University Transfer FAQ

Hello.

I noticed that there have recently been a reasonably high volume of questions about this and, as I cannot be bothered to always make the kind of detailed replies that are appropriate, I thought it would be good to make this thread. Feel free to ask questions and make suggestions for improvements and additions because obviously the better this is the more useful it will be. It was written up very rapidly by me a little earlier and is subject to considerable editing at some point.

Feel free to suggest revisions.

Why do people transfer?

People decide to transfer for all manner of reasons; some do it because the course does not match their expectations and some because of personal considerations such as family illness and the need to be closer to home. Others simply don't enjoy themselves where they are or want to "upgrade" to a university they consider to be better. Whatever the reason, many people do transfer each year and it is not as difficult or time consuming as many people assume it to be.

However, it also isn't an easy option and there is absolutely no guarantee that you will be able to transfer at all, let alone to the university you want to transfer to. It is important you are making the decision for the right reasons and, in many instances, taking a gap year is probably a better option if you are already considering a transfer before you have even begun your course. You should not make any plans that are dependent on you definitely being able to make X transfer because you could very well end up disappointed.

However, it should be noted that you can also apply for first year entry to other courses while at university and in that case you may well be in a stronger position than many applicants as you will have university experience, hopefully more knowledge and possibly the expectation of achieving a Certificate/Diploma of Higher Education or certainly the corresponding amount of credits.

First steps and initial correspondence

Initially, before beginning a formal application, you will want to contact the universities you are interested in applying to to ask them whether or not they will formally consider your application. This is because a variety of things may impede your progress before you even begin. Some examples include the fact that not all departments, and indeed universities, accept transfer applicants and that the course you wish to apply for may already be full up which is more likely to be the case if you are applying later in the academic year long after the standard UCAS cycle.

There are two strategies with your initial message and I suggest the latter personally because it may well save you time, gives the impression you have done some research about the process and ultimately has no negative implications that can reasonably be attributed to it.

One: Simply email asking broadly about the prospect of applying for X course. The reply, if positive, will often ask you for some if not all of the things listed below.

Two: Send an email to the admission office, possibly a department specific one, providing the following information:

- Your name and current university course
- The university you are currently studying at
- The course you are interested in transferring to
- Your academic history, specifically your A levels (or equivalent) and the grades you achieved.
- The official module names and descriptions (and codes for their easy reference) of every module you are studying that year and the grades you have achieved so far.

If time is an issue then phoning is likely to get you an answer quicker. Ask for and note the name and job title of the person you speak to and have the above information on hand.

The UCAS Application

If one or more of the universities you contact inform you that they will formally consider your application based on the information you have provided then you will need to submit a UCAS application in much the same way as you have previously. The difference being that, when you enter the course choice, you need to state that it is for entry point 2 (or 3 if that is the case) if that is the year you will be entering at.

You will still need to pay for the processing of the application and the same rules apply as for all other applicants with regards to adding choices, changing choices and how much you have to pay.

You will still receive decisions via track and will still have to accept or decline them as before with regard to what the offer is, although we cover that a little later.

What about a reference?

While some universities will accept a reference from an old school teacher, much the same as your original application, many wont and those that do will still prefer something far more recent. The guidance from university admissions staff is that the reference should be made by somebody who is an academic member of staff at the university you attend and that the more senior their position the better. You of course need to strike a balance between this and ensuring the reference is representative of your abilities and, as such, many people choose to provide a reference from a class teacher rather than a senior lecturer, for example, which may ostensibly seem the better choice.

It is possible that the member of staff will never have had to write such a reference before so you need to be prepared to offer them guidance on this if they request it (although in my experience they will request it from the university they are providing he reference to). Much the same as your original reference it should outline how you are as a student and highlight your academic strengths and why they recommend you for study on your proposed course.

Here is where having a personable demeanor and having made good impressions on staff will serve you well. You should be aware that it can take quite a long time for a reference to be provided, especially if it is being provided by somebody with a great many commitments, so it is important to get the ball rolling on this swiftly.

