i really want to change courses, end of year 1

brians_daughter

Hi all, i doubt anyone can give me a definate answer, so i am just looking for experiences really.

Just finished the 1st year of my combined degree. One of my subjects has had massive changes to the year2 and 3 core modules and I really do not want to continue with it - completely different course content to the one i 'signed up to' IYKWIM? I only did 2 subjects this year as i knew what i wanted to study - only wish to change due to the dramatic course change

I have been told i cannot change to the single subject as i do not have 1 of the core modules that is required to do this, and the electives I chose were out of interest and not core modules for those subjects. So i can, at best do major/minor but the core modules for the subject that has changed dramatically are the ones I have least interest in. The thoughts of having to endure another 2 years of this subject are literally bring me to tears.

Would it be possible/has anyone managed to change to a different course for my minor subject and pick up the y1 core module in y2? (the subject i wish to change to is still within the same 'school' and relates to my current 2 subjects if that is at all relevant)

Obviously I have asked the question in Uni but been given 3 different answers from the 3 different subjects involved ie my current 2 and the 1 i wish to change to. There is a meeting planned next week with the 'quality manager' and course leaders within the department, as many people on my course are wanting to change but are in a position where they cant. The meeting outcome will not be known until this time next week and i have spent all week worrying about it...gggrrr

So, if anyone has any words of wisdom or experiences that they would like to share that wold be great.

Thanks, and sorry for the waffle and typos!

Anna

Oldernotwiser

My experience was many years ago, but may still be relevant.

I decided to study American Literature rather than European in the second year when I hadn't taken the necessary modules in the first year and to enable me to do so I was allowed to take the appropriate exams at the end of the summer holidays at the same time as others were doing resits. Obviously I had to cover the material for the exams independently during the summer holidays and my degree grade wasn't assessed on first year marks.

Probably a different situation from yours but just a thought.

brians_daughter

Thanks ONW, there are no exmas to the subject i wish to move over to or I would gladly take that route.

I feel so in limbo, and its a scary place to be, especially as i gave up my job in order to go to University. Also as an older stundent I think I realise more than some of the younger ones (no offence meant here) the impact this could/will have on such things as employability, further student finance if i choose to re-apply as a 1st year student in order to do the subjects i wish etc

Whats most annoying is the fact that the University changed the course structure, if they hadnt i would be very happy continuing, but i simply have no interest nor inclination to study the new core modules.

Alcmene

Which University are you studying at?

There are options here for you.

You could repeat Year 1 in the subject you wish to study in, claiming exception for the modules you have already passed.

You could move to your major in Year 2, and ask for some make-up work over summer, this would need to be negotiated with the module leader of that particular subject.

You could try and take the 7th module at the same time as your Year 2, this is not normally recommended for core modules as they are classed as pre-requisites and not co-requisites. It is also not recommended as the work load would be higher.

You try try and take the credits you have earned in Year 1, and transfer to another University straight into Year 2 of your choice. This option will be dependant on University and course.

brians_daughter

Thanks for the info.
As it stands, in year 2 i will be sightly off balance anyway module wise as i will end up doing 4 in sem 1 and 2 in sem 2, so a 4 and 3 wouldnt be that bad. I am lucky enough to only need to work term time, so its definately doable.

I have arranged to go and see the module leader on Monday, but it doesnt help that he is very new to the university and new to the role. At least it is looking like i have things to discuss now, and I feel a little more positive

Rosie75

Were students consulted about the changes at the planning stage? If not, you and your peers may have grounds for complaint.

brians_daughter

we were told of the change 'in passing' a few months ago. The conversation went like this 'We will not be having a seminar this week as I and the rest of the course lectures have a meeting regarding a change to the modules for next year'.....

Then when we came to do our progresssion forms the modules that were originally there no longer were available. After speaking to a few people in the groupthe general feeling is that by the start of next year the group will ahve gone from 42 to around 14!!

bestpud

Do you have programme advisors, or similar, at your uni?

At mine they know all there is to know about module options - the course leaders don't know the regulations in depth.

We are able to do a level 1 module in level 2 so people can pick up a core module if they change subjects.

Last resort would be to repeat the year, as already said - you can get funding for four years so should be able to do this I think.

Have you scoured the regulations? They should be online somewhere.

You may wanna make yourself a cuppa first... :cool:

melancholly

have some lecturers left? i can't think of any other reason to make such a huge change in course content, unless the main people teaching some modules have left... speak to someone at your uni about it as soon as you can - regulations will vary depending on where you are, so getting the local info is vital to see what your choices really are.