Once you get into a university, can you change courses in the first weeks?

Original post by potassiumnitrate

Say I go to a university for a course I applied to, but hate it in the first 2 weeks, if I fulfil the entry requirements for another similar course e.g. changing from physics to engineering, or chemistry to physics, will they let you change it?

Is this matter quite uni specific or do most let you?

If not would you just have to leave?

I've heard people can change courses after the first year too, is that allowed depending on your first year results/

If they have enough space, and you fulfil the requirements then yeah. You'll have to inform your tutor first.

Reply 2

OP

Original post by kkboyk

If they have enough space, and you fulfil the requirements then yeah. You'll have to inform your tutor first.

Thanks and by fufilling the requirements do you mean only A levels right?

What I mean is do you think would they have to consider you like a UCAS applicant with a statement, or work experience or look at your reference again? Or is it simply 'you got the grades, you can move'?

Reply 3

XueYing

Original post by potassiumnitrate

Thanks and by fufilling the requirements do you mean only A levels right?

What I mean is do you think would they have to consider you like a UCAS applicant with a statement, or work experience or look at your reference again? Or is it simply 'you got the grades, you can move'?

well it depends really. generally if the subjects are close then it would only be a matter of getting the departments approval - providing you have the grades (most unis ucas points and minimum grade thresholds in particular subjects). If its like moving from maths to film studies then it would be more complicated.Also, you go through a process of enrolment so theres a chance you might have to re-enrol no need to fill in ucas applicant/personal statement yada yada

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 4

Doones

Original post by potassiumnitrate

Thanks and by fufilling the requirements do you mean only A levels right?

What I mean is do you think would they have to consider you like a UCAS applicant with a statement, or work experience or look at your reference again? Or is it simply 'you got the grades, you can move'?

They don't have to allow you to change, but if they have space it's often quite possible. They know that you are likely to drop out otherwise

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Reply 5

OP

Original post by XueYing

well it depends really. generally if the subjects are close then it would only be a matter of getting the departments approval - providing you have the grades (most unis ucas points and minimum grade thresholds in particular subjects). If its like moving from maths to film studies then it would be more complicated.Also, you go through a process of enrolment so theres a chance you might have to re-enrol no need to fill in ucas applicant/personal statement yada yada

Thank you, I'm just unsure about my course and want to make sure that I can still change if I really feel the need to later on.

Reply 6

OP

Original post by jneill

They don't have to allow you to change, but if they have space it's often quite possible. They know that you are likely to drop out otherwise

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Thank you for your reply, I didnt know you commented outside the Cambridge applicants thread lol

Reply 7

Doones

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by potassiumnitrate

Thank you for your reply, I didnt know you commented outside the Cambridge applicants thread lol

In exceptional circumstances :smile:

Reply 8

Artjen

14

Some similar courses share a first year - specifically I'm thinking of Computing subjects at Nott Trent.

Reply 9

holland405123

1

As above really. It is dependant on each university, some actively encourage it where as some only offer on certain situations.

The best time to transfer courses is at the start of the year, so if you really are thinking about changing course I'd recommend seeking out your options as soon as possible.

If you meet the requirements for the new course then your already half way there!

Reply 10

PQ

Original post by potassiumnitrate

Thank you, I'm just unsure about my course and want to make sure that I can still change if I really feel the need to later on.

Your best bet is to contact your universities and ask them this question directly.

If they're very huffy and tell you it isn't going to happen then at least you go in with your eyes open. If they're clear that they'll be helpful then again you know what you're getting into (ask for the name and job title of the person you speak to and write it down - that way if they tell you the wrong information you can kick up a stink :wink:

). In the mean time use your summer after exams to do more research into what you'll be studying - it's much easier to swap courses BEFORE results day and/or before enrolment than it will be later on into the course.

Worst case scenario is that you end up realising too late in the year that you want to swap and so have to restart first year - in that case you might want to apply elsewhere via UCAS or your university might handle it internally if you don't want to chance universities.

Funding wise everyone gets one "gift" year to allow for false starts or having to resit a year - so if you do need to start again then that's fine.

Reply 11

jonathanemptage

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post by potassiumnitrate

Say I go to a university for a course I applied to, but hate it in the first 2 weeks, if I fulfil the entry requirements for another similar course e.g. changing from physics to engineering, or chemistry to physics, will they let you change it?

Is this matter quite uni specific or do most let you?

If not would you just have to leave?