Your reference it should outline how you are as a student and highlight your academic strengths and why they recommend you for study on your proposed course. You should be aware that it can take quite a long time for a reference to be provided, especially if it is being provided by somebody with a great many commitments, so it is important to get the ball rolling on this swiftly.

You can help them by getting a copy of your previous UCAS reference and letting them know about any mitigating circumstances.

What about a personal statement?

You will need to provide a personal statement with your application and ultimately it has the same requirements as for other applicants. Some people do choose to include information about why they want to make the switch here although this will often be asked by admissions staff and passed on to the relevant person(s) separately.

This is your chance to show them that you have used your year well and to communicate to them that you are the kind of person they want at their university. Different people employ different strategies here with some people targeting the university specifically if they are only applying to one and talking about why the specifics of that course interest them and some simply relay their interests and motivations and treat it the same as other PSs written for the standard UCAS application. There is no right or wrong answer, but the aim remains constant - to present a case for you being worth an offer.

Adding qualifications to UCAS

You need to include all previous qualifications (GCSEs, AS and A levels usually INCLUDING resits) as well as the dates of your university study. If you've attended university long enough to pass any modules then these also need to be added to your application as qualifications.This post explains how to add your university modules/study to your application.

UCAS deadlines for transfer students

For first year entry you will normally need to apply by the standard UCAS deadlines (15 January for most courses, 15 October for Oxbridge/Medicine/Dentistry/Vet courses).

Applying be the early 15 October deadline while at university isn't recommended. You're making it clear to the universities you apply to that you started on a degree course without intending to finish it. If you want to apply for a course/university that has the early deadline then it is FAR better to take a year out of education and do something else. Oxford say "Oxford does accept applications from students who are currently studying at another university. Your full academic record would be taken in to account in your application, including your A-levels (or other equivalent qualifications) and study at university level, so we would need evidence of your performance on your university course." This would only be possible if you applied to enter into Year 1 at Oxford at the start of your Second year elsewhere. Cambridge say "Cambridge Colleges will only, as a matter of principle, consider applications from students enrolled in a degree course at other UK universities in very exceptional circumstances. Any application to study at Cambridge would need strong support from your Course Director or other academic tutor at your current university." - again only possible if you apply at the start of your second year for entry into the start of a course at Cambridge.

Outside of courses with the early deadline most universities would only expect to get applications for transfer close to the January deadline. Applying too early will give the impression that you haven't made much effort to settle in at your current university.
Universities are sympathetic to applications for first year entry after the January deadline (so even if a course is closed to late applications it is often worth getting in touch). The January deadline is not normally applicable to applications for entry into second or third year - but you should aim to apply as early as possible.

What will my offer be contingent upon?

Essentially, anything they want it to be contingent upon.

Firstly, it is often - although not always - the case that your A levels must be at least reasonably similar to those of other students on the proposed course and policy on that will vary. Of course, a slight deficiency here can possibly be mitigated by improved attainment, evidenced in this case by the grades you are achieving at university currently.

Secondly, your offer will almost always (I say almost because, although I've never seen this not be the case, It would be inappropriate for me to say it with complete certainty) be contingent on obtaining a certain grade for the stage of study you are currently at. This may range simply from needing to pass the year, to having to achieve X percentage (often a 2:1) or to having to achieve a certain result in specific modules as well as meeting other conditions such as the aforementioned.

The onus will be on you to provide proof that you meet any conditions asked of you before your offer becomes unconditional and this will include providing A level documents (they often accept scans) and proof of your university results. You should be mindful of any deadlines for proving this poof and be proactive in providing it!

Other actions you will need to take and considerations

Obvious though it may seem, you have to remember to inform student finance about the change of circumstance and, dependent on the specifics, this may involve beginning a new application for finance which, if you are applying late in the day, may mean resubmitting financial information and other documents they require. Of course you should consult them about this but it is definitely something you need to consider.

As well as all of the above it is perfectly possible that you may have a phone conversation with staff at the university you have applied to in which you are asked about the course so you should not enter into the process without having done enough research to be able to provide a cogent, convincing case for why you have made the decision should it be required of you.

