TV Licensing Reminds New Students to get Licensed as They Start University

LONDON, August 15, 2011 -

TV Licensing Encourages Students to Buy Their Licence Early to Get Money Back at Year End

As students across the UK celebrate their A-Level results this week (August 18), TV Licensing is reminding those heading to university for the first time that they can give themselves one thing fewer to do during hectic Freshers’ Week by buying their first TV Licence online now at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo

Those who get organised now and buy a licence to cover themselves from the start of term could also save themselves money in the long run. Refunds can be claimed for any three full calendar months before a licence expires so anyone returning home for the summer holidays may qualify to receive around £37 back.  

A TV Licence is needed for watching or recording any programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, regardless of the equipment used, including computers and mobile phones. With students increasingly taking laptops, smartphones and next-generation games consoles to university, TV Licensing is reminding students - and their parents- about when a licence is needed, so that they have all of the information they need to ensure they are on the right side of the law from day one.  

Students can buy a licence in a matter of minutes with a few clicks of a mouse at TV Licensing’s website - just visit TV Licensing for Students.

Pauline Gillingham, TV Licensing spokesperson, said:

“Starting university is a really exciting time for new students but it’s also incredibly busy at the start of the term, particularly during Freshers’ Week. Students may find they have a rather long to-do list at that time, so it makes sense for them to get organised ahead of term and buy their TV Licence now at www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo or by calling 0300 790 6090. Plus, if they buy in good time they can save money at the end of the year.

“It’s not worth risking being caught without a TV Licence. Anyone caught watching TV illegally risks prosecution and a maximum fine of £1,000.”

Lynne Condell, Chairperson of the National Association of Student Money Advisers, said:

“We know that students are extremely busy at the start of their first term at university so it’s good to get some of the important things, like buying a TV Licence, out of the way. Buying a TV Licence early may pay off financially later in the year as it means students could be eligible for a partial refund when they return home for the holidays for the last unused quarter of their licence.”

For more information please contact Suzanne Stevenson on 0207-544-3144.

Notes to Editors

TV Licensing, students and the law

When you need a TV Licence:

A licence is needed if you’re watching or recording television programmes at the same time as they are being shown on TV. This is true no matter what device you’re watching on (including TV sets, laptops, mobile phones) and no matter how you’re receiving the programmes (includingterrestrial, satellite, cable or digital television channels or via the internet). Anyone without a valid TV Licence who watches or records television programmes as described above risks prosecution and a fine of up to £1,000.

1. If you live in halls of residence and use a device to watch/record TV in your own room, you need your own separate TV Licence
2. You also need your own licence if you are sharing a house with other students and use a device to watch/record TV in your room, and your room is a separately occupied place (a separate tenancy agreement would normally indicate that this is the case).
3. If you have a separate tenancy agreement but a television is only being used in a communal area, then only one licence is required.
4. If you are sharing a house with other students and you use a device to watch/record TV in your own room, but the house can be treated as one place shared by all, then only one TV Licence is required (a joint tenancyagreement would usually be evidence that the house is a single licensable place for this purpose).
5. A device powered by its own internal batteries - a pocket sized TV or a mobile phone for example - may be covered by a licence at the student’s parents’ address.  However, you must not install the device (plug it into the mains) when using it to receive television. If there is no TV Licence at your parents’ address, you will need to obtain one to watch TV.

Cost of TV Licence:

A colour TV Licence currently costs £145.50, and a black and white licence is £49. They will remain at these rates for the next few years as the TV Licence fee has been frozen until 2017.  

TV Licensing refund for students:

If you are moving back home for the summer from university and no longer need a TV Licence over the holidays, and there are three full calendar months before your licence expires, you are entitled to a refund for the unused, quarter of your licence.

You will need to ensure you buy a licence early on, by the end of September/ early October, in order to allow enough time at the end of the academic year to qualify for a refund. The refund on a TV Licence bought after April 2010 will be around £37.

To arrange your refund, or for further information, simply visit www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo where you can complete an online form, or call TV Licensing on 0300-790-6090.

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