Transfer Course

If you are considering a change of course, you must discuss your options with your personal tutor and the admissions tutor for the course to which you would like to change.

How to change course

If you decide to change course:

1. Check you have not missed the transfer deadline (see below).

2. Make sure that you are aware of the potential implications of any course transfer (see below).

3. Discuss your request with your personal tutor and the admissions tutor for the course you want to transfer to.

4. Complete a  change of course form (PDF). Paper copies of this form are available from your department. The form must be signed by both your existing and proposed Heads of Department.
5. Hand the form to the main reception desk in the Fielding Johnson Building (campus map). The Registry can only accept fully completed forms. Forms that are missing essential information or signatures will be returned to you or your department where appropriate.
6. The Student Records Office will notify you of the outcome of your request by email to your University email address. During busy periods there may be a delay in processing change of course requests.

Important information

• Changes of course within a department still require you to complete and submit a change of degree application form. This includes moving between three, four or five year courses.
• Transfers of course after course termination will only be allowed in the most exceptional circumstances.
• Read the additional information if you are considering starting a new course from the first year.

Deadline for changing course

Changes of course are only permitted within the first two weeks of the first semester of an academic year. Requests submitted outside this period will take effect from the start of the next academic year.

The deadline for changing course in the 2012/13 academic year is Friday 12 October 2012.

Financial implications

The potential financial implications of changing course are:

• If your change of course means a longer period of study you will need to cover the additional tuition fees and cost of living.
• If you move to an undergraduate Masters course (e.g. MChem, MEng, MPhys etc) then you will need to pay the standard tuition fee for the additional year.
• If you are on a year abroad or industrial placement you will need to pay half of the standard tuition fee. If you are on the ERASMUS programme then you will not pay tuition fees whilst overseas.
• If you are an overseas (non EU) student on an industrial placement you will need to pay a quarter of the standard tuition fee.
• If you transfer to the first year of a new course then you will need to cover the additional fees and living costs.

We will notify Student Finance England and the Student Loans Company of any changes to your course for SFE/SLC sponsored students. You will still need to apply for funding every year.

Visa implications

If you are an international student with a Tier 4 Student visa and you transfer to a course that is shorter than the course you got permission to stay for, you must email the UK Border Agency to tell them this at migrantreporting@ukba.gsi.gov.uk.

If your course is the same length or longer than the course you got permission to stay for you do not need to tell the UK Border Agency. If your course is longer you will need to make a new application for extra permission to stay to finish your course. You can make this at any time during your current permission to stay, although the UK Border Agency will recommend that you make the application as soon as possible.

You can discuss your immigration concerns with an International Student Advisor.