Student finance implications

Obvious though it may seem, you have to remember to inform student finance about the change of circumstance and, dependent on the specifics, this may involve beginning a new application for finance which, if you are applying late in the day, may mean resubmitting financial information and other documents they require. Of course you should consult them about this but it is definitely something you need to consider.

If you apply to continue your degree elsewhere without repeating or restarting a year then your finance eligibility should not be affected.
If you apply to restart or repeat a year elsewhere then this will count as using your "gift" year of funding. Everyone gets ONE gift year so any further additional years (if you need to restart again or fail and repeat a year) wouldn't be eligible for a tuition fee loan.
Transferring from a foundation year into year 1 of a degree without a foundation year will normally also count as using up your gift year.

This means it is important that you're confident that the change of university/course is right for you. If you're unsure or in doubt then speak to your current university about suspending your studies for a year - you can suspend your studies AND hold a deferred offer to give yourself time to make the right decision.

Transferring courses within the same university

While this thread is primarily concerned with transferring to a university other than the one you attend, it is common for questions to be asked about this so I thought I should include it. University policy, indeed departmental policy, will vary but generally the following is true. There are two main times you can transfer internally without having to restart the year.

At the beginning of the year

The exact window will vary, as will the availability and ease of the option as some universities offer this as a promulgated matter of course and others simply make provision for it if a student presents a case for it. Generally, your academic attainment prior to university - A Levels etc - will be the determining factor of whether or not the switch is approved but thee may also be a discussion akin to an informal interview with somebody relevant beforehand.

At the end of the year

Most universities (perhaps all) allow this, but you usually have to meet the same module prerequisites with regards to core modules as other students. For example, if you study course X and choose elective module Y which happens to be the only core module for course Z then in most cases you will be allowed to switch. Most common is people switching from joint honors to one of the two constituent subjects alone as they always satisfy the progression prerequisites with regard to module choice.

Practice may vary massively at some universities and it is always better to call or email them and ask in advance of any binding decisions as obviously the advice your university provides is of far more use to you.

(edited 8 years ago)

Reply 380

Pixiefairy

15

you just apply through ucas again? as you would if you were doing your A levels, and fill out your education and right that you're currently studying at uni? :lolwut:

Reply 381

Sadia.Z

You apply through Ucas again seeing as that is the only way the Universities will know that you have applied to them.. Just fill it in like you did last time whilst adding what you want to do now.

Just a suggestion.. Can you not just ring the Uni that you want to transfer to tell them that you want to study there and leave your details with them. Try it and find out where you'l get.

But to be on the safe side and to make sure that you have definitely got your place apply to Ucas :smile:

Reply 382

beamie

There is a whole sticky on University Transfers here: http://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/showthread.php?t=1781424

Reply 383

oxymoronic

19

Original post

by dr.evil

Original post

by dr.evil

anyone ?

see the first post in this thread.

Reply 384

inam_ayaz

Original post

by ex10117

Hi,
I was in a similar situation to you. I was an aerospace engineering student in QMUL, really hated it there for several reasons but i managed to get a 1st overall in my 1st year. Last year I didnt make the A level grades for an offer at UCL (BBB but offer was AAB). My original plan was to drop out and retake A-levels but meaning the 9k fee; the day i got my results from QMUL I called up many unis and most of them didn't accept transfers to 2nd year or even a restart in a new course. Luckily KCL accepted and within a day I made a brand new UCAS application and student finance as well.

KCL - G300 (BSc Computer Science) - Unconditional Decilned
KCL - F300 (BSc Physics) - Unconditional Firmed

Note that for 2011 entry both courses needed AAB offer but I didnt make that pre-requisite so they took into account the most recent set of results being my QMUL transcript. Do not be discouraged as some unis will only take your university results as it is the most recent set. I am happy that I got into Kings and now I am awaiting september to start my course and the start that I always wanted.

