4. Re-sits
If you are a full-time student taking time out to re-sit exams, you are still treated as a student during your absence from the course. You cannot claim universal credit (UC) during this time, unless you would be eligible anyway as a student – eg, as a parent. However, if you are taking professional qualifications set by a professional institute or some other body unconnected to your own college or university, you may be able to claim UC while taking time out for re-sits. You may need to appeal and argue that caselaw supports your getting benefit.1R(JSA) 2/02 If your university allows you to ‘register with attendance’, you may be able to get a student loan and grant for living costs from the Student Awards Agency Scotland (SAAS) during a re-sit year. ‘Registering with attendance’ means you are registered as a full-time student, but you attend your course on a part-time basis for a year. SAAS does not pay your tuition fees or give you a bursary. If you are eligible for benefit, you may be better off being in ‘academic suspension’ for the year: you cannot get a loan, but you can claim UC (if you are a student who can get UC).
Note: you also continue to count as a full-time student if you are doing re-sits after the official end date of your course.2UC Reg 13(2)(a) UC Regs
IS Reg 61(3) IS Regs; para 30236 DMG