I've heard people can change courses after the first year too, is that allowed depending on your first year results/

in short yes in the first 6 weeks if after first year you most likely can switch but you might have to start from the first year of the new course although some units might be transferable.

Reply 12

PQ

Can people please stop making out that this is simple or straightforward - it varies MASSIVELY between universities and courses (and for some international students it isn't allowed at all due to visa restrictions from UKVI). https://www.ucl.ac.uk/current-students/services_2/RS_accordian/change_of_degree_programme is an example of a university that only allows *some* flexibility for the first 2-4 weeks of term for example, http://www.lse.ac.uk/intranet/students/registrationTimetablesAssessment/Registration/Changes/Degree-Transfer-Conditions.pdf is a list of courses within LSE that in many cases will accept transfers under no circumstances, transfers onto courses with DBS or occupational health requirements are likely to be impossible etc etc etc)

One size does NOT fit all.

Changing TO Physics or chemistry will probably be ok in most cases (because physics and chem are undersubscribed at *most* universities), changing to mech eng or another oversubscribed engineering course with practical lab limitations is riskier (depending on the university).

Changing before the start of a course is more likely (but still risky). Applying for an unpopular/less popular course with the intention to switch to something more competitive is NEVER successful (and is something universities will watch out for and stomp on very firmly).

(edited 7 years ago)

Reply 13

999tigger

19

Original post by potassiumnitrate

Thank you, I'm just unsure about my course and want to make sure that I can still change if I really feel the need to later on.

They can only give you a space if they have free slots.Many of the courses will be full (covered above). As you have doubts, then what you should know is that universities will have a small period after enrolment (normally 14 days) within which you cna leave and they wont charge fees. Hassle but not as much as losing a years funding and incurring several thousand £ in debt for the firts term.

You can also look at clearing. Not really a good strategy imo to go without a good degree of confidence its the course you want to do.

Reply 14

username1230881

18

Original post by potassiumnitrate

Say I go to a university for a course I applied to, but hate it in the first 2 weeks, if I fulfil the entry requirements for another similar course e.g. changing from physics to engineering, or chemistry to physics, will they let you change it?

Is this matter quite uni specific or do most let you?

If not would you just have to leave?

I've heard people can change courses after the first year too, is that allowed depending on your first year results/

It usually is possible - I changed from Law to Politics in the second week, and my university's policy is to allow transfers within the first four weeks; after that, a leave of absence until the next September would probably be required.

You'd have to meet the entry requirements for the new course, but otherwise the transfer would likely be fairly painless. I spoke to my law personal tutor on the Thursday morning; an hour later I had an email from the politics department welcoming me. I didn't have to do a personal statement or anything, but you may be required to demonstrate your dedication to the new course somehow, depending on your university's policies. The only difficult part for me was catching up with all the Politics work that I'd missed; even though it was only the second week, there was a lot, and I had to agree to waive any extenuating circumstances claims regarding my transfer.

Essentially, yes, it's possible, and it shouldn't be difficult, providing your new department has spaces and would've most likely accepted you if you'd applied to them in the first place. Just make sure it's the right choice for you, and always express your concerns to your personal tutor in your original department, as there may be a better solution than changing course.

Reply 15

dontcallmesammy

It would depend entirely on the University. What one may allow, another may not. You're best off speaking to someone in the faculty.

Reply 16

Toasticide

17

if you fulfil the requirements for both i know most uni's let you go between Bsc and MMath for mathematics. :smile:

Reply 17

OP

Original post by PQ

Your best bet is to contact your universities and ask them this question directly.

If they're very huffy and tell you it isn't going to happen then at least you go in with your eyes open. If they're clear that they'll be helpful then again you know what you're getting into (ask for the name and job title of the person you speak to and write it down - that way if they tell you the wrong information you can kick up a stink :wink:

). In the mean time use your summer after exams to do more research into what you'll be studying - it's much easier to swap courses BEFORE results day and/or before enrolment than it will be later on into the course.

Worst case scenario is that you end up realising too late in the year that you want to swap and so have to restart first year - in that case you might want to apply elsewhere via UCAS or your university might handle it internally if you don't want to chance universities.

Funding wise everyone gets one "gift" year to allow for false starts or having to resit a year - so if you do need to start again then that's fine.

Thank you, yeah I guessed it would depend a lot on the university. I'm thinking of going to Durham and I'll definitely read more into the subject over the summer. I really dont want to redo a first year so chances are I'll stick to whatever I go with by October.

Reply 18

OP