Switched-on students can claim TV licence refund

Students in Ballymoney and Moyle heading off on their summer holidays from halls and rented accommodation could be entitled to a cash-happy refund of almost £37 on their annual TV Licence.

Many students moving back to their parents’ home will no longer need their own TV Licence over the holidays.

If there are three full calendar months before their college-time licence expires and the home they are moving to for the holidays is licensed, students are entitled to a refund for the unused quarter.

As well as making gadget choices for uni and buying the essentials for new digs, students need to ensure they buy a TV Licence at the start of the academic year to allow enough time to qualify for a refund at the end of the year.

A colour TV Licence bought in October last year would mean they could receive a refund of £36.37.

Deborah King, TV Licensing Northern Ireland, said: “With the end of term on the horizon and the summer holidays fast approaching, it’s great news for students who bought a TV Licence last September or October to know they can claim some cash back.

“As well as reminding students they need to be correctly licensed to watch or record programmes as they are shown on TV, we also want to remind them to take advantage of the refund before they move back home for the summer.”

Research by TV Licensing shows that half of students (50%)* are watching at least an hour of TV a day across a myriad of devices.

A TV licence is needed to watch or record programmes at the same time as they are shown on TV, whether you are watching through an aerial on a TV set or via the internet on a device such as a laptop, games console, tablet or mobile phone.