I hope that encourages you a bit^^

So does that mean that a person should complete all their first year modules before starting an application through ucas? and will it be a brand new fresh application, because standard deadline is 15th jan.

Reply 385

danger_1000

Original post

by longman240

Thanks for the advice! I do plan to work my ass off and then get in touch with Birmingham and Aston about transferring, although I would have to transfer because of the situation i've explained above, it's more necessity than choice.

Hey longman,

I also want to transfer to aston to do mech eng. Do you know whether they wiil accept transfers and also would we incur the 9000 tuition fee?

Thank you

Reply 386

ByronicHero

OP

20

I apologise for having not updated this, but as it seems nobody reads the OP anyway I don't feel as bad :lol:

Reply 387

icon2007

Hi,

I was just wondering hypothetically say if i was studying law at a uni for example were i needed 300 ucas points and my a level results were ABBC (one of them being in general studies and I am on track for a first in my first year...

Can i switch and go to a university like for example Nottingham university? and re do my degree? as in do first year again?

Nottingham want AAA...I have ABBC but a first from my first year...would they still give me an offer?

can this be said for universities like Warwick, Uni of Leicester etc?

Reply 388

Casshern1456

18

Original post

by icon2007

Hi,

I was just wondering hypothetically say if i was studying law at a uni for example were i needed 300 ucas points and my a level results were ABBC (one of them being in general studies and I am on track for a first in my first year...

Can i switch and go to a university like for example Nottingham university? and re do my degree? as in do first year again?

Nottingham want AAA...I have ABBC but a first from my first year...would they still give me an offer?

can this be said for universities like Warwick, Uni of Leicester etc?

I think you should phone up the uni you want to apply to and ask we don't know for sure, each uni has it's own policy but chances are you will need to meet their AAA requirement as well as obtain a 2:1 for first year if it is in the chosen subject you want to do at the other uni's.

Reply 389

ByronicHero

OP

20

Original post

by icon2007

Hi,

I was just wondering hypothetically say if i was studying law at a uni for example were i needed 300 ucas points and my a level results were ABBC (one of them being in general studies and I am on track for a first in my first year...

Can i switch and go to a university like for example Nottingham university? and re do my degree? as in do first year again?

Nottingham want AAA...I have ABBC but a first from my first year...would they still give me an offer?

can this be said for universities like Warwick, Uni of Leicester etc?

If they give you an offer then yes which isn't unheard of but also isn't very likely.

They may, they may not, they probably won't is probably the most concise response. The above poster is correct in saying that you should talk to the universities you are interested in as policy will vary and frankly they know far better than any of us what they do or do not accept at any given time.

Reply 390

insignificant

16

Original post

by icon2007

Hi,

I was just wondering hypothetically say if i was studying law at a uni for example were i needed 300 ucas points and my a level results were ABBC (one of them being in general studies and I am on track for a first in my first year...

Can i switch and go to a university like for example Nottingham university? and re do my degree? as in do first year again?

Nottingham want AAA...I have ABBC but a first from my first year...would they still give me an offer?

can this be said for universities like Warwick, Uni of Leicester etc?

I do Law, and transferred to another university and I was 40 ucas points short but they still let me in. I can't stress this enough though... MAKE SURE THE COURSES ARE COMPATIBLE! My uni told me they were but 2 weeks before I was due to start I found out they weren't and now I won't have a qualifying degree because they've had to try cobble something together.

Reply 391

Wakasmasood

Original post

by insignificant

I do Law, and transferred to another university and I was 40 ucas points short but they still let me in. I can't stress this enough though... MAKE SURE THE COURSES ARE COMPATIBLE! My uni told me they were but 2 weeks before I was due to start I found out they weren't and now I won't have a qualifying degree because they've had to try cobble something together.[/

What if you started the degree fresh from year one? I'm guessing you transferred into second year?

Reply 392

insignificant

16

[QUOTE="Wakasmasood;35471556"]

Original post

by insignificant

I do Law, and transferred to another university and I was 40 ucas points short but they still let me in. I can't stress this enough though... MAKE SURE THE COURSES ARE COMPATIBLE! My uni told me they were but 2 weeks before I was due to start I found out they weren't and now I won't have a qualifying degree because they've had to try cobble something together.[/

What if you started the degree fresh from year one? I'm guessing you transferred into second year?

