Can I start uni whilst on maternity leave?

pinknfluffy29

Hi

I have got a place at university doing my midwifery training which starts next March and I will get an NHS bursary.

I am pregnant and due November so will be going on maternity leave in October.

Can I start university whilst on maternity leave? Both if I intend to return to work or not??

Many thanks in advance

System

I think a full time course would be a problem as you are technically still employed by your company during maternity leave.

amiehall

!!!!!! wrote: »

I think a full time course would be a problem as you are technically still employed by your company during maternity leave.

Your point being? Many full-time students are in employment.... I didn't give up my job when I started university.

System

I was assuming that the OP had a full-time job. Pray tell how to fit in a 37 hour week and roughly 12 hours of lectures per week

ETA

UCAS code B720. BSc in midwifery

You will spend equal amounts of time on-campus and out on practice placement. Whilst on-campus you will be expected to attend classroom lecturers for six hours per day, Mondays to Fridays. Whilst out on placement, you will need to fit in with the shift system in operation in that area. This will include early, late, night and weekend shifts as well as bank holidays which could include the Easter weekend.

That's for UEA, I don't see any other uni expecting less classroom work.

melancholly

so there may be some personal, logistical problems, but there are no rules against it. as long as any income has been declared properly for getting loans/bursaries etc, then being in employment should not be a problem.

dizzyrascal

I take it that you do realise that it is a full time course? As in 9-5 Monday to Friday, except that you will do some nursing shifts in the evenings or weekends. You can't really do nursing part-time.
Have you considered how you will deal with childcare issues with such a young child?

pinknfluffy29

at the moment i work 23 hours a week as an HCA - when i go to uni my 5th month old will be going into a day nursery.

my degree will be either 4 days at university or 3 long days when on placement.

the nhs maternity leave policy where i work says i am entitled to "If the expected week of childbirth is on or after 1st April 2007:
• For the first 8 weeks of absence, you will receive full pay, less any
Statutory Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance (including any dependants’
allowances) receivable.
• For the next 18 weeks, you will receive half of full pay, plus any Statutory
Maternity Pay or Maternity Allowance (including dependants allowances)
receivable providing the total receivable does not exceed full pay.
• For the next 13 weeks, you will receive Statutory Maternity Pay or
Maternity Allowance (including dependents allowance). Thereafter you
have the option of taking a further 13-weeks unpaid contractual leave."

if i do not return to nhs employment for a minimum i am entitled to "90% of average weekly earnings for the first 6 weeks of her maternity leave, followed
by the lesser of a flat rate sum or 90% of average weekly earnings for the following 33
weeks."

as i have no idea how to work out the figures i will be meeting with HR in the near future.

if there is only a £50 a month loss then this would be ok however if its more like £200 then I would like to return to work for the 3 months and try to reduce my hours to one shift a week.

if this is the case can i start university in March whilst receiving maternity pay and a menas tested bursary????

System

The big assumption is that they will let you reduce to one shift a week. If they say no then how will you manage?

I assume that your current 23 hours is more than 2 shifts so you would potentially be losing £100 per week in pay by going down to one shift.

You may be able to manage whilst on maternity but I think you will struggle to do the 3 months back at work to prevent clawback AND a full time course at the same time

pinknfluffy29

23 hours is 2 long days @12.5hrs each so one shift should be manageable for 3 months, there are other hca's working only one shift a week so I'm sure they will be able to accomodate my reduced hours.

what i plan to do is return to work during the summer break so that i will be settled in at uni with my routine and i'll be able to start work while on a break from uni.

like i said if there isnt much difference in money then i will give my notice but if there is a huge difference i would rather work for the 3 months.

dizzyrascal

I don't think you are considering how much coursework will be required to do the course. At degree level it is not just about attending lectures on set days. You also need to factor in your study time. You need to see this as a 40 hour week.
Some weeks, such as near exams you need to think more about 60 hour weeks. It is a big commitment with a new baby. Would it not be better to see how you cope with the baby before you do commit to full time study. I am not criticising you, I'm just not sure you have thought this through sufficiently.

pinknfluffy29

this is my 3rd baby so i know how much time a baby takes up, I'm also a HCA on a maternity ward so am aware of how much study students have to do in the first year, I am lucky to have a supportive network of family and friends around me so believe me i do know what i'm letting myself in for.

i just wanted to find out whether i can start university whilst on maternity leave the rest is purely about money how worse off i would be if i hand notice in with maternity leave or if i return to work.

thanks for your concern