Do I need to look for work?

[UniUC]

I’ll try and keep this as short as possible.

I am a single parent to 2 school aged DCs.

I am planning to start a masters degree in the next few days.
It is full time but only 2 days a week - not sure how they work that one out.

I lost my job 2 weeks ago and haven’t found anything yet.

Am I expected to look for work or can I just do the masters degree and get UC?

A few years ago, I did an undergraduate degree FT and I wasn’t expected to look for work or go into the job centre for meetings etc.

I am wondering if it’s the same with a masters degree?

(FWIW I am financially way better off working and so I will continue to look for work whilst studying. It’s not about trying to get out of working or anything).

Has anyone done a FT masters and claimed benefits?

No they won't let you claim UC and do that. If it's full time are you not entitled to a student loan ?

My daughter did her MA as a single mother. She was given a bursary payment from the University and still got UC to cover her rent / childcare .We paid for her actual Uni fees .

If your kids are school age then, absent a health condition that affects work UC will put you in the All Work Requirements Group; you'll be expected to seek/take work. If your kids are young you'll only be expected to take work that fits in with their school days.

As above, it it's full time are you eligible for some form of Student Finance?

Were it a part time course it would have to be compatible with your work obligations.

If it's the OU the rules are different because study can be flexed in a way it cannot with daytime lectures etc.

I have applied for the loan which is £12k but £10k of this is for the tuition fees for the degree.

It’s an in person degree, not OU.

I left my previous job to go to a different one which was meant to start at the beginning of September but then fell through.

The shifts of it fit in with this course and me taking this course was a good reason why I got offered it and its something I’d like to do in the future, so I don’t want to not do the course but I am worried about finances.

Why was the job offer rescinded? Have they offered you any financial compensation, after all you resigned from your previous job to take the new role. Have you approached your previous employer and asked if they would consider reemploying you? Could you defer the course and concentrate on finding a new job?

UC count 30% of a postgrad loan as income regardless of tuition costs.