Universal credit & starting a degree

[Onetwopyjamacrews]

Searched high and low for an answer and even the person I rang on tax credit helpline didn’t seem to know for sure.

I’m currently doing an access course (classed as part time education) and I work 17-20 hours a week, have a 1 year old son and get CTC and WTC. I’m hoping to study nursing next year which will be a full time degree. Currently I’m planning on keeping my job but only working the 17 hours so should still qualify for WTC and CTC but I’m wondering, will starting full time education trigger a move to UC?

I’m fully aware once I start placements I probably will have to leave my job so will be moved over to UC then anyway but I could do with knowing so I can save enough to get me through that period if i’ll be moved when i start full time education. Any help would be greatly appreciated thanks

Starting the degree won’t trigger a change to universal credit, and the tax credits don’t take student loans into account so they will be on top of the money you get currently.

Once you transfer to UC then it includes your student finance as income, so you will be significantly worse off bitter voice of experience

Thankyou! Then the only reason i’d have to move over to UC before natural migration would be if i stopped my part time job. I think i’m just going to put as many holidays in during my first placement as possible so i can keep my tax credits a little longer and put off the wait for UC coming through!!