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Student life-after you start

Transferring or dropping out of university

If you want to transfer from a degree course or university, or drop out of university altogether, these are the things you should know and consider.

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CONTENTS

  1. Why you might transfer or drop out of university

  2. If you're considering transferring or dropping out

  3. How to transfer courses

  4. How to transfer universities

  5. Student loans and transferring universities
  6. Transferring course credits

  7. How to drop out of university altogether

Why you might transfer or drop out of university

You won’t know if your choice of university was right until you’re there. Sometimes it just doesn’t work out, so you start thinking about other options. Don’t worry, you’re not the first to be in this situation and you won’t be the last.

In 2019-20, 2.6% of all full-time first-degree students transferred university and 6.9% of students dropped out of university altogether (HESA 2022). This figure is actually lower than many other countries, including the USA and Canada, who have higher drop-out rates.  

There are many reasons why you may decide to transfer or drop out completely.

Homesickness and challenges with settling in is fairly common. If not homesick, then maybe you find that you haven’t made enough good friends yet. Or, a boyfriend/girlfriend could be living far away and you miss them – it isn’t easy. More recently, cost of living pressures are causing students to consider leaving higher education.

Or perhaps the course you've chosen isn’t right for you. Maybe it's too difficult, not enjoyable, or you've decided it’s not the right route to go down for your future. You may even have personal issues that are making it harder for you to settle in. 

If I want to drop out of uni because of mental health

Whether it be a disability, bereavement, mental health reason, or other happiness and health-related issue, there are many valid reasons to consider transferring or dropping out. Universities have help and guidance for students facing a wide range of issues that might make them feel like they need to quit.

However, mental health and wellbeing are serious issues and if you need time to reassess your decision to go to university or seek other help, this is perfectly ok. Don't feel bad to do what is best for your mental health, and make sure you talk to someone. 

If you're considering transferring or dropping out

Talk it through

We advise talking to others to help pinpoint exactly what you’re struggling with and ask yourself if you can address these issues before considering leaving.

You can speak to teachers, friends and family. At university, student welfare services such as counselling, chaplaincy, money advisors and students’ welfare officers, are all there to help you through times like these.

Talking things through with others can help you discover things that you weren’t able to on your own. You may also get good ideas about what you could do to make the situation better.

For example, if you’re considering dropping out because you’re facing financial hardship, you might be able to access emergency funding from the university.

Stick it out

Another question to ask yourself is, could it get better over time? Nothing is going to be 100% perfect, and many people in the same situation feel better and go on to finish their course or at least complete their first year. It's far easier to transfer or take a leave of absence year if you've completed and passed your first year. 

Be honest

Always be honest with yourself and those who support you. Acknowledge the warning signs and don’t push things aside. Ask yourself, would dropping out of or transferring university solve your issues? 

Make the most of your opportunity

If you're feeling lonely and are struggling to make friends, there are plenty of university societies and sports teams to join. There will be many people in these groups ready to make friends and welcome you in.

If you've come to university and find you struggle with social anxiety, this might be a good time to seek out professional help via your student welfare officer who can help you get over your fears and make the most of your time at university. 

Most importantly, don’t make any hasty decisions – think things through properly.

What can you do if you're still not happy?

If your reasons for wanting to transfer or quit are down to the university and not personal circumstances, and you feel like they haven’t taken proper steps to correct the problem, there are other organisations that can help.

First, it’s worth checking if your Students’ Union has an advice service that could offer support and guidance. SUs also have a system of student representatives to enable students to voice concerns with the university. You may find you are not the only student facing the same issue.

Secondly, if you want to, you can raise a complaint with your university, following its complaints procedure. You can often find this on the uni’s website – if not, ask for it.

After the formal complaints process is completed, if you are you are still dissatisfied with the outcome you may be able to escalate your complaint to an independent body. These are:

You can’t take forward a complaint if it is about a matter of academic judgement – but you can if it involves issues such as bullying or harassment or procedural irregularities in relation to plagiarism, academic appeals or extenuating circumstances. The ombudsman can also review complaints about student accommodation provided by the university, and other area of mismanagement.

If you take your complaint to an ombudsman, you must do so within a given time – usually six months – and the review will focus on whether university procedures were fair. 

How to transfer courses

If you're unhappy with your course, see if there's a better alternative at your current university, as you may be able to transfer onto it.

Firstly, there are a few steps you should go through and things you need to consider before going into a transfer. 

Identify the problem

How is the course wrong for you? What would make it better? Is it the course content, or the people? Decide what your issues are so you can make an informed decision of what to do next.

Think about the consequences 

If you transfer course and start a new one part-way through the year, you may not know anyone in the new course and may feel behind. If you decide to switch course and it's too late to transfer in your current year, you may have to repeat the first year.

