Janice Lozano
International students studying in the UK will need to pay for certain utilities, such as electricity, gas, water, and internet, and possibly a TV licence. Students watching live TV or streaming on-demand content on BBC iPlayer will need a TV licence, which costs £169.50 per year. However, there is a loophole where students can watch TV on their mobile phones or laptops under their parents' TV licence, as long as the device is unplugged and not connected to an aerial. Students living in halls of residence with a shared tenancy agreement will only need one licence for the entire house, but separate tenancy agreements will require each tenant to have their own licence.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Halls of residence
If you are an international student living in halls of residence, you will need a TV licence if you want to watch, stream, or record programmes live on TV in your room. Your parents' licence will not cover you unless you are watching on a portable device powered solely by its own internal batteries and not connected to the mains. If you are watching on a device that is plugged into the mains, you will need your own licence.
If you have a joint tenancy agreement for your hall of residence, meaning all names appear on the contract, then one TV licence should cover the whole property. However, if you have a separate contract for your room and are individually liable for your rent, then you will need a separate licence for your room.
The cost of a TV licence is currently £159 and can be paid by Direct Debit or in a lump sum. The licence fee is set to be frozen at the current rate until April 2024 due to the cost-of-living crisis. From 2024 onwards, the fee will gradually decrease until it is scrapped altogether in 2027.
It is important to note that if you never watch or record programmes as they are being broadcast live on TV or online, and never download or watch BBC programmes on iPlayer, then you do not need a TV licence at all.
International Students: Claiming Tuition Fees Back
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Shared tenancy
If you're an international student in the UK, you may need a TV licence to watch TV in your accommodation. It depends on the type of tenancy agreement you have.
If you have a shared tenancy agreement, where everyone in your house signs the same contract, you will usually need just one licence to cover all the devices in the house. This includes TVs in communal areas and individual rooms.
However, if you have a separate tenancy agreement, where each tenant signs an individual contract with the landlord, you will need your own licence to watch TV in your room. If you only use a TV in a communal area, you can use the same licence as your housemates.
If you're living in university accommodation, your shared areas may already be covered by a TV licence. It's important to check with your accommodation provider to confirm this.
You can purchase or renew a TV licence online using a credit or debit card. Having a TV licence will give you access to a variety of programmes beyond live TV, including radio and online services. This includes national TV channels, BBC iPlayer, BBC Sounds, the BBC website, and the BBC World Service.
International Students: Freshmen or Transfer?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Separate tenancy
If you have a separate tenancy agreement, with each tenant signing an individual contract with the landlord, you will need your own TV licence to watch TV in your room. This applies even if you are an international student.
A TV licence is required in the UK if you are watching or streaming channels or shows on any online TV service (such as Sky Go, ITV Hub, All 4, etc.) or using iPlayer to download or stream any BBC channels or shows. This is the case even if you are an international student.
If you are living in university accommodation with a separate tenancy agreement, you will need your own TV licence. If you have a joint tenancy agreement, only one licence is needed for the entire accommodation.
It is important to note that you won't need a TV licence if you are only using streaming services like Netflix, Amazon Prime, Disney Plus, Apple TV, or YouTube, as these are not live broadcasts. However, these services may require a separate subscription fee, so it is essential to check their terms and conditions.
The cost of a TV licence in the UK is currently £169.50 per year, and you can choose to pay a one-off yearly fee, quarterly, or monthly. You can easily apply for a TV licence by visiting the official TV Licensing website and following the instructions.
International Dental Hygienists: Their Work and Struggles
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Concessions and refunds
Students who plan to return home during the summer holidays may be eligible for a refund. If you buy a TV licence before the end of October and then return home for the summer, you could qualify for a refund of almost £37.
If you live in university accommodation, you will need a TV licence to watch TV in your room. However, shared areas may already be covered by a TV licence. If you live at another address outside of term time, you can use its TV licence while at university on any device, as long as it is powered solely by its internal batteries and is not connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains.
If there is no licence at your parents' address, you will need to buy your own. However, if your parents have a TV licence, you may be covered under their licence if you are watching on a device that is powered solely by its internal batteries and is not plugged into the mains.
Concessions are available for people who are registered blind or living in residential care. If you or someone you live with is registered blind, you will qualify for a 50% discount on the cost of your TV licence.
International Students: Funding US College Dreams
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Devices and equipment
In the UK, a TV licence is required if you use any 'TV-receiving equipment' to watch or record television programmes. This includes devices such as TVs, computers, mobile phones, tablets, laptops, games consoles, or any other similar devices.
If you are a student, you may be covered by your parents' TV licence under certain conditions. Firstly, your out-of-term address, such as your parents' or guardians' address, must be covered by a TV licence. Secondly, you can only use TV-receiving equipment that is powered solely by its internal batteries and not connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains. This means that you can use devices such as smartphones, tablets, or laptops to watch TV or access BBC iPlayer without needing your own licence, as long as they are not plugged in or connected to an aerial.
It is important to note that if you are watching live TV or using BBC iPlayer on a desktop computer, games console, or television, you will need your own TV licence. Additionally, if you are in shared student accommodation, the rules for a TV licence may differ. If you have a shared tenancy agreement, you will typically need only one licence to cover all the devices in the house. However, if you have a separate tenancy agreement, each tenant will need their own licence to use a TV in their room. If the only TV is in a communal area, only one licence is required.
TV Licensing has various methods to detect unlicensed usage, including detection equipment and warrants from the court. The penalty for watching or recording TV without a valid licence can be high, with a maximum fine of up to £1,000, in addition to any legal costs and compensation that may be ordered.
Finding UK Jobs: Tips for International Students
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Yes, international students need a TV licence in the UK if they use 'TV receiving equipment' to watch or record TV programmes. This includes TVs, computers, mobile phones, games consoles or any other devices.
If an international student is only watching on a device that's powered solely by its own internal batteries (like a mobile phone, laptop or tablet) and it isn’t connected to an aerial or plugged into the mains, they may be covered by their parents' TV licence.
Viewing TV content without a valid licence can result in prosecution and a penalty of up to £1,000.
A TV licence in the UK currently costs £169.50 per year.
