Students don't use the purchased TV licence for at least 4 months out of the year purchased. there should be a 6 or 8 month option at a lower cost

I am a student and I think we have enough distractions without bringing a TV into the equation. Many programmes are now available for free online, through services such as BBC iplayer or 4OD. I think that is enough free TV for students, after all we are at university to learn and study, not watch TV. Occasionally a good documentary is on which would help with studies but most of the time you can go to someone’s house or someone’s room who can afford the licence. TV is a waste of brain power and intelligence and should not be encouraged anyway.

Due to students’ limited disposable income which is usually supported by banks’ overdrafts, students receive discounted goods to make it more affordable and more desirable to purchase: why is this not the case for TV licences?

Students in the UK currently do receive discount on their TV licences, thus making them more affordable. It is possible to claim a refund for any three moth period remaining on the licence if it is not going to be used – i.e. over the summer holidays. The website (http://www.tvlicensing.co.uk/information/students.jsp#link8a) contains a section dedicated to students and provides guidance of the procedure involved in claiming such a refund.

In addition, a number of students now live in their student house throughout the year rather than just during term time. A small number even sublet to others during their vacations. In this sense it is fair to charge the full amount.

A discount to the rate for students will benefit both parties: students will receive the license for a discounted rate and save them money. The TV licensing company will receive higher revenue in 2 forms, more students will be willing to purchase the license instead of taking the risk that they may get caught, secondly, the TV licensing company will not waste time, money and resources sending out reminder, final reminder and ‘your room is being investigated’ letters.

We don't need the state nannying us any more than they already do. It's none of their business how much TV students watch, if they choose to spend their whole time at University watching Countdown let them.

University life should, at least in part, help young people become independent. Which means learning the consequence of their behaviour – or in this case getting a rubbish job because they got a poor degree.

TV's great, but maybe this is the government's way of encouraging us to get to know life more. We've got the rest of our lives to watch TV. At uni we can read books, learn about our course, make friends, actually talk to people. It's a little break from what we were used to as a child that could potentially break the spell and make us appreciate life more.

Sometimes I feel some students will have nothing but TV programmes and games to look back on when they're out of uni.

Students are much too quick at using the "fair" word, potentially because they have not yet learned that life is inherently "unfair" and you have to either like it or lump it.

The TV license is a ridiculous concept to millions of people - not just students. To give students a discount would be so open to abuse it would be unreal. The cost of policing the discount would be more than the revenue raised from the student population.

The bottom line is stop crying over your kebab and calculator and realise that the TV license is unfair full stop - not just for students.