Council Tax is set by local authorities to help pay for certain services that they provide.
Full-time students following an award-bearing programme of study that requires more than 21 hours of study per week, for at least 24 weeks in each academic year, can apply for Council Tax exemption. If you are continuing on the same course after the summer, your status will cover you over the summer period.
Please note that your address may not be eligible for exemption or discount if there are other adult residents at the address who are not full-time students. Full details of exemption eligibility can be found on the Council Tax exemption webpage.
Resit students in their final year On the last year of your course, full-time student status for Council Tax exemption finishes at the end of the exam diet for the trimester you last attend classes. For the majority of students, this is the Trimester 2 exam diet and does not extend to your graduation date or over the resit diet if applicable.
Please note that due to this, the campus life desk and student records team will be unable to issue you with a letter to cover this period.
If you are unable to make the payments requested by the council you should contact them direct to set up a payment plan.
How to apply There are two processes depending on your local authority. To find your local authority, you can use the search facility on the GOV.UK website using your postcode. This will provide you with a direct link to their website.
Students living at Caledonian Court
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Council Tax exemption for students living in University accommodation at Caledonian Court is automatic and will be handled by the Accommodation Office.
Glasgow City Council students
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If your term time address is within Glasgow City Council's area, we will send your details to them to confirm your status as a full-time student. We confirm student details on a fortnightly basis throughout the term.
Although we automatically confirm your details, you still need to complete and submit Part 1 of their Exemption Form.
Further information and forms can be found on the Glasgow City Council website.
All other local authorities
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If your term time address is under another local authority, you can download a student status letter to submit with your exemption claim form.
To order, you must have completed registration for the academic period. However please note that letters cannot be ordered before the official start date of your course. This does not include your induction week.
Log into the student portal using your username and domain password. From the main page, select 'my programme'. You will then see an option 'request council tax/bank letters'. Select the letter you require from the drop-down menu, and add any details relevant to your request. Once requested your letter will be sent to your student email address. You will receive an email with the letter attached as a pdf file. If you need a hard copy of the letter, you can open and print it yourself. It will have an official signature and stamp on it.
Articulating students
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If you are an articulating student and you wish to claim exemption over the summer period, you should contact your own local authority and provide them with the confirmation of your offer of a place at GCU. During October we will either confirm your student status electronically to Glasgow City Council or you can create your own exemption certificate (see above).
FAQs Below is a list of FAQS which may help answer any questions you have.
I am an international student at GCU. Do I get Council Tax exemption?
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If you are a full-time student and following an award-bearing programme of study that requires more than 21 hours of study per week, for at least 24 weeks in each academic year, you should be exempt from the payment of Council Tax.
Further information for international students is available from UKCISA (Council Tax and international students ).
I am an EU exchange student at GCU. Do I get Council Tax exemption?
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If you are an EU exchange student living in University accommodation at Caledonian Court, you are exempt from having to pay Council Tax. Your eligibility for Council Tax exemption will be handled by the Accommodation Office.
If you are an EU exchange student and are not living in University accommodation at Caledonian Court, you are exempt from having to pay Council Tax. However, to claim your exemption you must follow the procedure outlined below:
You must complete the form from your local authority and also send to the local authority a letter from your home institution with the following details on it:
Confirmation that the programme of study you are following is full time The number of hours attended per week The number of weeks attended each academic year The qualification that will be achieved on completion of the programme The programme title The duration of the programme Confirmation that the institution has permitted you to undertake a period of study at GCU as part of your programme of study The exact period of attendance at GCU.
I am an exchange student from outside the EU at GCU. Do I get Council Tax exemption?
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If you are an exchange student from outside the EU, you will not be eligible for Council Tax exemption unless you are resident in Caledonian Court.
I am a part-time student. Do I get Council Tax exemption?
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Part-time students do not get Council Tax exemption or discount but might be able to claim Council Tax Benefit. You should contact your local authority for more information.
I am writing up my dissertation. Do I have to pay Council Tax?
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Students writing up a thesis or dissertation should contact Student Records . Student Records will need to confirm with your academic department that your study meets the requirement of being an award-bearing programme of study that requires more than 21 hours of study per week, for at least 24 weeks in each academic year.
I am a research student. Do I have to pay Council Tax?
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If you are a full-time research student, you should be eligible for Council Tax exemption. Follow the application processes as detailed above. If you need further help, email studentrecords@gcu.ac.uk
I have taken time out from my programme of study. Do I have to pay Council Tax?
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Students who are registered on a programme which meets the requirement of being an award-bearing programme of study that requires more than 21 hours of study per week, for at least 24 weeks in each academic year but who take time out from the programme of study should be eligible for Council Tax exemption. The University will provide you or your local authority with the necessary confirmation of your student status.
I have received a Council Tax bill but I am a full-time student/I have been contacted by a debt collecting agency
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Check your term-time address is correct on the student portal. If you stay in the Glasgow City Council area ensure you have completed their online exemption form. If you stay in any other council area, check their website for how to apply for an exemption. Complete their exemption form and forward it with a student status letter. If you need an updated letter, you can request this through the student portal to send to the local authority. If you are within the Glasgow City Council area, check with Student Records that they have forwarded confirmation of your student status by emailing Student Records .
If all of this has been done, you should contact your local authority directly.
I am a full-time student and have been contacted by debt collection agency regarding Council Tax. What should I do?
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If you have been contacted by (Scott & Co., Walker Love or BCW group) regarding Council Tax you should do the following:
You should check with Student Records that the term-time address held for you is correct. If not, then you must update your student record and also let the local authority know. If you have not already done so, you should complete and send to your local authority their Council Tax exemption form. Check with Student Records by emailing Student Records to confirm if they have provided you or your local authority with confirmation of your student status. If all of this has been done, you should contact your local authority directly.
