Can you get benefits while studying part time with the OU

[Monkeytrousers]

I'm in a pickle basically as DP is expecting me to give up on doing my PhD until DS is in school - which will be 1 1/2 years time. It's not long but our relationship has broken down and waiting that long to at least take the steps towards some indepencence from mine and DS's dependence on him seems frighteingly long.

If I left with DS I would have to rent a flat/house or lodge maybe, be responsible for our bills and I'm just wondering if it would be feesible to do my PhD via the OU part time - I'd have to get a career development loan and a part time job - but I'm not sure if I'd qualify for any benefits.

Anyone been in a similar situation?

i know that studying part time means you can still claim benefits as you are still available for work.

i would suggest going into your local Job centre and they can give you a benefits calculation.

Sorry to hear this mt

You would qualify for benefits if you are studying part-time: even those who are doing 120 points a year (which is equivalent to f/t study) are not classed as full-time 'officially'.

Would you be entirely self-funding through your PhD? Would it be possible to find a funded place somewhere?

I have some really good supervisors here Molesworth; we were all set to go for january. I don't want to leave the area, or take DS away from DP but I need to work out of I can do this living apart from DP.

Have you already got a funded place sorted then mt?

You will be able to manage, although you'll be skint for a few years, but you will manage. It would be soul-destroying to have to stay in a relationship that you know is dead for purely financial reasons.

No not funded, I was going to get a career developmet loan to pay for fee's but at a max of 8k over 5 years that's all it would cover.

I think it's all just too tight really..

I would talk to the OU about this - ring your regional office or talk to your supervisor to find out how you stand wrt benefits. You should qualify for Income Support if you are officially studying part-time (I know this to be the case with undergraduate courses, and with masters courses but haven't a clue how OU PhDs work). You would also qualify for housing benefit and council tax benefit, child tax credits and of course child benefit. You wouldn't be rich, but you would manage.

And mt, please don't give up on your dreams! You must be having a shit time at the moment if your relationship is on the rocks - you could consider putting your PhD on hold for a year to give you a chance to get on your feet? It's just another option and not necessarily the right one: it may be that having the PhD to focus on will help you rather than hinder you!

We've decided to do that Moley; put it off until DS is in school in about one and a half years time. We had a breakthrough of sorts yesterday when DP finally said he just couldn't cope with the financial respsonisibilty on his own and that he needed help; even though he's been saying the absolute oppsosite for the last year. So I'm going to start working full time, or thereabouts to help out until DS is in school.

Only thing is I was invited on a course at the London School of Economics today, free but I'd have to travel to London and back to get to the seminars once a fortnight - a min price return from where I live being around 100 pounds, costing 500 pounds in all which we just can't afford (and I'd not be working that day of course) It's really breaking my heart as it's a once in a lifetime opportunity to be taught by some of the leaders in the field and I'm wracking my brains thinking how I could do it. I'm even considering starting a call for sponsors thread on here but know it's such a desperate, pathetic thing to do and hopeless of course.

I can't go the career development loan route as I need that for my PhD couse fees.

Would you qualify for help from the Access to Learning fund (presumably through the LSE) mt?

It certainly is a great opportunity: there must be a way of doing this!

PS I'm glad to hear of the breakthrough with DP

I still haven't forgiven him for his underwhelming response to your degree!

Please remind me what subject? depending on it there may be (or not) a good number of grants.

I don't think you can get benefits for PG study, though but I would do whatever to start asap. I took a term break to cope with some of DS's problems and almost three years on here I am (I would be about to finish by now )

Now, the OU (part time) is considereably less expensive than other universities so in a way, it would be as having a bit of a grant but mainteinance it's another story.

MT, if you really want to go, coaches are far cheaper. If you book well in advance via thetrainline.co.uk you may get the tickets for less than £20

The coach would take forever though wouldn't it?

Hiya Moley, Chandra - yeah the coach is a no goer, as I explained in the other thread but I did consider it but thanks for your suggestions; I really appreciate it.

Moley, I haven't forgiven him for that either and never will frankly. But it makes it all the more important that, even though I'm postponing things for 'us' I still pursue my own path and try when ever possible to take advantage of the opportunities I'm offered; but I can't and won't compromise my son's happiness for them. That's why I'm still here with DP trying. But the hierarchy is DS, me then DP.

Thanks again by the way. x

I hope DP is being supportive about the LSE thing ...

can you get a career development loan for a PhD - I thought you couldn't (interested for myself!)

OU does seemt to be cheaper. I'm a part time student at the moment and can still claim Carers allowance (which is means testes/hours tested etc so prob equivalent to jobseekers allowance etc).

I haven't told him yet.

He is too fragile; that's been my big breakthrough, which has helped dissipate some of my anger and resentment. At the moment this would just sound like me asking for something we can't afford. His stress response is triggered by any talk of money.

If I can sort it out without it 'costing' us anything (I mean that in more way than one; which is apt considering the course is on evolution and human nature) then I'll try to.

Yes, Jimjams, I haven't come across anything that says you can't..though I'm going to have another look now (or tomorrow) to make sure. Why did you assume you couldn't do PhD?

When I looked into it for MSc funding it had to lead onto something practical-like a trade- say homeopathy, or car mechanic or beautician iyswm- whereas a PhD/further study doesn't. Would be interested in what you find out though. I'm currently doing an MSc, already have a PhD (in a different area) so don't really want to do another one, but would like to carry on with the area I'm in, so might be an option..... I think already having one will make it harder for me to get funding, so am looking at all options iyswim.

Yeah, I know coaches take forever but if that's the only way to afford it so be it (says Chandra who thought of working in Alaskan fisheries during the summer to cover expenses for PG study or... should it be a ? ).

I don't remember where are you based but a train ticket from Yorkshire to London return if booked a few weeks in advance is around £19, provided you travel out of peak times.

Hi Chandra, it's just about sorted thanks - a lovely Mumsnetter has donated some of her DP's GNER vouchers!