Entitlement to work and benefits

The Common Travel Area guarantees UK and Irish citizens the right to work in each jurisdiction, making it a relatively smooth process to start working in either jurisdiction as a student. For more see: Border People – CTA.  

Working in NI

If you want to work in the North, you need a National Insurance number. You can apply online or phone the National Insurance Number Processing Centre to make an application – 0800 587 0024.  (Outside UK: 00 44 191 203 7010) 

If you have the right to work in the UK (e.g. are Irish and live in the South) you can apply for job in the North without first having a National Insurance number.  If a prospective employer requests your number as part of the application process it is usually sufficient to say that it is not yet received. 

For more see: Border People – National Insurance Number – Northern Ireland 

Unemployment benefits

In Northern Ireland all benefits and allowances fall under a system called Universal Credit. Most students will not be entitled to Universal Credit (UC), as it is one of the basic conditions of entitlement to UC that the claimant is ‘not receiving education’.  However, exceptions are made where students have additional needs including: 

• Under 21s, if they do not have parental support and their course is not advanced education;
• Disabled, as long as they are entitled to Attendance Allowance (AA), Disability Living Allowance (DLA) or Personal Independence Payment (PIP) and they had limited capability for work (LCW) prior to the start of their course;
• Parents, if they are responsible for a child or qualifying young person;
• Single foster parents, as long as a child is placed with them;
• Couples who are both students, providing one is responsible for a child or qualifying young person or is a foster parent with whom a child is placed;

• Member of a mixed age couple, if the student has reached the qualifying age for State Pension Credit. 

Source: Advice NI – Universal Credit Students and Student Income 

Additional financial help for students in NI

If you are a registered full-time or part-time higher education student in NI, or if you’re doing a postgraduate course at a NI higher education institution, in addition to student loans for fees and maintenance, you can apply for a support fund.   

These funds can provide extra help if you’re in genuine financial hardship and need extra financial support. Your university or college will look at your individual circumstances, but you may, for example, be able to get help: 

• for course or living costs that are not already covered by other grants – these could be, for example, everyday living costs, childcare costs or support over the summer vacation if you have no one else to turn to 
• for emergency payments to cover unexpected financial crises or exceptional costs  
• if you are thinking of giving up your course because of financial problems and need financial help to keep studying 

For more see: NI Direct – Support Funds  

ROI students studying in NI, may also be eligible to access the Irish Government’s Fund for Students with Disabilities. See: Higher Education Authority Ireland 

Working in ROI 

If you want to work in the South, you need a Personal Public Service (PPS) number. If you don’t have a number you can: 

• Download the relevant application forms

• Contact your local registration Centre

You will be asked to produce documents proving your identity and residence. The complete list of documents required can be found on the Department of Social Protection web page: PPS Number – How to Apply 

For more see: Border People – Personal Public Service (PPS) Number – Ireland 

Unemployment benefits

Third-level students in ROI (those studying in universities, institutes of technology, and colleges of education) cannot claim Jobseeker’s Allowance or Benefit while they are studying full-time. This disqualification also applies to the summer holiday periods between academic years (unless you are a mature student or are getting a Back to Education Allowance). 

However, once you have finished college permanently you can claim a jobseeker’s payment if you cannot find work. This is also the case if you leave college without finishing your course. You may be able to claim a jobseeker’s payment while you are working on a project or research thesis if you are available for work during this time. Source: citizensinformation.ie  

Additional financial help for students in ROI

In addition to state grants for students (see Border People – Third level education: financial assistance) there are a number of funds available for students in need of additional help while studying in ROI. These include: Student Assistance Fund; Fund for Students with Disabilities; Bursary for Care Experienced Young People. For more information see citizensinformation.ie: Financial supports for students. 

See also:

• Higher Education Authority Ireland: Student Finance
• Border People: Minimum wage in Ireland
• Border People: Minimum wage in Northern Ireland
• Border People: Third level education: financial assistance
• Border People: Third level education: student banking 

Page last updated March 2023

This webpage is for general information purposes only and while we endeavour to keep it up-to-date, errors may occur. It is very important that you check with the relevant body to ensure the information is current and is applicable to your situation.

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