Council tax exemption

Eligibility and further information

We provide certification for council tax exemption for students on full time courses leading to an eligible qualification. A full time course is one which, in our opinion, requires study for more than 21 hours per week for at least 24 weeks in each academic year. If you are a part time student you are not eligible for exemption, even if you choose to study more than 21 hours or are required to for part of the course.

On the last year of your course, full time student status normally finishes at the end of the exam diet for the trimester you last attend classes in. For most students this is the Trimester 2 exam diet. You can see the dates of the academic year here. Your full time status does not extend to your graduation or re-sit diet if you need to re-enter exams. If you are continuing on the same course after the summer, your status will normally cover you over the summer period.

Your home may not be eligible for exemption or discount if there are other adults residents who are not full-time students. You'll get full details in Council Tax in Scotland - a guide for students.

More information for international students is available from UKCISA ("Council tax and international students").

How to apply

If you live in Caledonian Court, the Accommodation Office will handle this. Students living anywhere else:

1. Contact your local council for an exemption form. Glasgow City Council has a web page about students and council tax where you can download or complete the form online.

2. If you stay within Glasgow City Council's area, we will confirm your student status directly to the council in October. You just need to complete the form and write in section 2, "Confirmation to follow direct from Glasgow Caledonian University."
   If you live in another council's area, we will send you a certificate confirming full time student status in October. Include this with your local council's application form. If you don't receive the certificate by end of October or you need another copy, go to the Academic Registry desk with your matriculation card and we will print one for you. Or contact Student Records and we will post it to you. You will need to write to us if you want a certificate sent to a different address from your student record.

3. Send it back to the council. If you are sharing with other students, it's best to send all forms back together for faster processing.

4. If you move to a new flat or house, you must update your student record and let the council know. We will confirm your status directly to Glasgow City Council if you move into their area. If you move to another area go to the Academic Registry desk with your matriculation card and we will print a new certificate for you. Or contact Student Records and we will post it to you.

Updated: 18 October 2011 | Student records | Legal