Transferring Universities Or Changing Courses? Here’s What You Need To Know

Not happy at your current university? That’s totally okay. We’ll show you how to transfer universities if that’s what you’re after.

Starting university is a huge achievement that’s also super overwhelming at times. Our 2024 Freshers report revealed that 52.9% of you are anxious about living with strangers. So it’s no surprise to hear that away from home, friends, and family, it can take time to adjust and settle into your new life. 

When last covered, HESA reported that just over 5% of students in the UK don’t make it past their first year of studies. Sometimes you might think that uni life isn’t for you – but it could also be worth thinking about whether you’re on the right course, or even the right university. So this guide is full of tips on how to transfer universities or change your course, with advice from the experts to explain the process. 

So let’s dive in.

Last updated: 17th September 2024

In this article:

• How to transfer universities and what to think about
• Can I transfer from one university to another after my first year?
• Transferring universities during your second or third year
• How to transfer to a different course at the same uni
• How will it affect my student finance?
• Transferring course credits
• Is it worth transferring universities?

How to transfer universities

When that first year high starts to settle and the Freshers daze fades away, you may realise that actually, you can’t stand your current course and/or your university.

You’re not alone and it’s quite common. Transferring unis isn’t uncommon, and we’ll dive into the whats, hows and whys.

What to think about when transferring universities

Unfortunately it’s not as straightforward as just dropping an email and heading to your new campus. Transferring universities isn’t hugely uncommon but there’s definitely some things to think about before you take the plunge. We spoke to Helen Mercado, Head of Admissions at the University of Derby about the transferring process and what to expect.

Helen suggests firstly that she would “recommend pausing and taking a few deep breaths. It is okay to feel how you are feeling and there are lots of options available. Many people change their mind about the course they have chosen at different points of their journey. Remember that it is normal and there is nothing to be embarrassed about. This is your future, and it is important that you make the right choice for you.

“The first people I would talk to are your family and friends or people that know you and you feel comfortable speaking to. Talking your situation though with someone might help to bring some clarity around what you want to do going forwards.”

Why do you want to transfer universities?

There are tons of reasons why students change their minds after the first year (or even part way through the second and third), and want to transfer universities. These can include:

• Not liking the course –  maybe you thought there would be more lab time, or the way the course is taught isn’t what you were expecting. Or tbh, maybe you realised that your creative writing was more a personal hobby than an academic achievement. Helen adds, “it can be difficult to know if a course is really the right one until you start studying, especially if it is a subject you have not studied before”.
• You’re struggling to make friends – our Freshers report revealed that 64.4% of you are nervous to make new friends, and sometimes it can take some time to find your people. If you’ve tried making new friends at uni but not gelling, then this could be a big reason for moving.
• Your career goals have changed – meeting lots of new people on different courses can make you realise that you may have overestimated your love for biology when really your passion lies in journalism. 
• You’re not adjusting to uni life – every university has a different culture, you’ll meet so many new people, and maybe even live in a new town. But this isn’t always the change you wanted. And that’s not unusual, as Helen reveals, “swapping universities is normally more linked to the location. Some students decide they want to be more local to their family and opt to study closer to home.”

Do your research

There’s a lot to consider before transferring universities, so you’ll need to do some research before you begin the process. This could include:

• Does the university allow transfers altogether?
• Does the university you want to transfer to allow second/third-year entry?
• What documents do you need to provide to explain your situation e.g. taking on primary care?
• Will transferring affect your visa status?
• Are you able to find accommodation around the university if you intend to stay near or on campus?

Helen adds, “if you have decided that your course choice is no longer the right one for you, there may be options both within your current university or other universities, as long as it is not too far into the beginning of term. Most institutions will have a cut-off date for transferring, normally three-to-four weeks into term but it will vary so it is an important question to get answered as soon as you can.”

What are their entry requirements?

Every university has its own set of entry requirements and they differ per course. You need to see if your grades and/or current credits accumulated match them.

If they don’t, do you have sufficient work experience to make up for the shortfall? Is there another university with lower requirements you might consider? Always have an informal discussion with the admissions team at the university you’d like to apply to so you have an idea of what’s possible.

What information will you need to have ready?

Before going through the formal UCAS process again, it’s best to contact the admissions team for the university you wish to transfer to. You’ll need the following information to hand so they can tell you if the course will consider your application:

• Full name
• Details of your current university course
• The course you want to transfer to
• Your academic history, including GCSEs, A levels and current university grades achieved
• The modules you’ve completed and your transcripts

Helen says that the sooner you can send this information the better, “if you are able to send this quickly this will help to move your case forward”. So it’s a good idea to gather everything you need before diving head first into their admissions office!

Will transferring universities affect your student visa?

If you’re an international student, it’s worth checking that your current visa doesn’t expire before your new course ends. You can reach out to your international support or immigration team at your current university to get their help and advice with this. Universities, by law, must report any changes to your Tier 4 visa by informing the UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI).

If it does expire before your new course ends, then you’ll need to apply to extend visa through the UK Home Office. 

