Changing your course or university
Changing your university course can sometimes become necessary.
Going to university and starting a degree is a large commitment, especially so if you are an international student.
Understandably, people can change their minds for a variety of reasons and above all, you need to be satisfied that the course you’re studying is absolutely what you want to do.
Every year, many students switch from one degree to another, or even to a different university.
Things to consider before changing course
By no means should you be put off if you are sure you want to change course, but you should consider some of the following points to make sure that this is something that you really want to do:
Finances
Will you need to arrange additional financial support, for example will you need to study for a longer period of time than you initially planned?
If you are relying on a study loan, does this cover you adequately for your new course – are the new course fees similar?
Making your current degree more suitable
If you do not enjoy certain modules on your current degree course, investigate whether it is possible to switch these modules or classes to those that better fit your interests.
This may be an easy way to fine tune your degree and avoid extra hassle.
How different is your new choice of course
If you want to study a similar course to your current one, for example if it is in the same university department, it may be straightforward to discuss changing to this course with your tutors.
If your course is completely unrelated to your current degree, you may have to at the very least provide the department with more information about you and why you would like to study a different course.
The work that you have already completed
Depending on how long you have already been studying your current course, you may have completed enough work to have earned university credits.
If you are studying in Europe, these will be in the form of ECTS credits, whereby 60 ECTS credits typically represents 1 year of full-time work.
If your new course is similar enough to your current degree, it may be possible to transfer these credits and reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your new degree. However, if your course is deemed too dissimilar, you may have to begin your new course from year 1.
If you intend to change university
If switching courses means that you also need to change your university, there are further considerations to take into account, such as arranging new accommodation, moving your belongings and finding new roommates.
Your study visa requirements
Most student visas will be granted on the basis of your studying at a certain level of higher education for a specified duration of time.
If you decide that you want to change your course, you must check that your new course will satisfy your study visa requirements. It is also likely that there is a procedure in place whereby you will need to inform and update the relevant visa issuer.
For example, if you are studying in Australia, you can use their VEVO service to check the conditions of your study visa. You can also use their department of home affairs website to inform them that you wish to change courses and/or university, and the website will provide you with the appropriate course of action to take with regards to your study visa.
In Australia, and most other countries, you should not need to apply for a new study visa if you are switching to a course at the same level of study and for the same study duration.
Changing your course before starting
Changing your university course if you haven’t begun your studies is usually more straightforward than if you have begun.
For example, if you are in the UK and you are applying through UCAS, you are permitted to apply to a different course within 14 days of the date that is shown on your UCAS welcome email.
If you decide that you want to change your choice at a later date, you may need to go through the UK clearing service.
In Australia, you will need to discuss your request with your chosen university as it is likely that you will need to apply for a release letter to change your course before starting as an international student.
When can you change your course if you have already started
If you are in the early stages of year 1, for example you have been studying for a few weeks and decided that it is not right for you, it may be possible to have a discussion with your university and move courses with little in the way of disruption.
If you decide later, for example you are a few months into your first semester, then you may have to wait until either the next semester or the next academic year to start proceedings.
In either case, when you decide that a change is what you want, be sure to bring it up with your tutors as soon as possible and let them tell you what the procedure will be from there.
If you are studying in the US, you may have chosen your Major and now decided that it was not the right choice for you. This is also OK, but the sooner that you choose to change your Major, the less disruption it will cause you.
Changing your university
You may have decided that you need to change your environment as well as changing your course, and you want to change your university.
Here are some things to consider if you want to change your university:
The new course
- Is there space left on the course that you want to move to at that university
- Can you transfer credits you have already earned to this course
- Do you meet the entry requirements for the new course
- Can you move seamlessly or will you be required to repeat a year
- Have you discussed your move with the tutors at your new university
Practical considerations
- Are you able to arrange for new accommodation if you are required to
- Are you committed to pay for a certain period of time at your present accommodation
- Do your financial circumstances cover this change if you need to study for a longer period of time or the tuition fees are higher in your new university
You must also consider whether the stipulations of your student visa when changing education providers. In Australia, you must complete six months of your main course before being permitted to transfer to a different university.
Fall back options
Whilst changing university is certainly possible, if you run into too many stumbling blocks, you may find that it is simply easier to complete your academic year in your present course or university.
At this point, you have the option of either applying for a new course or a new university and starting from scratch in your new degree, or requesting to begin in year 2 or 3 on the back of the credits that you have already accumulated.
It is also entirely OK that you decide that university doesn’t fit your circumstances at present. If this is the case, we recommend that you talk to your university.
Your university is well placed to offer advice and support, and it may be that there are solutions that you may not have yet considered, such as switching to part-time study, online study, or graduating with a diploma or certificate rather than a full degree. Perhaps you simply need a break period before commencing studies at a later date.
Final thoughts
When choosing the correct course to study at university, it can sometimes be difficult to predict how much you will enjoy certain aspects, and further down the line you may realise that you would be better served by changing your studies.
Whilst this decision should not be taken lightly, ultimately you are investing your time and money in your future, and the decision where and what you would like to study is yours.
Remember that switching courses does not mean that you have failed, but rather that you have given yourself the chance to succeed in the area that you would like to.
Whether you want to change course or university after a week or after a year, there are always options and the sooner you get the ball rolling by talking to your university, the sooner you will find a solution that fits you.