Students

You may be eligible for a Council Tax discount or exemption if you are a full-time student and on a course at a registered educational establishment in the UK or under the ERASMUS scheme.

If you are over 20, you must be on a higher education course which lasts an academic or calendar year (at least 24 weeks in each year).  You must also be doing 21 hours or more per week of study, tuition and/or work experience but your work experience can’t be more than 50% of the total course time (except if you are a student teacher).

If you are under 20, you’ll need to be on a course which lasts for at least three months and doing 12 hours or more per week of study, tuition and/or work experience.

You can also qualify if you are a foreign language student registered with the British Council, or if you are a student nurse on a course that leads to registration under the nurses, midwife and health visitors act 1997.

Foreign Students with an Overseas Partner or Dependent

If you are a foreign full-time student with a partner or dependent who is not a British citizen and they are prevented by immigration regulations from taking paid employment or claiming benefits whilst in the UK, then your household may be exempt from paying Council Tax.   

Apply for a student Council Tax discount

You will need to submit your student certificate of exemption from Council Tax. You can obtain this certificate from your university or college. The certificate must state your full name, your full-time student status, the course of education and its duration. 

If you are a foreign student with a partner or dependent who is not a British citizen, you will also need to provide a copy of your partner’s passport with their visa. This must clearly show their immigration status and the conditions that prevent them from working or accessing public funds.

Apply for student council tax discount

Apprentices

To receive an apprentice discount, you must be employed for the purposes of learning a trade, business, or profession and be:

• on a programme of training leading to a qualification accredited by the National Council of Vocational Qualifications or the Scottish Vocational Education Council
• earning or receiving no more than £195 per week (before tax and National Insurance) 

Apply for apprentice council tax discount