► Information
The Graduate School
Contact Information:
The Graduate School Tele: 01752 587640
Level 3, Link Building Fax: 01752 587634
University of Plymouth Email: graduateschool@plymouth.ac.uk
Drake Circus
Plymouth, PL4 8AA
Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00-16:30
Friday 9:00-16:00
Advice
Information and advice for adult returners - The Routes to Higher Education Service http://www.plymouth.ac.uk/return
Routes to Higher Education Tele: +44(0) 1752 587963
Widening Participation Fax: +44(0) 1752 232369
Univeristy of Plymouth Email: routes@plymouth.ac.uk
Drake Circus, Plymouth
PL4 8AA
SCONUL Access
The University is a member of the SCONUL Access scheme, which allows staff,research students,full-time postgraduates and part-time, distance and placement students to borrow from other university libraries that are members of the scheme. For further information visit the schemes http://access.sconul.ac.uk/ or email Julie Watson at julie.watson@plymouth.ac.uk. You can also contact her by phone on +44 (0)1752 587228.
Some extra points for mature students
I'm a mature student - can I get any state benefits?
Single students cannot apply for Income Support and Housing Benefit for the entire duration of their course - even during summer vacations (unless they are disabled).However, a single student over 25 can claim Working Tax Credit if working over 30 hours per week.
Students with partners
If you are both students, and have no children, neither of you can get Income Support and Housing Benefit for the duration of your course - including over the summer period.
However, if either of you is aged over 25 and working at least 30 hours per week, Working Tax Credit may be payable.
If you are both students, and you have dependant children, one of you can claim Housing Benefit throughout the academic year if you live in rented accommodation.You will be able to claim Child Tax Credit, and if one of you works for at least 16 hours per week, Working Tax Credit may also be payable. One of you will also be able to claim Jobseeker's Allowance for the months of July and August.
If you are a student, and you partner is unemployed, your partner can claim Jobseeker's Allowance and Housing Benefit for both of you, but your student income will be taken into account. If your partner is sick, he/she can claim Incapacity Benefit and Housing Benefit.
If you have dependant children,you can claim Child Tax Credit and if one of you works over 16 hours per week, you may be able to get Working Tax Credit.
Lone parents
PLEASE NOTE - FOR BENEFIT PURPOSES A 'LONE PARENT' IS SOMEONE WITH SOLE CARE OF AT LEAST ONE CHILD UNDER 12 YEARS OLD - THIS AGE LIMIT WILL DECREASE FURTHER OVER THE NEXT COUPLE OF YEARS
If you are a lone parent, you retain your eligibility for Income Support and Housing Benefit even while you are a student, though some of your student income will be taken into account against your entitlement. [a lot of it is disregarded] You can claim Child Tax Credit all year round, without it being affected by your student income [other than the Adult Dependants Allowance, if you receive one]
In most cases this will mean that you will have too much student income to get the Income Support allowances and premiums, though you may still get some Housing Benefit. You should not be worse off overall, unless you have extra costs such as childcare and travel, though supplementary grants and the Access to Learning [hardship] Fund should be able to help you with these.
