Taking voluntary->back to college-> JB or JA afterwards?

Hi folks
I am taking voluntary redundancy in September to go to college for one year and do a masters. I have 10 consecutive years stamps built up. As i'll still be paying the mortgage etc during this time the well will be running dry by the time I finish so I'm writing to make sure I have my situation correct re whether I'd be on JB or JA should I be unable to secure work at that point.

From what I can gather I'd be entitled to JB given that it appears that if I claim in say August 2010 then they will check that I have 39 stamps from 'relevant tax year' 2008 (i have the pre-req 104 stamps built up)- can anyone confirm this? I am a bit concerned as I will only have 37 stamps this year, hence the check! I am aware that I wont be able to claim for a few weeks due to the voluntary redundnacy penalty, thats no problem.

Also, can anyone confirm that the fact that I will be going straight from fulltime employment to college and from there (altho hopefully not) to the dole (as opposed ot work straight to dole) doesnt affect my right to claim?

I'm hopeful that none of this will come to pass, but just want to get my facts an figures right well in advance.

Thanks all
Neil

Try not to use the term "dole". It's either JB or JA.
You seem to have the situation sussed.
If you do not obtain work immediately after you finish your course you should apply for your Jobseekers Benefit then.

Is there any way you could get 2 more contributions in the current year, they may be useful in the future

Hi Black Sheep
thanks for taking the time to reply, much appreciated. I will definitely bear that in mind re obtaining the extra stamps. Hopefully I wont need to go down the JB route at all but forewarned is forearmed as they say.

Cheers