Swap degree courses?? Help Please!!

djdido2

Hi there

I have completed a year of my degree course but have decided on a different career path. My uni does not offer the course I want to do but I have found one that does. Would I have to start from scratch or can I change courses??? Any help would be really appreciated.

Thanks

Dido x

MrsManda

It depends on how different the degrees are and what the new university says about it.
You may be able to transfer your first year credits from your first university to your second but it really is dependent on whether your first year provides you with a suitable background for the new degree.
You need to speak to the admissions tutor of the course you want to transfer to to see if they'll let you start in the 2nd year.

You will still get funding for the whole degree if you have to start from stratch as you get an extra year to cover false starts.

La-Cara

as MrsManda said, it depends how relevant your current course is compared to the new one as to whether you can go straight into second year. For example, i did business studies in first year at one uni, then transferred directly into second year of events management at another. However, as i hadn't previously studied events, I had to take a first year introductory module as well in the first semester

olly300

First and most important step is to talk to the uni you want to move to.

This is because lots of people do change degree courses and have always done. I have both friends and family who have done so in the past. One I remember moved from a uni in the North West to a uni in the South East.

Volcano

Yep, it can be done. I nearly did it (I was accepted at another uni) and as others have said, is entirely down to the uni you wish to move to. Be aware that they might want to know how your grades are from your existing uni so may ask for a reference to ensure you are up to par with your work.

ULTiMATE_2

It's possible and isn't all that hard to do.

First, talk to someone at the university you wish to attend. They'll either take you on informally or ask you to fill out a UCAS form with the rest of the new starters. You'll then have to talk to your current university about your plans so that they are aware that you may be leaving. DO NOT TELL THEM TO REMOVE YOU UNTIL YOU GET AN OFFER FROM YOUR NEW UNI! Once you've applied and you're given an offer get in contact with both universities and your current one will release you, leaving you free to accept the offer from your new uni.

hbloomers

I swapped courses this year actually. I moved from Birmingham to Queens in Belfast. First thing I did was speak to the admissions officer in the new university asking if a transfer would be possible. I then set up a meeting with my personal tutor in Birmingham, discussed it with him and got some advice. Queen's sent me application forms, filled those in, sent off a reference and waited for a reply. If they can make an offer, you'll have to apply through UCAS again, but as you'll only be putting one course on the form, it'll only cost £7 instead of the usual £15.

It is simple enough to do, however it can take universities a lot of time to actually send out forms etc as there is quite a bit of red tape to go through. If you're serious about it, start now and tell them you wish to be admitted in the 09/10 academic year. I'd also suggest emailing your personal tutor if you have one, telling them what's happening as you may need a reference.

Hope that helps!