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In most cases, you don’t pay council tax if you’re a full-time postgraduate student. But your living situation and study status can change things.

Here’s what you need to know:

The postgraduate council tax basic rule 👇

You’re usually classed as a full-time student (and exempt from council tax) if:

  • You study 21 or more hours per week
  • Your course lasts at least 24 weeks per academic year

That applies to most full-time Master’s and PhD students.If you meet those conditions, you’re typically exempt from paying council tax, and you’ll need to tell your local council..

If everyone in your household is studying full-time 

If you live in a house or flat where every resident is a full-time student, the property is completely exempt.

What that means for you:

  • The household pays 0% council tax
  • You’ll usually need to provide a student status certificate from your university
  • You may still receive a council tax bill, but it should show a full exemption once you’ve applied.

Council tax exemption is not automatic. You (or your housemates) need to apply through your local council, here’s how to do that. .

If you live with one non-student

If you live with one adult who isn’t a student, the household may qualify for a 25% discount.

Full-time students are “disregarded” for council tax purposes, but if anybody doesn’t study, your household needs to pay.

👉For example:

  • You (full-time Master’s student)
  • One working professional

The council sees one adult liable (legally responsible) for council tax, so the property gets a 25% discount.

If you live with two or more non-students, there’s usually no student-based discount — and the non-students will be responsible for the full bill.

Students under 20

If you’re under 20 and studying a qualifying course (like A-levels):

  • The course must last more than 3 months
  • You must study 12+ hours per week

If you meet those rules, you could also qualify for an exemption.

Council tax rules for Master’s students 📚

If you’re doing a Master’s, your council tax situation mostly comes down to one thing: are you officially classed as studying full-time?

Taught vs research Master’s

For most full-time MA, MSc or MRes courses (typically one academic year), you’re classed as a full-time student if you:

  • You study 21+ hours per week
  • Your course lasts at least 24 weeks in the academic year

So if you’re on a standard full-time taught or research Master’s, and everyone in your property is also a full-time student, your household should be fully exempt.

If you live with non-students, the discount rules we covered above apply: 25% off if there’s only one non-student adult.

The key thing councils look at isn’t the course title, it’s your official enrolment status.

What about part-time Master’s students?

If you’re studying part-time, you’re not automatically exempt from council tax.

Even if your workload feels full-on, councils look at official course intensity and duration.

You’ll usually need to pay unless:

  • You qualify for another exemption (e.g. You’re a care leaver aged 18–25)
  • You’re eligible for council tax support based on income

Part-time postgraduate students are treated the same as any other adult resident for council tax purposes. So, if your household has three full-time students and one part-time postgrad student, you’ll get a 25% discount on council tax. The part-time student is treated like any non-student.

A note on course duration

Most UK Master’s degrees run for a full academic year. However, a course might be shorter than a full calendar year.

If your course doesn’t meet the 24-week rule in the academic year, an exemption can get tricky. In that case, your council could decide you don’t meet the technical definition of a full-time student for council tax purposes.

It’s rare, but if you’re on an accelerated or non-standard programme, double-check with:

  • Your university registry team
  • Your local council’s website

Don’t assume you’re covered just because it’s called a “full-time Master’s”. Your course has to meet specific criteria to qualify for exemption.

The gap between undergrad and Master’s

This is another bit that catches people out. If you finish your undergraduate degree in June and your Master’s doesn’t start until September or October, you could be liable for council tax over the summer period.

It’s only a couple of months but it could still leave you with a bill, so it’s worth checking rather than ignoring the post from the council.

PhD council tax rules 👀

For PhD students, the rules are mostly the same as if you’re on a full-time Master’s, but the longer timeline means there are more grey areas to be aware of.

Here’s how it usually works.

The 3–4 year exemption

If you’re registered as a full-time PhD student during your main research period (typically 3–4 years), you’re normally exempt from council tax.

If everyone in your household is also a full-time student, the property should remain fully exempt.

As always, you’ll need to provide proof each academic year. Here’s how to let your council know you’re a student each year.

The “writing up” danger zone

Many PhD students move into a “writing up” or continuation period after their funded research years. Tuition fees may stop or drop to a nominal amount.

Some councils assume that once you stop paying full tuition fees, you’re no longer a full-time student. That isn’t automatically true.

What matters is:

  • Whether your university still classifies you as full-time
  • Whether you still meet the 21-hour study expectation

If your university confirms you’re still full-time, you should remain exempt.

However, you may need more specific proof, such as:

  • An updated student status letter
  • Written confirmation from your supervisor
  • Confirmation from your postgraduate research office

If you receive a council tax bill during writing up, don’t ignore it. Contact your university first and ask for formal confirmation of your status.

Thesis submitted, awaiting Viva

There’s also the period after you’ve submitted your thesis but before your Viva (oral exam).

Your exemption usually continues until:

  • Your official course end date, or
  • The date your university confirms you are no longer enrolled

This varies slightly depending on your uni, so check your official enrolment status rather than assuming you’re covered.

Paid work during your PhD

Many PhD students receive stipends or funding. That doesn’t affect your council tax exemption.

What affects it is your student status if you get a job alongside your studies. A part-time job won’t usually affect your exemption status.

But if you:

  • Move into full-time employment
  • Reduce your PhD to part-time status
  • Stop being officially classed as full-time

You’ll likely lose your exemption. Best to ask your university about your status to be clear.