Where to get advice

You won’t be the only one thinking about transferring universities during your time there, so there’s lots of support from university teams that you can reach out to. Make a note of all the contacts you’ll need before you start the process. This could include:

• University admission departments (for your current and prospective new uni)
• Course tutors
• Welfare or wellbeing team
• International team if you’re an international student 

Speak to your university (informally)

If you’re sure that transferring to a different university is the right thing for you, then it’s worth reaching out to your university admissions department, or your course tutor, for some advice on how to start things moving. This doesn’t have to be a formal sit down meeting, but it’s a good idea to give your tutors a bit of a heads up of what you’re thinking about doing. You never know, they might be able to offer you some alternative options to transferring.

Can I transfer from one university to another during my first year?

It’s possible to transfer universities in the first year, but as mentioned, you’ll need to do some research, especially on the terms of your new university and course.

Helen adds that if you want to transfer, “you will need to provide as much information as possible about your previous qualifications. This will include GCSE and A levels (or equivalent qualifications) and any transcripts that included credits obtained if you are looking for direct entry on to year two or three.”

In all cases, you’ll need to provide all the modules you’ve studied and the marks received for them, including all the ones you didn’t perform well in.

You’ll also need to manage your expectations, as not all universities will make the switch happen. Some may allow you to join the next term, or you may have to start the course from Year 1 first semester, even if the courses are similar.

Ideally, try your best to complete the first year at your current uni so you can leave with good results and better chances of transferring universities to your preferred one.

Before you start checking how to transfer universities, consider these questions first to make sure the move is the right choice for you:

• Are the sizes of your classes or the university itself okay for you?
• Is the location accommodating and suitable?
• Does the course appeal to you?
• If you’re homesick, is the university closer to home or where you’ll be more comfortable?
• Is university the right choice for you right now? Should you take a gap year instead?

Can I transfer universities after my second or during my third year?

Transferring to universities in the second year isn’t too dissimilar to transferring from the first year. Moving university in the second year to another course for second-year entry is only granted on a case-by-case basis, whether this is due to a change in personal circumstances, such as location, funding, wellbeing or other reasons.

Provided the course is like-for-like, you’ll increase your chance of acceptance, but if the courses are drastically different, you’ll need to start from year one.

This can impact your funding, so it’s worth speaking with student finance to find out how you can fund your future course, especially if starting again.

Before you drop out of your uni after the course ends and wonder how to transfer universities for the start of second year, think about the following:

• What are the requirements at your new university?
• What will you need to do before applying for your new course?
• Is there anything you’ll have to do after you have been accepted?
• Do you need a certain amount of credits to apply and transfer universities?
• Will I be happier here?

How to transfer to a different course at the same university

It might just be the course that’s not a good fit, but you like everything else about the university or college and want to stay. If you’ve actually decided to stay at your current school, here are the steps for transferring to a different course at the same university or college.

Find out if there’s space available on the other course

Be prepared for there not to be. If there isn’t, is there a similar course that does have space? It’s worth not getting your hopes up entirely as some courses have limited space. 

Do you meet the entry requirements?

If so, great! If you don’t, it’s still worth asking the question. Typically, those that have already completed a year of study and achieved good grades each semester have a better chance of acceptance. Even if your previous studies, like A-Levels, fall short.

Are the departments happy for you to make the transfer?

Some students can display resentful and negative feelings towards a course and/or tutor. When making the transfer, you’ll need to be level-headed and convince your current course tutor why the switch will be the best thing for you and your future. This will work in your stead when the discussion is had cross-department.

Find out the soonest transfer date

Depending on the course and year of entry, you may need to retake the year or just the term.

Find out how and when to apply

Always refer to the university’s deadline dates for applications. If you’ve missed it, it could still be possible to apply, just check in with the admissions office.

Typically, it’s best to submit an application at the beginning of what should be your last semester before the transfer. If you see a university talk about rolling submission, this means they’ll continue taking applications until they’ve reached capacity, which could very well work in your favour.

How will transferring universities or changing my course affect my student finance?

Depending on the course you switch to can affect the level of student loans you’re entitled to. Will you be liable for paying some (or all) of the tuition yourself? You’ll need to get in touch with student finance to see what you’ll need to do. If you’re transferring courses at the end of the academic year, you’ll need to see if you can get additional funding for an extra year. 

Get this information as soon as possible from the Student Finance company before making the switch. Find out more of what you need to know about student finance in the UK.

Transferring university course credits

It’s possible to transfer the course credits you’ve accumulated on your current course and transfer them to a new term in the first year or second year of the new course you want to join.

If the course you’re transferring to is different to your current area of study, it may not be possible to transfer your credits and you’ll have to start the course from scratch. This means another year of tuition fees on top of accommodation costs.

Is it worth transferring universities?

This is the ultimate question and it’s totally down to you.

If your career goals have changed, or you’re really unhappy with the lack of support the university offers and the course sucks, then yes, it’s worth transferring universities.

If you study from home, can’t get the funding for a university/course switch or there are options to improve the quality of your current student life, then it’s absolutely worth making it work where you are. Only after you’ve given it a chance and you don’t see an improvement, you should consider the switch.

There are lots of ways to reach out and seek help, and it’s no uncommon for students to transfer universities, so don’t be embarrassed to reach out. Helen notes that it’s important to remember that “this can be a challenging time but there will be lots of people and resources available that will help you make the right choice for you and your future.”

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