Council Tax for Students: Complete Guide to Exemptions (2026)
Full-time student households pay no council tax. But the rules for mixed households, part-time students, and graduating are less straightforward. Here is everything you need to know.
The Key Rule
If everyone in the property is a full-time student, the household is fully exempt from council tax. You pay nothing.
What Counts as Full-Time?
To qualify for council tax exemption, you must be studying:
- At least 21 hours per week of tuition, supervised study, or exams
- On a course lasting at least 24 weeks per year
- At a university, college, or school
Part-time students do not qualify. If you are studying fewer than 21 hours per week or your course is shorter than 24 weeks, you are liable for council tax like any other adult.
Mixed Households
If some residents are students and some are not, the household is not exempt. However, students are "disregarded" when counting adults. This can significantly reduce the bill:
One non-student + students
The non-student is liable, but since the students are disregarded, they qualify for the 25% single person discount.
Two or more non-students + students
The non-students are liable at the full rate. The students are simply not counted, but the single person discount does not apply because there is more than one non-student.
How to Claim Your Exemption
- Get a student status certificate from your university or college. Most have an online portal where you can download a council tax exemption letter. It confirms your name, course, start date, and expected end date.
- Send it to your local council. Most councils accept this online, by email, or by post. You will need to provide it for every student in the property.
- The council updates your account. If you have already been billed, they will recalculate and issue a revised bill or refund.
You need to do this each academic year. Councils typically check your status annually and will ask for a new certificate.
Specific Scenarios
Graduating or finishing mid-year
Your exemption ends when your course officially ends. If you graduate in June, you are liable from July onwards. You only pay for the remaining months of the financial year, not the full year. Your council will send a revised bill.
Gap years and intermitting
If you formally suspend your studies (intermit), you may lose your student status for council tax purposes during the gap. Check with your institution. If you are still officially enrolled and your course has not ended, you may remain exempt.
International students
The same rules apply regardless of nationality. If you are a full-time student, you are exempt. Your visa status (Tier 4, Student visa, etc.) does not affect your council tax exemption.
Student nurses and apprentices
Student nurses on NHS bursaries are exempt from council tax. Apprentices earning under £195 per week are 'disregarded' and do not count as an adult. If an apprentice lives alone, the property can be fully exempt.
Postgraduate and PhD students
Full-time postgraduate students (including PhD) are exempt. Part-time postgraduates are not. 'Full-time' for postgrad means studying at least 21 hours per week, though many universities classify all research students as full-time.
Summer holidays
You remain exempt during summer holidays as long as your course has not officially ended and you intend to return. Students who finish in June and return to a new course in September may have a gap where they are liable.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do students pay council tax?
If everyone in the property is a full-time student, you are fully exempt. Mixed households pay a reduced rate because students are 'disregarded' when counting adults.
What counts as full-time?
At least 21 hours per week of study on a course lasting at least 24 weeks. University, college, and school all count. Part-time students do not qualify.
Do I pay council tax after graduating?
Yes, from when your course officially ends. If you graduate in June, you are liable from July. You only pay for the remaining months of the year.
Are international students exempt?
Yes, the same rules apply. Visa status does not affect council tax exemption.
How do I prove I am a student?
Get a council tax exemption certificate from your university or college (usually available from an online portal) and send it to your local council.