Yes I transferred into second year, I suppose it may be different if you are restarting at another uni, as each uni is different you will have to check with them.

Reply 393

longman240

1

Original post

by danger_1000

Hey longman,

I also want to transfer to aston to do mech eng. Do you know whether they wiil accept transfers and also would we incur the 9000 tuition fee?

Thank you

Hey, I think they do afaik, where are you at the moment? For a transfer you would be looking at, at least 65-70% in your first year, before they'll even consider you. Get in touch now, explain that you want to transfer and ask what the procedure is. As far as I am aware, if you do a direct transfer onto the same discipline in the second year, at the moment it seems it won't incur new fees. But get in touch and find out, best of luck!

P.S. I'm not transferring anymore, I'm at DMU and I'd rather stay settled there tbh, I love it!

Reply 394

Coffeefix

So I am currently half way through my second year of a four year music perfromanced based undergraduate degree at a music college. I am not very happy with the course and college for various reasons but I don't want to throw away the opportunity for a degree, especially as I have already invested so much time and effort into it. I was wondering if anyone knows the possibility of transferring the credits from two years study on my B(Mus)Hons course to a university based music degree. Someone told me that it was possible to go straight into the third year of the course, does anyone know if this is possible? I am studying my degree currently in Scotland, would this have an effect on the validity of the credits if I tried to transfer to an English university?

Thanks! :rolleyes:

Reply 395

Atmos

Hey, I plan on leaving the university I'm at and I'm applying to study elsewhere next year in September. Now I'm worried about StudentFinance, what will happen with this years loan given I still have to pay for my accomm and student fees?

Reply 396

Minerva

17

Original post

by Atmos

Hey, I plan on leaving the university I'm at and I'm applying to study elsewhere next year in September. Now I'm worried about StudentFinance, what will happen with this years loan given I still have to pay for my accomm and student fees?

You will need to check with Student Finance on this one -

As you can still apply while attending university, is it worth considering completing the year? Some unis will award a Certificate of Higher Education for a successfully completed first year; even if they don't, the unis you are applying to now may allow good results to enhance your A level grades, so you can aim higher.

Reply 397

Atmos

Original post

by Minerva

You will need to check with Student Finance on this one -

As you can still apply while attending university, is it worth considering completing the year? Some unis will award a Certificate of Higher Education for a successfully completed first year; even if they don't, the unis you are applying to now may allow good results to enhance your A level grades, so you can aim higher.

I wouldn't like to continue this year as I really despise my course which is why I'm asking this question about student finance, if I didn't mind my course too much I would complete it without a second thought.

I'm fine with having a full loan this year and having to pay that back in the future, but what I cant do is have my loan be cut when I still have to pay for the course and accomm.

Reply 398

Minerva

17

Original post

by Atmos

I wouldn't like to continue this year as I really despise my course which is why I'm asking this question about student finance, if I didn't mind my course too much I would complete it without a second thought.

I'm fine with having a full loan this year and having to pay that back in the future, but what I cant do is have my loan be cut when I still have to pay for the course and accomm.

But that's the point - once you withdraw from a course I believe your loan entitlement stops, so you wouldn't get the loan instalments for the rest of the year. Also, if you have received any grants or bursaries you may find that you are required to pay any money you have already received back straight away. That's why you need to discuss the implications of leaving your current course now with Student Finance ASAP, before doing anything final.

Reply 399

Atmos

Original post

by Minerva

But that's the point - once you withdraw from a course I believe your loan entitlement stops, so you wouldn't get the loan instalments for the rest of the year. Also, if you have received any grants or bursaries you may find that you are required to pay any money you have already received back straight away. That's why you need to discuss the implications of leaving your current course now with Student Finance ASAP, before doing anything final.

Ok, I'll talk to Student Finance soon then, thanks.

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