Subsidized housing?

I am really, really bad when it comes to financial-speak.

I read in a book on UK study for international students that most University housing is subsidized- can someone explain to me what subsidized means?  And for that matter, what does unsubsidized mean?

Much Obliged! By the way, the book (which is rather informative) is Get Set for Study in the UK by 
Tom Barron. Very good in dealing with specifics!

the university where i work offers student accommodation, but it's not 'subsidised'.  they pay about the same as any market renter - altho full-time students don't pay council tax.  this is a huge 'subsidation' IMO. 

full-time students don't pay council tax.  this is a huge 'subsidation' IMO. 

Really?  Wow; as I will be a full-time student (postgrad) come this fall, I might be excempt?  That would save us over £3,000!  That is a huge subsidation!  Thanks for the tip.

Really?  Wow; as I will be a full-time student (postgrad) come this fall, I might be excempt?  That would save us over £3,000!  That is a huge subsidation!  Thanks for the tip.

so long as your partner is not working.  if your partner is working, you get to pay up.

You get a 50% deduction if you are a full time student and live with a partner who works.  I'm a full time student living alone and I don't pay any council tax.  It saved me about 1300 a year.

You get a 50% deduction if you are a full time student and live with a partner who works.  I'm a full time student living alone and I don't pay any council tax.  It saved me about 1300 a year.

Check w/your council.  Ours doesn't offer this discount.  Only if the two of you are in full-time education do you get off w/o council tax.  But our council is stingy as all h***. 

Only if the two of you are in full-time education do you get off w/o council tax. 

I will be a full-time student in the UK in the autumn    as will be my flat mate.  Is this the way it works, generally speaking, for the whole of the UK, or would it be wise to check with the council?  I've already tried to find the info at their web-site with nothing but legalese that left me confused!  Thanks for any light you can shed!

For what it's worth, my flatmate-to-be is a full-time nursing student, and there seemed to be something about that at the council site, but I was still left in the dark as to whether that would leave us exempt.

Flatmates are not domestic partners or spouses.  If you're flatmate is also a full-time student, you are both exempt from council tax.  The Citizens' Advice Burea website also gives details.