip to content
search site

Students

What you need to know

Just like everyone else, students must be covered by a TV Licence to watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV. This applies whether you live in halls of residence or a private shared house.

What you might not know is that television licensing law still applies to you no matter what you use to watch television programmes as they're being shown on TV. Whether it's a laptop, mobile phone or any other device that receives television programmes, you need to be covered by a TV Licence. It's the law.

It costs £145.50 for colour and £49.00 for a black and white TV Licence.

Pay for your TV Licence
You need a TV Licence if

You need a TV Licence if
You watch TV on a laptop or PC

If you watch or record television programmes as they're being shown on TV you must, by law, be covered by a TV Licence, no matter what device you are using.
You live in halls of residence Your hall probably has a licence covering communal areas, but this won't cover you for your room.
You live in a shared house

If there is a joint tenancy agreement for the whole house, you may only need one licence. If you don't have a licence between you, whoever is found watching TV when an Enquiry Officer visits you is the one who risks a prosecution and a fine.

If you have a separate tenancy agreement for your room, you need your own licence.

However, there may be other reasons why you need your own separate licence, such as whether or not your accommodation is self-contained - i.e. you have exclusive access to washing facilities or you have your own entrance to the property. If you are unsure whether this applies to your particular circumstances please contact us to find out more information.

Don’t forget that, wherever you live, you can apply for a refund if your licence is still valid for at least 3 whole months and you no longer need it. If you are moving home, you can transfer your licence by changing your address online.

You don’t need a TV Licence for your term time address if

You don’t need a TV Licence for your term-time address if
You only watch downloaded or streamed TV AFTER it has been broadcast This includes using websites like YouTube and Bebo, as well as ‘on demand’ internet services like iPlayer offering TV downloads or streaming.
All of the following are true:
  • Your out-of-term address is covered by a TV Licence AND
  • You only use TV receiving equipment that is powered solely by its own internal batteries AND
  • You have not connected it to an aerial or plugged it into the mains.

 

General information about TV Licensing is available in the following languages:

© 2010 TV Licensing