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Starting an Access Course with the Open University

cwatson0000

I’m starting an access course with the open uni online which doesn’t lead to any formal qualification, it’s just like a tester course for what a degree with the open uni would be like. It says most students study for 8-10 hours per week.

I get LCWRA and I get PIP so I know it’s not an issue me being in part time education but I don’t know if this is something I need to declare to Universal Credit as the course is less than 12 hours a week, and doesn’t lead to a formal qualification?

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Comments

cwatson0000

it may lead to a formal qualification, but I mean you don’t get a qualification at the end of doing the course.

poppy123456

As it's only part time and you have LCWRA then you do not need to report any changes because you have no commitments with UC.

Holly_Alumni

Hi @cwatson0000 this is a tough one… I've had a look at the government website and the rules around education isn't very black and white. It seems to be based on a variety of circumstances, so quite unique to each person. You have mentioned it may lead to a formal qualification (sounds exciting 😀), which they do reference a bit on their website too when listing some of the qualifications.

It would suggest that they do expect to be notified about both part and full time education. And if you're confident it won't effect your claim, it might be better just to notify them. Better safe than sorry.

Best wishes,

poppy123456

The Gov.uk website refers more to full time students than part time students. Yours in OU and part time, which doesn't affect your UC because you have no commitments. If it was full time it would be different and you would need to report this.

See link.

https://www.gov.uk/guidance/universal-credit-and-students

Studying part-time

You may be able to get Universal Credit if you’re available for work and studying part-time.

There's more information here.

https://www.turn2us.org.uk/get-support/information-for-your-situation/part-time-students-and-benefits/can-part-time-students-claim-universal-credit

The only thing that would affect your UC is if there was a maintenance loan available to you, even if you didn't take that loan. However for OU, there isn't usually any maintenance loans available, as far as I'm aware.

There's maybe some disabled student allowance available but those are disregarded.

cwatson0000

@poppy123456

Am I correct in saying that studying full time with the Open Uni (if I decided to) is allowed because all Open Uni courses are considered part time for benefit rules, even if studied on a full time basis?

Grissom123

I did an Open Uni course a few years ago, and one thing I would recommend, and which was also recommended to me, is even if you aren't entitled to a maintenance loan, send the letter from Student Finance anyway making it clear that you weren't entitled to it, just to be on the safe side. I'm pretty sure all courses with open uni, even full time ones, are classed as part time by the DWP.

poppy123456

I'm afraid I don't know the answer to that. Although even if it was treated as full time, providing you're claiming a disability benefit such as PIP/DLA or ADP then you can continue as a full time student and claim UC because yours includes the LCWRA element.

The advice about the maintenance loan still applies.

Grissom123

From the Scope website:

The Department for Work and Pensions classes distance learning courses, such as the Open University, as part-time study. This means that even if you study full-time, you are a part-time student.

Grissom123

Sorry forgot the link

https://www.scope.org.uk/advice-and-support/loans-scholarships-might-affect-benefits#:~:text=Student loans,count this as your income.