Student Council Tax exemption and discount

If you or others in your property are students (or in some cases school or college leavers), you may be eligible for a discount or exemption on your Council Tax.

Any student exemption will end when the course ends. If you have finished one course and are waiting to start another, you will not be classed as a student. Though particular rules exist for some school or college leavers, in most cases you will be liable for Council Tax at this point.

There are 3 categories of students for Council Tax purposes:

• full time students
• students under 20 years old
• foreign language assistants

Full time students

Full time students must be enrolled with a university, college or some other institution that only or mainly provides courses of further or higher education. The course must also:

• last a full calendar year (or if the establishment operates on an academic year, a full academic year)
• require study of an average of at least 21 hours a week over a full year
• require the person to undertake it for a minimum of 24 weeks in each year of the course

Students under 20 years old

Under 20-year-olds not doing a full-time course may still count as students for Council Tax purposes if they are:

• required to study for more than 12 hours per week
• on a course lasting 3 months or more
• not on a higher education course
• normally expected to attend college between 8am and 5:30pm

Discount or exemption may continue to apply for 18 and 19-year-olds who have left school or college after 30 April until the following November. The discount or exemption depends on the status of and if there are other occupants.

Foreign language assistants

These are people appointed as foreign language assistants at schools or similar establishments in this country and who are registered with the British Council.

Evidence you need to provide

You need to get a Council Tax exemption certificate from your university or college that shows the dates of your course. You must apply and provide us with a copy of your certificate.

If you attend Bournemouth University, the Arts University College at Bournemouth or Health Sciences University (formerly AECC University College), we do not normally need your exemption certificate.

If you are the partner or dependant of a foreign student

Any spouse/civil partner or dependant of a student will be disregarded for the purpose of discount if you are not a British citizen and not allowed to work or claim benefits.

The person applying will need to make a claim to us in writing giving proof of your prevention from claiming benefit or taking up employment.

How to apply

To apply for an exemption or discount, please complete our form. You’ll need to know your Council Tax account number.

Please contact us if you need any help with completing the application form.