Thursday 14-05-2015 - 10:30

TV Licensing is reminding university students in Cumbria, who are about to move home, that they may be able to claim a refund, worth £36, on their licence.

Students who purchased a TV Licence at the start of the academic year will have a full three months remaining on their licence and a refund can be claimed for this unused quarter.

To be eligible, students need to have a TV Licence with three months remaining on it, be leaving their halls or rented accommodation and be moving to a licensed address. Students can apply for their refund online or over the phone.

The saving could pay for half a return flight to a European city, a beer tour in Amsterdam, one night's stay and a sightseeing tour of Dublin, an Interrail one country pass, or, if students wanted to stay a little closer to home, a bus ticket to visit new university friends in the UK. With a break from studies just around the corner, whatever it goes towards, it's guaranteed to be a summer of fun.

Matthew Thompson, spokesperson for TV Licensing for the North, said:

"The student refund is brilliant news for students and we encourage those who bought their licence at the start of the academic year to take advantage of it. It is important students buy a TV Licence at the earliest opportunity when starting university and take advantage of the flexible payment options available to them. We want to help students understand the law when it comes to watching live TV on any device and help them avoid a fine of up to £1000."

Recent research * by TV Licensing shows the average student owns three devices at university which are capable of streaming live TV with four out of five students watching television content. A TV Licence is needed to watch, record or stream programmes at the same time as they are shown on a TV, laptop, games console, tablet, mobile phone, or any other device.

Linda Armit, store manager for STA Travel North, the world's largest travel company for students and young people, said:

"The summer months are a fantastic opportunity for students to seek adventure and see the world. Getting a refund on the unused three months of a TV Licence could go towards an unforgettable trip and it's a really easy step to take. We encourage all students to claim the £36 back and start planning what they are going to do with the extra cash in their pocket; the small experiences are often the most memorable."

To arrange a refund, or for further information, simply visit: www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo<http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/studentinfo>, or call TV Licensing on 0300 790 6113.