University Transfer FAQ

They'll never be 100% the same, but the 'receiving' uni needs to be satisfied that you have covered much the same ground as their own undergrads, otherwise you may not be able to keep up when you join in the second year.

It's really for the uni concerned to decide. You'll need to get in touch with them and find out what their essential requirements are - they may ask to see a copy of the curriculum for your current course.

Thank you.

Do you think I'd better off speaking to the admissions tutor or the head of the programme that I wish to transfer to?

Super long, sorry!

I'm looking to transfer (although I don't mind starting from year 1 next year if that's the case) from my current uni - I'm a first year and in my third week.
Basically, I got into my insurance choice (Liverpool) and I'm really unsatisfied with the course and just everything really. I'm currently studying Evolutionary Anthropology and everywhere else I applied was for Archaeology & Anthropology - back when I was doing my UCAS application I was heavily advised to apply for EvAnth as it was apparently very similar to Arch & Anth... it's not. I've also come to realise from my Intro to Archaeology lectures that I don't care much for it in practice and I'm now thinking of switching to straight Anthropology.
There are some aspects of the course I enjoy and I've made quite a few friends here so that's not a problem, but I find that everyday I hate it more and more and know that I would ultimately be happy elsewhere.

I got very good A level grades imo (A* A B) so it's not an issue of me meeting the grade requirements at the universities that I am currently looking into.
The only reason that I'm at Liverpool (and it was my fave of my two other offers) is because I did not get into my firm (Oxford) and I feel that if I had not gotten an offer from Ox then I would've put UCL as my firm; I would've put UCL as my insurance with Ox as firm but as their grade requirements are really similar to Ox (they ask for AAB, OX for AAA) I didn't want to edge myself of getting a university place just in case I really messed up in my exams. Obviously I didn't and I really regret it! I also wasn't informed of Adjustment on results day so I really feel like I've kinda been put out if that makes sense.

Basically my question is should I mention the A level/Ox/firm-insurance scenario when enquiring into other universities or just omit it completely? I spoke to an adviser at my uni today and they didn't really seem to know if I should or not.

Thank you!

You need to decide whether to drop out now and take a gap year or carry on and complete this first year.

First of all, I'd investigate the financial implications of either route. Will you have to pay tuition fees anyway, and what about your accommodation?

When you are talking to other unis, by all means tell them what grades you got, but I certainly would not advise explaining that you missed your Oxford offer. If you really don't like the course content at Liverpool, you might want to think through what it is you are really looking for instead. That's a much more positive approach to present to an admissions tutor.

Essentially, you need to find out what the compatibility is between your current course and any one you might think of applying to for year 2 entry. If there isn't enough compatibility (which might well be the case), then it would be worth finding out whether Liverpool would award you a Cert HE for completing their first year successfully. If the finances don't stack up for dropping out (ie you will lose a lot of money with nothing to show for it) then that would be a factor in favour of sticking with it while reapplying through UCAS. By the way, you should be able to apply for a mix of Year 1 and Year 2 starts - just make sure you've entered this correctly against the individual choices. So, if uni A says 'we'd be happy to consider you for a fresh start, but you wouldn't be eligible to transfer into year 2' but uni B says 'yes, you could transfer into our year 2' you can apply to both.

From a student finance perspective, you are allowed one 'false start' so you should get full funding for a three year degree.

This has been really helpful, thank you!

What month should i start contacting unis to show my interest in a transfer?

So I'm studying law at QMUL but I've realised I don't actually like studying most of it apart from 2 modules. Consequently, I can't stop thinking about history and recently looked at the history information for Kings. Yeah I'm a month into my course and I just really want to study history there now. What are the chances of transferring?

As far as I am aware, in-year transfers are not possible. Your choice would be either to do your best in your first year where you are, and apply to transfer next September/October (which may not be successful as the courses need to be compatible), or drop out and reapply to start again in your first year.

Only they can tell you this.

Can you guys please answer my question (which is in the post above this)?

SOMEONE GIVE ME A VALID REASON TO TRANSFER TO A DIFFERENT UNIVERSITY (first year entry) FOR THE SAME COURSE (Law).

My real reason is to upgrade because the profession I want to go into cares about University reputation.

I have the correct grades (or will do) which are A*A*A for A Level and good GCSEs.

I just need a valid reason.

Any particular reason why we should? As I'm sure you know, writing in upper case comes across as shouting. Most of us don't like being shouted at, much. You might also like to consider how the post in which you quoted me and Carnationlilyrose comes across.

I assume you mean you want us to suggest some explanation for you to include in your PS, as to why you don't plan to continue with the course you are currently doing, rather than admit you are chasing the prestige?

I'm sure you'll come up with something.

I wasn't shouting. I'm sorry if I offended you.

Instead of continuing into second year, studying Law at X university, I would like to study Law (first year) at Y university.
I have to 'chase the prestige' if I want to have the career I want because I want to go into investment banking. They don't even care what degree you do as long as you have the minimum 2:1 and do activities which demonstrate your interest in finance IF you go to the top 6 Unis.

You don't need to help me. After some hours on the internet I found someone else's transfer story which I will use.

Goodbye, have a nice day.

Really? What unis want to know is about you, not someone else. Making up reasons to move unis is not recommended.

Investment bankers look for bright people wherever they are to be found. There may be a predominance of graduates from top-ranked universities in their intake, but they do not exclude anyone simply on the basis of which university they went to. IB firms may not turn up on the milk round at your current university, but that doesn't mean you can't investigate their schemes independently and apply if you choose.

I thought that too but more and more research discourages me about where I will study (even though it isn't that bad) and the more people I talk to the more worried I get about my university because apparently if I don't attend one of the top 6 unis then I am hugely disadvantaged.

I needed a reason to transfer to a different university because when the unis I apply to transfer to ask me why I want to move I need so say something convincing. I'm sorry if I came across rude.

Posted on the last page about dropping out and applying for 2015 entry and I'm definitely going to do it.
I'm meeting with my academic tutor this week to discuss my situation and I've researched all the financial implications of dropping out etc.

However, when it comes to my personal statement I know that it's probably advisable for me to mention my current degree course but how exactly would I word this (especially considering that I've been here for only a month).
Secondly, references. I'm not really sure if my current academic advisor at uni will be able to give me an apt reference as I've only ever met him once and, again, I've been here less than a month. My old tutor from college is happy to supply one for me and as I also have some mitigating circumstances regarding my educational background he is probably more suitable for a reference.

Thanks!