Yes, UK, full-time undergraduate students (including those on a PGCE course) with dependent children can apply for dependents grants to help with the cost of studying such as Childcare Grant, Parents Learning Allowance or Adult Dependents Grants. These grants are means tested.

If you’re a nursing or social work student, you may be eligible for extra support from the NHSBSA. Nursing students can apply for the Exceptional Support Fund (after applying for help through the Manchester Met hardship funds first).

You can apply to the University financial support funds If you’re unsure, give them a call on 0161 247 1045.

You can usually receive government benefits if you’re a part-time student, have dependent children, are sick or disabled or you’re over pension age. Check for details of when you can claim Universal Credit as a full-time student. If you would like more guidance on benefits. Reach out to our Advice Team.

You can also use this grant search tool to look for grants from around the UK.

If you need help with food, the Advice Team may be able to help with arranging a food parcel for you from a local food bank. Get in touch with the team to discuss.

The university offers a bursary called the Success Fund to new undergraduate students who are in need of financial support and fall into one of their key groups, one of which is lone parents with children under 18. They also offer a hardship fund called the Financial Assistance Fund for students who are struggling to cover their living costs or have had an unexpected expense – this fund also prioritises lone parents with children under 18. They may also be able to help students in urgent need with a one-off emergency payment.

• Child Benefit - this is a fixed amount per child of £26.05 per week for your first child and £17.25 per week for any further children.
• Universal Credit - this is a means-tested benefit for people on a low income. It's replacing six other means-tested benefits (including Housing Benefit and Tax Credits) and is paid monthly. If you're a full-time student and have dependent children, you may be eligible to make a claim. The amount you get depends on your income (including your student loan) and your circumstances (e.g. your rent, age and how many children you have).
  We can help with calculating your entitlement.

Unfortunately not, the University does not have links with a childcare provider. The website of your local council should have a database of registered childcare providers within your area, listed by Manchester City Council

It can be difficult to arrange your childcare before you know when you’ll need to be on campus, so try to get your timetable as soon as possible. The Student Hub should be able to help you with this. 

Remember, you may also need to arrange childcare for periods of self-study when you’re not on campus.

The University cannot pay your childcare costs, but they may be able to contribute to them via their support funds (see section above for more detail).

If you're pregnant, the University recommends sharing this with a member of staff so that measures can be discussed to help you continue your course. These are mostly short-term such as approved absences from the course for appointments, but they can also include things like a suspension of studies or if possible, moving to part-time study. What’s available is looked at on a case-by-case basis. You can initially contact your personal tutor, or another academic tutor and a meeting would be arranged shortly afterwards with the appropriate member of staff. Otherwise, you can contact the Inclusion Service.

For more information, visit the Manchester Met website where you’ll find student pregnancy, maternity and adoption guidelines.

There's no academic support specifically aimed at students with children, but some of the support available to all students may be particularly helpful if you're balancing studying with family life:

• Study Skills Team: Can help with study skills such as writing, numeracy, presentations, time management and revision
• Wellbeing Advisers: There for students with worries or anxiety who would find it helpful to talk to someone
• If you're having difficulties on your course, make sure you speak to an academic tutor and support services as soon as possible
• Extensions: If you think you’ll miss an assessment deadline, or your performance has been affected due to unexpected events (such as your child being ill) please consider asking for an extension. You can find out how to request an extension on the Manchester Met website

Family Lives - a charity that offers support to families who are struggling. They can help with issues such as family breakdown, challenging behaviour, debt, and emotional and mental wellbeing.

Adoption UK - offers advice and training to adoptive parents.

Gingerbread - a charity for single parent families.

The University’s Wellbeing Advisers are there for you.

• You can contact the Inclusion service
• The University Counselling and Wellbeing Team are available to talk
• The University encourages you to share this information with them so that you can discuss measures that will assist in continuing your course. After speaking with the Inclusion Service, you can contact your personal tutor, or other academic tutor
• You can find information on The Manchester Met website about student pregnancy policy
• Your GP can discuss your clinical options and issues linked to your health
• The Advice Centre can give you financial advice and explain some options relating to your course
• Extensions: If you think you may miss a deadline or think that your performance has been affected because of this please consider asking for an extension, you can find out how to request an extension on the Manchester Met website