UNIVERSITY bosses in Bradford are warning freshers not to fall foul of the law even before they arrive in the city.

New students have been reminded to make sure they are as familiar with TV licence regulations as they are with the new technology they may use to watch programmes.

A licence is needed when programmes are watched directly, regardless of the equipment used, which means watching on a tablet requires a licence just as much a convention TV set.

David Houston, assistant accommodation manager at the University of Bradford, said: “Many first year students will be moving out of home for the first time, starting a new adventure at the University of Bradford.

"Some will be moving many miles from home, others, just around the corner. Regardless of where they’ve chosen to study, and their reasons for doing so, new students need to make sure they’re licensed if they are going to watch live TV while away at university.”

Research shows the average student at Bradford University will have moved 90 miles from home to continue their education.

Two thirds chose Bradford because they wanted to live in a different city, with only 12 per cent making their choice on the grounds that it was close to home.