How To Change Course At University: Everything You Need To Know

Deciding what you want to study at university can be tough. You might be torn between following your passions or pursuing something that will land you a well-paid job, and sometimes the wrong decision can be made in the process. 

But before you have a mini meltdown over applying for the wrong university course, it’s worth noting that you will more than likely be able to change course at university!

Whether you’re in your first year of uni or you haven’t started yet but you’ve received offers for a specific course, we’re here to help with our top tips on how to change course at university…

Changing course at uni 

It may seem daunting but it’s important to remember that you’re not the first nor will you be the last student to switch university courses. 

Most universities take into account that some students will likely want to change courses for a variety of reasons, whether that’s finding the course content differs from your expectations, it’s not suited to your learning style, or you simply made the wrong choice and have no desire to study the subject you applied for. 

If you have your heart set on changing courses, there are a number of steps you can take to switch to the ideal course for you, but first you should consider whether there is anything that can be done to make your current course more enjoyable. 

Struggling with workload

If the reason you want to change courses is due to struggling with workload, it’s worth reaching out to your tutors or head of department for help with managing this.

The jump from A Levels to university can be a big shock to the system, with far more independent study required. You may feel alone, but many students struggle to adjust at first - this doesn’t necessarily mean you need to switch courses. 

Disliking a specific module

If it’s just one or two modules that are making you doubt that you’re studying the right course, it’s definitely a good idea to try switching modules before changing courses. It’s typically much easier and quicker to do this, and it might just be that the modules you initially signed up for aren’t for you. 

Many universities have a specific timeframe in which students can change modules online, so keep an eye out or enquire about this ASAP. 

Research a suitable course for you 

If you’re still set on changing courses at university, you’ll want to make sure the course you switch to is the right one for you. 

Questions you may want to ask yourself when considering your new course are:

• Why do I want to study this course; does it align with my current skills and future goals?

• Is the course highly competitive? If so, do I meet the entry requirements?

• What would I prefer about this course that I don’t like about my current course?

Can I change my university course before starting?

If you haven’t yet started university but you’ve already applied and/or received offers to study on a specific course, you will have to contact your chosen universities to enquire about switching courses. 

Whether you will be offered a place on the new course will depend on how competitive it is, whether you meet the entry requirements (or are predicted to), and whether the course is expected to be at capacity or not.

If accepted, your choices will automatically update to reflect this as your chosen universities will notify UCAS of the changes. 

Can I change my university course during first year?

If you’re in your first year of university, the earlier you decide to change courses the better. 

Generally speaking, universities are more open to accommodating course changes within the first term - or more specifically within the first few weeks. After this point, it can be more difficult to change courses. 

How easy it is to change courses at uni will also depend on the type of course you wish to switch to; if you want to transfer to a course in the same department, this tends to be easier than switching to a completely different discipline. 

As mentioned above, your eligibility to switch to the new course will depend on factors such as whether there are any available spaces on the course, whether you meet the entry requirements, and whether your department agrees to you transferring. 

It’s extremely rare that you’d be able to transfer to a course as competitive as Medicine and the likes, so don’t be tempted to try this - universities are very aware of this trick! 

How to change university course 

Assuming you’re in your first year of uni, there are a few steps you’ll need to take when changing courses. The first is consulting your academic advisor or head of department to discuss your decision to change courses. 

You will then probably have to talk to your university’s Student Services, as the process will vary depending on where you are studying. 

Here, you’ll receive advice and guidance on how to change course at university, as well as being directed to the right people and departments. 

Usually, you’ll be asked to complete a form outlining which course you would like to switch to and why; this will be submitted to both your current course’s department and the department of the course you’re hoping to transfer to. 

Can I change my course in second year?

The further into your degree you are, the more difficult it is to change courses. 

However, in some circumstances you may be able to transfer directly into the second or third year of the course you wish to change to if your current course has similar content. If the degree is entirely different though, this will prove challenging and you will likely have to restart the year. 

If you’re looking to switch to a completely different course and you’ve already completed the first year of your current course, you will have to apply through UCAS in the same way that other prospective students would. If you submit your application after the deadline for the next academic year’s intake (usually January of that year), your application will be processed as a late submission. 

Reach out to your university’s Student Services for further advice on this. 

How does changing course affect student finance 

Changing university courses may impact your student loan, and for this reason you will have to alert them immediately of any changes to your circumstances. 

This is crucial as your loan entitlement may change depending on your course, particularly if it is longer or shorter than your current course. 

If you switch courses at the end of the academic year, you will have to enquire about receiving funding for an additional year, so it’s important that you get in touch with Student Finance as soon as possible. 

Unfortunately, if you decide to change courses whilst you’re in your third term, you will be made to pay back 100% of your tuition fees for that year. If you leave before your third term, you will only have to repay a percentage of your tuition fees for that year. 

If you change courses by the end of your first term, you will be made to repay around 25% of the annual tuition fees. 

How do I transfer to a different university 

If you’re unhappy with both your course and your current university choice, it may be possible to transfer to a new university without having to restart the year. 

If you're applying to study a similar course at a different institution, you may be able to start the course in second or third year depending on your current course content and how similar it is to the new course.

This is sometimes referred to as 'advanced standing' and means you won't have to restart your first year.

It does depend on course capacity however and whether you meet the requirements. There is no guarantee that you'll be able to transfer straight to the second or third year of a course at a new institution, even if it's extremely similar to your current course. You may instead be made an offer to start in the first year.  To apply to study on a new course at a different university, you should contact the university you're interested in joining to discover whether they accept transfers. You may then need to reapply through UCAS.

Save money as a student with TOTUM

No matter what you decide to do, make sure to save as much money as possible during your time at university and beyond with TOTUM.

With your TOTUM student discount, you can make huge savings on everything from travel and fashion to tech and essentials.

And we're also here to help with our guides to student living, from energy-saving tips for students to the best healthy student budget meals.

Check out more of our guides here:

• HOW TO SAVE UP TO £85 ON YOUR MONTHLY BILLS AND ESSENTIALS WITH TOTUM

• LOAN DROP 2023: HOW TO MAKE YOUR NEXT STUDENT LOAN PAYMENT GO FURTHER

• HIGHEST PAYING GRADUATE SCHEMES IN THE UK 2023

• DO STUDENTS PAY FOR PRESCRIPTIONS?

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