How to transfer universities

Lots of students transfer universities or swap courses every year. So, if you’re not so keen on your current university, you don’t need to stick it out for all 3 years!

Changing universities can be fairly simple, and swapping courses is even easier -  especially if you’re only a few months in. However, transferring to universities is still a huge decision that shouldn’t be taken lightly. Whatever your reasons for feeling unhappy, it’s really important you take the time to research the process and fully understand your motivations.

This blog will give you some useful questions to answer before starting the transfer process and a breakdown of how to transfer courses or universities.

What to do if you’re considering transferring

If you’ve just started having doubts about your university or course, here are some helpful tips to ensure you don’t make any rash decisions.

Talk about it

Try not to keep your worries all to yourself. If university isn’t what you thought it would be like, or you’re struggling emotionally, talk to friends and family about how you feel. Keeping your emotions bottled up will only make things worse.

If you’re not enjoying your course, try talking to your academic advisor or personal tutor. They’ll be able to give you an outsider's perspective on your academic performance compared to other students in your course. Plus, if you’re struggling with the course workload, they might be able to help you manage it better.

Think on it

It's essential not to rush your decision. If you're halfway through a year, why not try sticking it out till the end of the academic year? Most universities don't accept transfers part-way through the year, so waiting will make the transfer process easier.

Spending time thinking about your decision will also give you more time to research and develop a plan of action. And who knows, maybe things will improve over time, and you'll realise you don't need to transfer after all.

Research, research and research

Transferring universities is a big decision, and you must do as much research about the process, and any potential universities, as you did when you first applied. You’ll need to check the entry requirements and if they allow transfers part-way through the year.

It’s also crucial to understand what is motivating your desire to move. Knowing exactly what’s wrong with your current university will help you make the right choice when choosing a new one.

Things to consider before you make your final decision

Here’s a helpful list of all the questions you’ll need answers to before you commit to changing universities or courses.

Why do you want to change universities or courses?

If you’re considering moving to a different university, you must know exactly why you want to move. Whether it’s the size of your classes or your university's location, you need to clearly understand why you want to leave.

If you’re switching courses, you might be required to write down your reasons as part of the switching process.

Which course or university are you considering transferring to?

Before you start the transfer process, it's vital you have some choices lined up. If you're changing courses, consider a new course before speaking to your department or course adviser. It might also be possible for you to switch modules if it's one particular module you're not enjoying.

If you want to transfer universities, ensure you've already researched your new university before starting the transfer process. The transfer process varies from university to university, so you need to make sure you know the process of your chosen university.

Can you transfer part-way through the year?

If you're switching to a similar course, you'll likely be able to switch during the school year. Most universities are more lenient about changing courses in the first term, so this is something to consider if you've recently started university. If you can change course in the middle of the school year, you may still be required to catch up on missed work or assignments, so you don't fall behind.

If you’re changing to the same course at a different university, you might be able to move between semesters, but it’ll usually be easier if you wait until the end of your first year.

Will you be able to transfer credits from your existing course?

If you’re moving to a similar course or the same course at a different university, you may be able to transfer the credits that you’ve already gained.

However, this might not be possible if the course differs from your original course. If this is the case, you'll likely have to repeat your first year all over again. Remember, that'll mean another year of accommodation costs, student loans, and tuition fees. 

How to transfer courses

So, you’ve taken time to think about it, talked it over with your friends, and decided an alternative course is the best option for you.

The first step is to speak to your current academic department about your desire to change to a different course. This should be straightforward if it’s a similar course within the same department and you’re still in your first term of university.

Bear in mind that transferring courses is not an automatic right. You might not be allowed to switch if the course you want to join has too many students, is highly competitive, or you don’t meet the entry requirements.

If it's a very different course from the one you're on now, you might have to re-apply to the course through UCAS. Remember, depending on the course and university, you may not be allowed to transfer credits, so you might need to redo your first year.

How to transfer universities

Changing universities is more complex than switching courses and will likely be a longer and more challenging process.

If you want to transfer universities but study the same or similar course, you might be able to transfer part-way through your first year. However, this depends on if the university allows it. Most universities don’t accept transfers during the school year, but checking with their admissions office doesn't hurt.

Sometimes transferring during the year isn't possible. In this case, your best option would be to finish the year at your existing university if you can. This should mean you're able to transfer directly into the second year. Meaning you'll need to re-apply through UCAS and put 'second year' as your point of entry. 

If you’re planning to move universities and study a completely different course, you’ll likely have to re-apply through UCAS and re-do your first year. This might mean a new UCAS application, a personal statement, and attending an interview. However, check with the university's admissions team first.

Even if you are offered a place to start in the first year, you might still need to finish the academic year at your current university. You might even have to meet some academic conditions, such as achieving a specific grade or percentage.

How UniHomes can help

If you’ve decided to transfer universities, you’ll need to look for student accommodation in your new city. Here’s where UniHomes comes in…

We offer a huge range of student properties in student cities across the UK. Transferring universities can be enormously stressful, and finding a new student house and setting up bills can feel overwhelming. UniHomes makes finding a new student house easy, and every single one of our properties includes all bills! So, that’s one less thing for you to stress about.

Check out our fantastic student properties near your new university to find your dream student house.