On the 13th May 2011, the Council Tax discount disregard regulations were amended. The new regulations change the definition of a person undertaking a full-time course of education so that the requirement for attendance in relation to a full-time course is replaced by a requirement to undertake such a course.
The Council Tax (Discount Disregards) (Amendment) Order 2011
http://www.legislation.gov.uk/uksi/2011/948/made
This means that students who are undertaking a full-time course of education, whether by physically attending the educational establishment or by other means, such as correspondence or on-line, and who meet the relevant qualifying criteria laid down in the legislation will be treated as full-time students for Council Tax purposes.
In addition the new order allows full-time student resident in England or Wales to qualify under the discount disregard order whilst studying in an educational establishment in any EU member state. Prior to 13th May 2011 the educational establishment had to be based in the UK.