If your course is an integrated course, then it is counted as full-time education on an approved course and you will be entitled to en exemption from payment of council tax. (Guess this is about the only saving you make against the modular route).
I also think that I remember having seen posters from the NUS at our FTO whereby you could get some sort of associate membership (might have been a small fee involved - couple of quid) and get a NUS card and attendant benefits. Didn't have much interest in it, so can't be sure of my facts there.
If you go integrated, then as mentioned above, you are considered to be in full-time education and if you get caught claiming dole, it would be a bit of a kick in the nuts for your criminal background check should the airlines call you for interview.