i belive that the ATPL should be treated the same as CIMA and other Chartered course
Chartered Accountant trainees (and I believe it's the same for Chartered Management Accountants (CIMA)) do their training through employer sponsorship and hence are employed. I was never aware of any trainee getting student discount cards or NUS membership.
The ATPL is treated the same as ACA, CIMA, ACCA and other professional organisations in that they are classed as NVQ5 and hence grants are not available!
As for signing on unemployed? No, it would be fraudulent as you are not available for work. However, try to make sure that you have employment for the last week of the tax year in order to get your personal tax allowance instantly through PAYE rather than having to fill in a tax return!
Cheers
Whirls