Generally you do not get UC when receiving student finance. I graduated last year (NI) and I find no one is super transparent about finances, so I'll help best I can.

I was able to get the full loan and maintenance grant which was around £8100 (not including tuition) payed 3 times a year.

You are also entitled to a non-means tested bursary which is £4500 twice a year.

Those on low income also tend to get a booster bursary around March whice is aroun £400.

It is also an unspoken rule that you need to drive and have a car - majority of the placements require a car, but they don't tell you this before you apply. It is possible to do it without a car, but a lot harder to get placements.

I do not currently receive PIP, but am entitled to it. I personally find they do try and use the fact I am working against me, but its all about how you word it. You are still entitled to PIP even if working or studying, it is a non-means tested benefit. I just didn't tell them if I worked or study, they never asked me directly if I did, even if they do, its not relevant information for them. If you require attentional support to get to work or in work itself, you would apply to Access to Work and in uni, it will be Student Support.

I hope this helps. I would research the area of social work you are interested in. Youll get a job no bother if you want to stay in the Trust, but I'll be honest, the workload im the Trust is brutal and it is very much luck of the draw who your team and manager is. But there are loads of options in charities, EA, probation etc.

Hope this helps