After all the excitement of starting university has passed, you may realise that the course you are studying, or the University you are attending is not the right one for you.
The issues you may be experiencing may be because it is taking you time to adjust to university life. Before you make any decisions, speak with the dedicated student support team at the University. They will listen and give you practical advice on how to cope with feelings of isolation, homesickness, stress and anxiety.
If after you have received this support you still want to change your course or place of study, before making any changes to your course and / or university you must seek approval from the Department of Education. Once approval has been granted by the Department of Education you may then make the necessary changes.
How to change your course at the same University:
- Make sure that you are 100% committed to the course you wish to change to.
- Research alternative courses carefully, reading module descriptions and whether this supports your long-term plans. You may need certain grades or A Levels in a specific subject, therefore, make sure you meet the entry requirements for the course you want to change to.
- Speak to your course tutor. Explain the reasons why you want to change Course and they will help start the transfer process with the University’s support service.
How to transfer to a new university during your first year:
- Research alternative courses carefully, reading module descriptions and whether this supports your long-term plans.
- Contact the Admissions team of the University you would like to transfer to. When accepting transfers, each university has a different policy. Some will accept in-year transfers, although they may have a deadline usually end of the first term.
- Speak to your course tutor. Explain the reasons why you want to change University and they will help you start the transfer process. The earlier you begin the transfer process the better.
How to transfer to a new university at the end of your first or second year to complete the same course:
- Research and find out what the policy is at the university you wish to transfer to.
- Check the university’s transfer deadline. When accepting transfers, each university has a different policy. You may be asked to apply through the UCAS application process at Year 2 or Year 3 entry.
- If your UCAS application is successful, you will be able to transfer your credits to your new University.
How to transfer to a new university at the end of your first year to complete a different course:
- Research alternative courses carefully, reading module descriptions and whether this supports your long-term plans.
- Apply through UCAS, Year 1 entry.
- If your UCAS application is successful, you must inform the DoE.
- Before a new contract is issued, you will need to either return all funds afforded to you for the period of study which you completed, or self-fund your Year 1 studies of your new course.
- Once you have successfully completed Year 1 of your new course, HMGoG will fund the rest of your studies, subject to you passing each academic year.
Before starting the new course or University, you must provide the Department of Education with an official letter from your current university confirming the changes and that no further tuition fees will be charged for that academic year.
In all cases, your initial contract will be amended and you will be required to sign an Amendment of Contract. Please note that any changes that you make to your course or place of study must NOT result in you being required to study for a period longer than 3 years.
If, upon successfully completing your first year of studies, you decide that you do not wish to continue with your studies, you must inform the DoE. In this case, you will not be liable to reimburse HMGoG for the funds afforded to you.