You can sometimes get Universal Credit as a student, but usually not if you study full time. If you study part-time and are available for work, you usually can. Full-time students usually cannot, unless they meet an exception, such as being responsible for a child. An apprenticeship is different again, because it counts as a paid job rather than studying.
Can you claim Universal Credit as a part-time student?
Part-time study is usually fine, whether it is at a college or a university. As GOV.UK puts it: “You may be eligible for Universal Credit if you’re available for work and studying part-time.”
The key words are “available for work”. If a part-time course still lets you look for and take a job, it does not normally stop your claim. Tell your work coach before you start, so it is agreed and recorded.
What counts as full-time study?
This catches people out, because it is not about the number of hours you personally attend. GOV.UK says “the education or training provider usually decides whether a course is full-time”.
There is a trap worth knowing. GOV.UK says “if you attend a full-time course on a part-time basis, you’ll be treated as studying full-time”. So dropping to fewer days on a course that is officially full-time does not make you a part-time student. If you are not sure how your course is classified, ask the college or university, because it changes which rules apply to you.
Can you claim Universal Credit as a full-time student?
Full-time study is different. GOV.UK states: “You cannot usually get Universal Credit if you’re studying full-time.” This is where most full-time college students and university students sit.
But “usually” matters, because there are exceptions. According to GOV.UK, a full-time student may still get Universal Credit if, for example:
- “you’re responsible for a child”
- “you’re aged 21 or under, in full-time non-advanced education and do not have parental support” (this covers many full-time college courses such as A levels or BTECs, but not a university degree)
- “you live with your partner and they’re eligible for Universal Credit”
- “you’re disabled, were assessed as having limited capability for work before starting your course”, and get certain disability payments
If you are a full-time student aged over 21, the age-based exception does not apply to you. You would need to meet one of the other exceptions instead. A university degree is advanced education, so the college route does not apply to it either. The full list has more detail, so check your own situation on GOV.UK guidance on Universal Credit and students.
Does student finance affect your Universal Credit?
If you do get Universal Credit as a student, your student finance can reduce it. GOV.UK says: “Your student income, such as loans and grants, can affect how much Universal Credit you get.”
The main rule is about maintenance loans. GOV.UK states that “loans for maintenance, such as living costs and rent, are regarded as income”, and are counted when your Universal Credit is worked out. For each assessment period, the first £110 of that income is ignored.
Not everything counts. A Special Support Loan or Special Support Grant “will not be taken off your Universal Credit”. Because the detail depends on your course and funding, check the GOV.UK students guidance for your own situation.
Can you claim Universal Credit on an apprenticeship?
An apprenticeship is not treated as studying. It is a paid job. GOV.UK confirms apprentices are “paid and be entitled to the National Minimum Wage” and get “holiday pay and other employee rights”.
So you can usually claim Universal Credit while doing an apprenticeship, in the same way as any other worker. Your apprentice wage counts as earnings, and your payment reduces by 55p for every £1 you earn, above any work allowance you qualify for. See how working affects your Universal Credit.
Can a short course count towards your claim?
A short course is not just allowed. It can count as part of what you have agreed to do. GOV.UK describes work preparation activity as something that “could include preparing a CV or attending and completing a training course”.
In other words, a course that improves your chances of getting a job can be exactly what your claimant commitment is asking for, rather than a risk to your claim. Many of these courses are short, part-time or online, and already free if you claim Universal Credit.
Agree it with your work coach, so it is recorded as part of your commitment. If money is the barrier rather than the rules, ask about the Flexible Support Fund, a grant that can help with course travel and other costs.