Full-time Student/Full-time Employee - Council Tax

Pont

Just something that occurred to me the other day...

What if a person was working full-time and also embarked on a full-time HE course - would they be exempt for Council Tax purposes?

I have a document in front of me that states,
'To qualify, students must be undertaking a full-time course of education which is defined as, a course...that lasts for one year, and averages 21 hours per week of study, tuition or work experience for a period of 24 weeks a year'.

Well, I could meet this criteria and still work full-time!

My way of thinking is that, in effect, I could embark on a Masters degree for around £4,000 a year (for 2 years) and get a student exemption for Council Tax of approxmately £1,200 pa thus costing me £2,800pa for my PG degree.

I've had a 'google' but can't seem to find any definitive answers?

amiehall

If you're a full time student, then yes you're exempt from council tax. It isn't means tested in any way and it doesn't matter what else you're doing.

agrinnall

You won't pay CT but you also stand a very good chance of doing poorly in your Masters, full time study at postgraduate level and full time employment is not a good mix.

iclayt

I tried for 5 weeks or so, but I couldn't manage working full time at MA level and dropped to part-time MA. It was ok at first as I had an understanding employer who would let me go for a couple of hours for classes a day if I made them up or took them as holiday. But as soon as the reading and coursework started to build up something had to give, and as I needed the money, it had to be the course. So I did a 1 year MA over 2 years and it was still hard going at times.

Unless you're working evenings and weekends, it would be a real struggle to attend classes, and to also do all the reading and assessments AND work full time hours.

But yes, if you are enrolled on a full time MA you will be exempt from Council Tax.

Sanne

I've done 2/3 full-time intensity for a Bachelor while working full-time (40 hours/week) and it's hell. Not so much the studying (as I've got six years work experience in the field I find it quite easy) but getting all the assignments done.

I'm now writing my final research project and have got one last 20 credit module with three assignments due in week 4, 7 and 9, the last one 5000 words and a practical piece, the first two 2000/3000 words each so it's a constant battle to get these done after work.

I wouldn't even want to try at Master's level - and even more certainly not in a field I haven't worked in. One module is enough work!

saintjammyswine

These are classed as full time because although the class contact time is minimal, the time you will need to put in yourself will be full time.