Extensions beyond four years

If your PhD runs longer than expected, you don’t suddenly become liable to pay council tax. But you’ll need to re-prove your student status.

As long as:

  • You’re still registered as full-time
  • Your university confirms this in writing

You should remain exempt.

The key thing with PhDs is that exemption is tied to official enrolment status, not funding, not stipends, and not how many years you’ve been studying.

When in doubt, get written confirmation from your university before responding to any council tax demand.

Living with non-students and partners 🤝

For council tax purposes, full-time students are “disregarded”, which means exempt and don’t count when the council works out how many liable adults live in the property.

Here are some examples of how that works in real life:

🔹Scenario A: All students

If everyone in the property is a full-time student:

  • The household is fully exempt
  • The bill is £0

You’ll still need to apply and provide student certificates, but once approved, there’s nothing to pay.

🔹Scenario B: Students + one professional

You live with:

  • Two full-time students
  • One working professional

Because students are disregarded (exempt), the council sees only one liable adult living there.

That means:

  • The property qualifies for a 25% single-person discount
  • The professional is legally responsible for the bill

Important: the discount applies to the property, but the non-student is legally liable for the bill. You can agree to split it however you want as a household.

🔹Scenario C: Students + two or more professionals

If you live with:

  • One or more students
  • Two (or more) non-students

The council sees two or more liable adults.

That means:

  • No single-person discount
  • The full council tax bill is payable

If you’re moving into a mixed household, it’s worth having the council tax conversation early. Money misunderstandings are one of the quickest ways to create household disputes.

🔹Scenario D: Living with a partner

If your partner isn’t a full-time student, they count as a liable adult.

So if it’s just:

  • You (full-time student, exempt)
  • Your partner (working full-time)

Your partner will likely qualify for the 25% single-person discount, but they’ll be legally responsible for paying the bill.

If you’re both full-time students, the property should remain fully exempt.

International spouses and dependants

In some cases, the spouse or dependant of an international student (on some visas) can be treated as disregarded for council tax purposes. In that case, your household would still be exempt from council tax.

However, this depends on:

  • Visa type
  • Work permissions
  • Individual council interpretation

This isn’t something to guess. You should check:

  • Your local council’s council tax guidance page
  • Your university’s international student support team
  • A qualified immigration adviser (if your visa conditions are complex)

And always get confirmation in writing if possible.

The main takeaway: if you’re living in a mixed household, council tax is based on who counts as a liable adult, and students who are exempt don’t count in that calculation.

But the financial impact can still affect the whole house, so it’s worth sitting down and chatting about how to split your bills.

Take a look at our guide to learn how to pay bills for your student house for tips on managing these payments.

How to prove your status and claim council tax exemption ✍️

Council tax exemption isn’t automatic. Even if you clearly qualify as a full-time Master’s or PhD student, the council won’t just “know”. You have to tell them and send proof.

Here’s how to do it properly:

Step 1: Get your student status letter

You’ll need official proof that you’re a full-time student.

This is usually called one of the following:

  • Student Status Letter
  • council tax Exemption Certificate
  • Student Certificate

You can normally download it from:

  • Your university student portal
  • Your registry or student services page

If you can’t find it, contact your university registry team and ask specifically for a council tax exemption letter.

Make sure:

  • Your name is correct
  • Your course dates are clearly shown
  • It confirms full-time status

Step 2: Find your local council website

Council tax is handled by your local council, not your university. You can find your local council using the GOV.UK “find your local council” tool.

Step 3: Submit your exemption online

In most areas, you can now:

  • Complete the exemption form online
  • Upload your student status letter as a PDF
  • Submit supporting details (like housemates’ names if required)

If you live with other students, each of you may need to submit proof.

Step 4: Wait for confirmation

Don’t assume it’s sorted until you receive written confirmation.

You may still get a council tax bill in the meantime. That doesn’t automatically mean you owe money. It may just mean your exemption hasn’t been processed yet.

If you’ve already applied, contact the council and reference your submission.

Step 5: Reapply when you move (or each academic year)

If you:

  • Move house
  • Start a new course
  • Continue into a new academic year
  • Switch from Master’s to PhD

You may need to resubmit proof.

Exemption is linked to both your course dates and your address. Changing either can mean you need to apply again.

It’s part of the admin that comes with moving, along with sorting your energy, water and broadband and updating your address details.

If you’re about to relocate, our student moving guide walks through everything you need to sort before and after move-in day.

The main thing to remember: if you don’t apply, the council will assume you need to pay. Getting your exemption sorted early saves stress later.

Why managing student bills is easier with Fused ✨

Most full-time Master’s and PhD students won’t pay council tax, but it all comes down to your official enrolment status and who you live with.

  • If everyone in your household is a full-time student, you’re usually fully exempt.
  • If you live with one non-student, the property normally gets 25% off.
  • If you’re part-time, in a summer gap, or in a PhD “writing up” phase, check your status carefully and get written confirmation.

Remember: council tax exemption isn’t automatic. You need to apply for it, with proof.

Even if you don’t pay council tax, you’ll still need to budget for energy, broadband, water and TV licence. That’s where Fused Bills packages make things simple with one monthly payment, split equally, no awkward money conversations.

Moving soon? Get your exemption sorted early and your bills set up in advance. Future you will be glad you did.