TV Licensing

Calling all Students: Snap up your TV Licence refund

TV Licensing reminds students to claim a refund on their TV Licence.

As the summer draws closer and students across the UK prepare for their end-of-year exams, TV Licensing is reminding those moving home for the summer they may be able to claim a refund, worth £36.67, on their licence.

Students who purchased a TV Licence at the start of the academic year will have a full three months remaining on their licence and refunds can be claimed for unused quarters. Students are encouraged to take advantage of the refund on the final unused quarter and enjoy summer with extra cash in their wallet. The saving could pay for a ticket to a gig, a return train ticket to a festival, half of a return flight to Berlin or a night out to celebrate the end of exams.

To be eligible, students need to have a TV Licence, be leaving their halls or rented accommodation and be moving to a licensed address.

Kim Hayman, spokesperson for TV Licensing, said:

The student refund is brilliant news for students and we encourage those who bought their licence at the start of the academic year to take advantage of it. We want to help students understand the law when it comes to watching live TV on any device and help them avoid a fine of up to £1000. Reminding them about the refund is part of knowing when you do and don’t need a licence.

Recent research* by TV Licensing shows four out of five students watch TV via some device with 74 per cent of students using a laptop to watch TV. A TV Licence is needed to watch, record or stream programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV. This is the case whether you use a TV, laptop, games console, tablet, mobile phone, or any other device.

Phil Davis, Chair of the National Association of Student Money Advisers (NASMA), added:

The summer months are a fantastic opportunity for students to return home and use every opportunity to repair their bank balances. Getting a refund on the unused three months of a TV licence is a really easy step to take.

It is important students buy a TV licence at the earliest opportunity when starting university and take advantage of the flexible payment options available to them. Most of all, it’s vital students avoid fines for not holding a TV Licence – a quick visit to www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo helps students ensure they are covered to watch TV on a range of devices.

To arrange a refund, or for further information, simply visit the TV Licensing website: www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo, or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6113.

*Research was conducted by Harris Interactive among 220 students spread across universities in the UK in May 2013.