Accommodation

TV Licensing and students: know the facts

By UWEaccomm 27 Jul 2021

Ignore what you’ve heard elsewhere. It’s better to know the facts. It’s important to check if you need a TV Licence now, and buy one if you need one.

When you need a TV Licence

The law says you need to be covered by a TV Licence to:

watch or record programmes as they’re being shown on TV, on any channel
watch or stream programmes live on an online TV service (such as ITV Hub, All 4, YouTube, Amazon Prime Video, Now TV, Sky Go, etc.)
download or watch any BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer.

This applies to any device you use, including a TV, desktop computer, laptop, mobile phone, tablet, games console, digital box or DVD/VHS recorder.

How much does a Student TV Licence cost?

A standard TV Licence costs £159. There isn’t a student discount. But if you don’t need your licence for a full 12 months, you can apply for a refund for any unused months.

You can pay all in one go, or you can spread the cost by choosing from our range of Direct Debit options. You can buy and manage your licence online.

Am I already covered?

A university halls communal licence won’t cover your room. But you may be covered by your parents’ licence. If you think you are, please check that all of the following are true before telling us you don’t need one:

Your out-of-term address (parents’ 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.

What if I live in a house or flat share?

If you have a separate tenancy agreement for your room, you’ll need your own TV Licence too.
If you have a joint tenancy agreement for an entire house or flat, you’ll probably need one licence to cover the whole property.

If you are still uncertain about the rules for tenancies, please check our advice for tenants and lodgers.

What if I don't need a TV licence?

Before you tell us you don’t need a TV Licence, it’s worth checking carefully. We do make visits to confirm that a licence isn’t needed. If you are sure, tell us you don’t need a TV Licence.

What happens if I don’t buy a licence?

You could be prosecuted if we find that you have been watching or recording live TV programmes on any channel or device, or downloading or watching BBC programmes on BBC iPlayer, without being covered by a licence. The maximum penalty is a £1,000* fine plus any legal costs and/or compensation you may be ordered to pay.