Passing first year

mistyarthur

I am on a course at university but do not want to continue on the course next year, I was wondering if anyone knows whether or not passing the first year will help me in applying for a new course or would it not make any real difference?
I am thinking that I will take next year of anyway and my pass will not be amazingly great either way.
Thanks for any help.

Volcano

Can you change your course?

I know people who have made quite dramatic changes (e.g.from philosophy to computer science). You really should speak with somebody from the university and explain you're situation, if your course leader isn't sympathetic then speak to someone else.

Could you take a year out?

A friend of mine failed their first year but was allowed to stay on and will graduate this summer with a 2:1, so don't fret about year 1 marks.

I'm not sure how UCAS view repeated applications, you can probably check their website. A course switch within your university can be done without reference to UCAS so that may be your best option.

Crispy_Ambulance

Do be aware that if you change your course, it may affect your funding. The regulations are not set yet, but it is possible that some students who transfer courses may become liable for top-up fees.

Please talk to your student advice centre before making a decision. If you leave your course and start again, without transferring, you will come under the new funding system and top-up fees. The funding system for 2006 onwards is complicated and there will be teething problems so get some advice before you do anything.

talksalot81

You also need to ask yourself why you want to drop out and what makes you confident that coming back to another course is such a good idea. I have seen too many students who basically make a career out of trying then dropping different courses. The debt that can be racked up this way is horrendous.

kar

If you pass the first year (even badly) then some of the credits can still count towards another degree even at a different uni. My best friend dropped out after the first year - but two years later started at a different uni on a completely different course and she doesn't have to take some of the courses cos he first year at the other uni counts as some credits. She still has to do three years but the first one is made easier.

kar

Savvy_Sue

All other things being equal - see above for the financial reasons why they might not be! - I would recommend finishing the first year and trying to pass to the best of your ability. Long term, sticking with things you don't like is a good discipline and will probably look a bit better on your cv in the short term. And it might count a bit towards another course.

But if you're desperately unhappy, then your own mental health needs to be taken into account!

mistyarthur

Thanks for all your help.
I'm going to speak to my tutor and see if finishing would help me to switch courses, I know there are a few similar courses that the first year is the same but they are all similar and I don't really think I want to be continuing in the same kind of thing. I did decide to come last minute really and perhaps the course just wasn't the right one (really boring at times).
Anyway I'll see what he has to say tomorrow and thanks again.

BOBEEE13

MISTYARTHUR: If the course you want to join next year is from the same department, then you should have no problem if you pass with an avergae of 40% or above. However if you are wanting to transfer to a different department altogether, then make sure you consult them first. They will tell you how many modules or what avergae you need to transfer, and this will make your transfer a smooth process.

mistyarthur

I'm thinking of changing from a computing degree to a history degree!!! Thats the reason I think they won't really care about what I have done so far because it is not relevant. But I'm not really sure which is why I want to take the year out instead of just 'trying out' the different courses like talksalot said.

Savvy_Sue

mistyarthur wrote:

I did decide to come last minute really and perhaps the course just wasn't the right one (really boring at times).

I think all courses are a bit boring at times ... come to that, so's life after Uni! :rotfl: I've dragged my son (doing computing) into work with me last week to help out with some computer stuff, and he can't believe how boring it is! But someone's got to do it, and he might as well get used to how data looks in the real world, ie not as perfect as he'd like it to be!

starlite_2

ask if you can convert your first year to a diploma..i left my psychology degree having gotten a first for the 1st year exams and coursework, and by topping it up with a short summer school course i got a diploma certificate..
worth doing if your uni can as it's waste of your hard work otherwise.