Find out if you can pay less council tax if you're a full-time student in Bristol, and apply for a discount or exemption.

We're currently receiving a high volume of enquiries which may cause delays in processing changes to council tax accounts.

You don't need to send more than one enquiry about the same thing. We'll respond to you as quickly as possible.

Who could get discount or exemption

If everyone in the property is a full-time student, you may not have to pay any council tax.

If only some people are full-time students, you'll have to pay but might get a discount.

If you live in a student hall provided by your university or college then you do not need to apply for a discount or exemption.

If your tenancy start date is before your course start date, you will not be counted as a full-time student for the period between those dates and you could be liable to pay council tax for that period. The same applies if your course ends before the last day of your tenancy.

You may also be able to apply for a discount or exemption if you're:

Apply for a discount or exemption

Before you start

You'll need the:

  • address and postcode of the property in Bristol
  • names of all adults over 18 living at the property
  • date each person moved in
  • student number or certificate for each student
  • date of birth for students under 20 years old

After you've applied

After you complete the online student discount form you may be asked to upload student certificates. 

You can upload any student certificates using our council tax contact form.

Apply for a student discount or exemption

What is a full-time student

If you're under 20, then your courses must:

  • last at least 3 months
  • involve at least 12 hours study per week

If you're over 20 years old, then your courses must:

  • last at least 24 weeks
  • involve at least 21 hours study a week
  • be at a recognised educational establishment

If you live with someone who is not a full-time student

Only one non-student in the property

If there is only one non-student living in the property, the household is eligible for a 25% discount on the council tax bill.

The students in the household are disregarded for council tax purposes. They are not counted when the number of adults in the property are calculated. This is known as a student disregard.

Two or more non-students living in the property

If there are two or more non-students living in the property, the household does not qualify for a single person discount. The full council tax amount is payable.

The students are still disregarded, but this does not affect the discount since there are already two non-students.

Non-British dependants of students

If you are a non-British citizen living in the UK as the partner or dependent of a full-time student, your liability for council tax depends on your immigration status.

If you're not allowed to work or claim benefits

If your visa or immigration documents do not allow you to both work or claim benefits in the UK (often referred to as having 'no recourse to public funds'), you may be disregarded for council tax purposes. This means the property could qualify for a discount or exemption.

To apply for a discount or exemption, you may need to provide a copy of your passport or visa.

Apply for a discount or exemption by using our council tax contact us form.

If you're allowed to work or claim benefits

If your documents do allow you to work or claim benefits, you will be liable to pay council tax, and the property may not qualify for discount or exemption.

The students in the property will still need to apply for student exemptions.

Student nurses and youth training trainees

You could be exempt from paying council tax, if you're:

  • enrolled in a full-time course of education to become a nurse
  • participating in a government-recognised youth training program

Apply for a council tax discount or exemption.

Apprentices

If you're employed to learn a trade or profession and are earning a low weekly income that is no more than £195 (gross), you may qualify for a council tax discount based on your income level.

The training must lead to a qualification accredited by a recognised body.

Apply for a council tax discount or exemption.