Claiming Universal Credit if you're a student
Universal Credit is a payment for people under State Pension age who are on a low income or out of work. In some circumstances you can claim if you are in full-time training or are a full-time student.
If you are in training or studying full-time
If you are in full-time training or are a full-time student, you can get Universal Credit if any of the following apply:
- you are part of a couple and your partner is eligible for Universal Credit
- you are part of a couple who is responsible for at least one child, and one (or both) of you is a student
- you are single and are responsible for a child
- you are over the qualifying age for Pension Credit (which is increasing in line with the increasing State Pension age) in joint claims where your partner is under that age
- you received a Migration Notice telling you to move to Universal Credit and were participating in a course of education before claiming Universal Credit
- you are already in full time education and have moved from Employment and Support Allowance to Universal Credit
- you are disabled, have been assessed as having Limited Capability for Work (LCW) or Limited Capability for Work and Work-Related Activity, (LWRA) and receive:
- Disability Living Allowance or Personal Independence Payment
- Attendance Allowance
- Armed Forces Independence Payment
- if you’re studying in full-time non-advanced education, you do not get a student loan or maintenance grant and you are available for work - if the course is more than 12 hours a week, this only applies from 1 September following your 19th birthday because your parents can claim benefits for you before that date
- if you are 21 or under, in full-time ‘non-advanced education’ (for example, studying for A levels or a BTEC National Diploma), and you don’t have parental support (for example, you don’t have parents and you’re not under local-authority care), if:
- you’re on a full-time course of non-advanced education or training that started before you reached age 21
- you reach age 21 while you’re on the course
You can continue to get Universal Credit until:
- the end of the academic year in which you reach age 21
or
- the end of the course, if it ends before you reach age 21
You may be asked to provide evidence of the course you are doing.
What counts as a full-time course
The education or training provider usually decides whether a course is full-time. If you attend a full-time course on a part-time basis, you will be treated as studying full-time.
A course is an arrangement of study, tuition or training. It can be academic, practical, or a combination of both. It is usually done at, or by arrangement with, an education or training provider.
It will often lead to a qualification when it is completed. Some non-advanced study, tuition or training may not lead to a qualification. This does not mean that it is not a course.
Examples of full-time advanced courses
Full-time courses of advanced education include those leading to:
- a postgraduate degree or similar qualification
- a first degree or similar qualification
- a diploma of higher education
- a higher national diploma
- any other course of study of a standard above advanced GNVQ or equivalent
Examples of full-time non-advanced courses
Non-advanced education is any qualification up to A Level, or equivalent.
Full-time courses include:
- National Qualification Framework level 3
- General Certificate of Education Advanced level (A Level)
- AS Level
- Advanced Diploma
- National Diploma, Certificate or Award
- Level 3 NVQ, Award, Certificate or Diploma
Studying part-time
You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re available for work and studying part time.
If the course is more than 12 hours a week (this only applies from 1 September following your 19th birthday). This is because your parents can claim benefits for you before that date.
You may be asked to provide evidence of the course you are doing.
Attendance at some courses may be agreed with your work coach as part of your claimant commitment as they will increase the prospects of getting or staying in work.
Student income and your Universal Credit
Your student income can affect how much Universal Credit you get.
Universal Credit is usually paid twice a month and is based on your circumstances during that month. This is called your ‘assessment period’.
For each assessment period that you attend the course, any student income you get will be taken into consideration when working out your Universal Credit payments. The amount taken off your Universal Credit will be the actual student income you get that month less a set amount for expenses.
However, no student income will be taken off your Universal Credit if:
- the assessment period covers the first day of the summer holidays
- you’re on summer holiday for the whole of an assessment period
- your course ends during the assessment period
Benefits for higher education students provides information on how your Universal Credit payments are affected by your student loans or grants
Help and advice
If you need help with your claim, contact Universal Credit