TV Licence Refund Campaign for Students

As students in Newry prepare for their exams, TV Licensing is reminding those moving home for the summer they might be able to claim a refund on their TV Licence, worth £36.37. 

To be eligible, students need to have a TV Licence, be leaving their halls or rented accommodation in universities and colleges across Northern Ireland or indeed universities across other parts of the UK and moving back home to a licensed address. 

Any finance-savvy student who purchased a TV Licence at the start of the academic year will have a full three months remaining on their licence. This means they can now claim a refund for the final unused quarter. The savings could pay for a ticket to a gig, a one-way flight to Amsterdam or night out to celebrate the end of student exams.  

Spokesperson for TV Licensing, Deborah King said “With exams fast approaching and students starting to think about plans for the summer, the refund is fantastic news for students who planned ahead and bought their licence at the start of the academic year. It is vital students understand the law when it comes to watching or streaming live TV or they risk prosecution and fine of up to £1,000.”

Recent research* by TV Licensing shows three out of five students watch at least an hour of TV a day, and 71 per cent of students use their 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 is a great opportunity for students to repair their bank balances, and it’s important they use every opportunity to do so. 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: www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo, or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6090.