Student Radio

What does the Student Radio Licence cover?

This licence allows you to broadcast via low-powered AM/FM or a hardwired speaker system or secure intranet. If your station broadcasts via low-powered AM/FM, it must also have the appropriate Ofcom licence in place. Please visit Ofcom’s site for more information.

The PPL Student Radio Licence gives you permission to broadcast virtually all commercially-released recordings on your student radio station. It also allows you to copy up to 10,000 music tracks onto a database for use in your broadcasts and, of course, ensures that the performers and recording rightsholders we represent can receive fair payment for the use of their work.

You will also need a PRS for Music licence to broadcast music on your station.

PPL and PRS for Music are two, separate, independent companies. While we both license the use of music and collect royalties for the music industry, we represent different rightsholders and have separate licences, terms and conditions.

PPL collects and distributes money for the use of recorded music on behalf of recording rightsholders (e.g. record companies) and performers. PRS for Music collects and distributes money for the use of music and lyrics on behalf of songwriters, composers and music publishers. Visit PRS for Music for more information.

If you’re broadcasting outside the student radio station’s studio premises (for example at an event in a Students’ Union), you’ll need TheMusicLicence. This is supplied by PPL PRS – you can find out more about this licence here.

If you’re simulcasting on the internet or your student radio station is available online only, you will need a Linear Webcast Licence.

Championing music rights for over 90 years

Costs

The annual fees for the Student Radio Licence are due on 1 November each year. The fees for the 2024/2025 academic year are:

Low-powered AM/FM (academic year) – £577 (plus VAT)

Low-powered AM/FM (full year) – £734 (plus VAT)

Hardwire/Intranet (academic year) – £242 (plus VAT)

Hardwire/Intranet (full year) – £319 (plus VAT)

Reporting

We do not request regular reporting from student radio stations but may request sample reports detailing the tracks played by the station. We will always give notice if asking for this information.

Contact us about a licence

To apply for a licence for your student radio station, please contact us using the form below. We will then be in touch with the next steps to get your PPL licence in place.