Student Maternity Policy
If you become pregnant while you are a student at the University of Reading you can consult the Student Maternity Policy to find out where to seek advice about your health, the health of your child and the management of your course of study.
In addition to this document you may find the following information useful:
Finance
Your student loan can continue for up to 60 days from the beginning of any interruption of study. You will need to inform the Student Loan Company of your circumstances.
You will also need to apply for maternity benefit and information about this can be obtained through your ante-natal clinic or from Student Services Centre or RUSU who will also help you with your approach to the Student Loan Company. Graduate students in receipt of Research Council or other awards should contact the sponsor and make arrangements for the suspension of the award during the period of interruption.
International Students
Overseas students are unlikely to be entitled to maternity benefit and the university recommends that they should return home unless they have sufficient funds to remain in the UK. International students who have financial sponsors must inform the sponsors of their circumstances and agree an appropriate plan of action. International students who return home for the birth of the child should note that most airlines will not carry pregnant passengers after seven months of pregnancy have elapsed. Also, international students returning home should arrange for continuing ante-natal care in their home country and take with them details of any care they have received in the UK.
Benefits for Students with Dependants
Students with dependants can claim:
- Child Benefit (from the Child Benefit Office in Newcastle)
- Housing Benefit (from the Local Authority)
- Income Support (usually only in the summer from the Department for Work and Pensions)
- Dependant's Grant (from the NHS)
- Parent's Learning Allowance and Childcare Grants
- Child Tax Credits (from the Inland Revenue)
- Childcare Grant (for students on both NHS and LA funded courses)
All the above are income assessed apart from child benefit. The Student Services Centre and RUSU can advise you on how to apply for these benefits.
Childcare
This will need advance planning. It is advisable to begin to make arrangements at the beginning of your pregnancy. There is a Day Nursery on campus (run by the Students' Union) with fees partially subsidised by the university, but places are limited and there is a waiting list.
Babies on campus
You must not bring your baby into teaching or learning areas for reasons of health and safety and to avoid the disruption of classes or study. You may need to request facilities to express and store breast milk. Please contact your department about this and they will try to make arrangements to provide facilities which give privacy and are hygienic but this cannot be guaranteed.
