Changing university course: How to change course at university

This isn’t an impulsive decision anyone should make after getting disappointing coursework results or having an awkward seminar.

Take a moment to think whether your struggles with your course have to do with the subject itself, or if you’re just getting burnt out and need a break.

The best way to figure this out is by exploring other options. Remember, Google and YouTube are your friends.

Check course outlines on university pages and see if you can find any students studying different subjects who have blogged about their day.

If something does catch your eye, the first thing you need to do is see if you’d enjoy the realities of being on the course.

Find out whether you can sit in on a class or seminar on a different course that interests you. Hang around after class to chat with the professors and ask questions.

For lots of people, your personal tutor will be your first point of contact at university.

Drop them an email and see if you can schedule a 1-1 meeting.

You’ll be able to explain your desire to switch to a different course, and they can help you decide whether it’s a good decision.

Just getting the opportunity to speak through the process out loud is a huge help.

They’ll also be able to give you guidance on the next steps.

You might have a few more meetings with your personal tutor as well as possibly your course tutor as you continue along this process.

The exact process and requirements will vary from university to university, as well as from course to course.

Sometimes you may be required to apply through UCAS, while other times transfers can be handled internally.

For some, you’ll need to put together an application with a personal statement.

Don’t be discouraged if your subjects don’t meet the requirements for the course that you’re interested in.

That’s not an immediate deal breaker, and you can demonstrate any requisite knowledge and skills through the subjects you did take.

Regardless, the process shouldn’t be any harder than applying for university the first time around!

Just tackle each requirement step by step, and you’ll be done before you know it.

You made it!

If you transferred in the middle of the year, you may need to hit the books to catch up for the weeks you’ve missed.

This is also prime time for second-guessing, so avoid ruminating excessively about your decision.

Trust your own decision-making process and don’t compare your journey to anyone else’s.

Everyone’s education is individual – don’t convince yourself it is a race.

If you changed courses at the end of the first year, you’ll get to re-do your freshers week and have another opportunity to smash your first year, and fully adapt to university life.