Students and apprentices

Student discount  

Full-time students do not have to pay council tax. 

If you and everyone you live with are full-time students, you can apply for an exemption. 

If you pay council tax on a property where a student lives, you can apply for a discount. 

Who can apply 

To be a full-time student, you must be: 

• on a full-time course of education that lasts at least one academic or calendar year 

• attend for at least 24 weeks in the year  

• study for at least 21 hours per week during term time  

• under 20 years old, on a further education course that lasts at least three months with more than 12 hours of study a week 

Student halls of residence are automatically exempt. For other types of property, you need to apply for an exemption. 

We won’t be able to give you a discount if you live in a household with two or more non-students or part-time students. 

Student nurses are not exempt from council tax but may be eligible for a student nurse discount. 

How to apply 

You’ll need:  

• your council tax reference number  

• address and postcode of the property 

• names of all adults over 18 living at the property 

• student number for each full-time student and their course start and end date 

• name of the University or College for each student 

• Student certificates  

Apply for a student discount

 

Apprentice discount  

If you are on an apprentice scheme, you could be exempt from paying council tax 

Who can apply 

You can apply for a discount as an apprentice if you: 

• are learning a trade or profession through your employment 

• are working towards an accredited NVQ qualification 

• earn no more than £195 per week 

How to apply 

You'll need:  

• your council tax reference number  

• a letter from the organisation confirming your apprenticeship or training course. The letter needs to confirm the name of the course and course dates 

Apply for an apprentice discount

 

If your situation changes 

You must let us know if:   

• your course ends  

• you drop out of your course 

• someone moves in or out 

• your course changes, for example if it has a different end date 

Cancel a student or apprentice discount