Think about it at the right time

Think it through as soon as possible so you can change and not miss too much. Or, decide during the second half of the first year in order to switch when you move into the next academic year.

Figure out what you would have to do

How easy would it be? Would it be possible and worth it for where you currently are in the academic year? Speak to tutors, lecturers, department staff and other university staff who may be able to assist. Work out what your steps are to make the transfer happen.

Working out what’s best

What would be best for what you want? For example, if you get a good mark in your first year, you may be able to transfer direct into the second year of another course if it's a similar course.

Student loans and transferring courses

Changing course part-way through a year may not have much financial impact, unless your new course is a different length to your current one.

You can use your online account to let your student finance body know you’re changing course. Your uni will need to confirm the course change with student finance.

If you are beginning a new course in the next academic year, ‘previous study’ rules may apply. Check with student finance before you commit to your plan to transfer in case you need to cover some of the costs yourself.

How to transfer universities

Transferring universities could be a great idea – it could bring more opportunities and happiness. Universities are ready to accept transfer students and the government is making it easier for students to transfer credits. You could transfer to a similar or different course at a different university. 

But try and complete the year if you can. It's better to leave with good results than nothing at all. Many students in similar positions have found that things can drastically improve with time. Sometimes students who thought they’d drop out but remained to finish their first year end up staying at that university and finishing the entire course.

If you’re determined to transfer, you must ask yourself some serious questions to identify the issues so that you can make the right move:

  • Is it the size of your university or classes? 
  • Is the location unsuitable for you? 
  • Should you consider something closer to home? 
  • Do you dislike the course content? 
  • Is university right for you now? 
  • Should you take some time out to gain some work experience, travel or volunteer? 

Switching universities to make yourself happier could still have some unintended consequences. Before you make the leap, consider the following outcomes: 

  • You may have to pay for the remainder of accommodation costs that you signed a contract for, unless you can find someone else to take your place
  • You may have to repeat the first year in your new university
  • It may be difficult to find decent accommodation at your new university
  • You may not settle in as easily, or feel integrated with the student body if joining the university later on
  • Re-applying through UCAS could be hard if you have not passed your first year
  • Sometimes, transferring is not an option, and you will have to reapply to university through UCAS afresh
  • If you leave university without transferring straight away, it could create a gap in your CV. This will make future employers ask questions, which you will need a good answer for. So, we would suggest volunteering, travelling or trying to gain some work experience

Your student loans could also be impacted – see our section below on Student loans and transferring universities

Student Teacher Studying Lesson School

Transferring university during the first year

In some cases, the earlier you transfer, the better. You may be able to catch the final days of UCAS applications and go through Clearing. But if you only have minor doubts, do try and stick it out for as long as possible.

December to January is a crucial time when students decide whether they’ve made the right choice. The Christmas period may help you take a step back and think things through objectively, especially if you haven’t been home for the whole of the first term.

There is the opportunity to start a new course in the new year as some universities have January intakes, two-year accelerated or fast-track degrees. This could mean you still graduate at the same time as your friends. A longer route could be to change your full-time study plans to a part-time route, so you are still on track to complete a degree but alongside work or training.

Transferring university during the second year

If possible, stick out your first year and perform your best. If you get a good mark in your first year, you may be able to transfer into another similar course straight into the second year. After January, you can start to look at which unis you could transfer to with the credits you’ll have at the end of the year. You will have something to offer regardless of what you do next. Always think about the long-term. 

Action plan

Remember, you'll need to drop out of your current course before starting a new one. It will depend on when you drop out and are planning on reapplying. Ensure you allow enough time to do proper research and ensure you choose the right new university and course.

Think about: 

  • What will you need to do before applying for a new course?
  • What will you have to do after you have accepted?
  • What are the requirements? 
  • Do you need a certain amount of credits?
  • Could you ask to transfer to a different course at your current university?
  • Will the same course elsewhere be making the same mistake again?
  • If you’re looking for a different university, find out what courses are available that have similar modules to the one you’re currently in
  • Consider the pros and cons for transferring or restarting in September or January
  • Consider a full-time course, two-year accelerated degree or part-time study route

Speak to the right people

When you have identified a course (either at your current or new university), approach the admissions team and talk it through with them. Find out how you'll need to apply and if you need to drop out of your current university before you transfer. You can expect the admissions team to ask you to send your transcript for your first-year credits, and information about what subjects you're studying. They may call you in for an interview. Some universities have online application forms called APLs (Accreditation of Prior Learning).

It’s also really important to talk through plans with your family and friends, and even former teachers and advisers.

Lastly, think about the whole picture. When would you start? What do you need to do about accommodation? Think back to when you applied to university before and prepare in a similar way.

Student loans and transferring universities 

You'll need to speak to your student finance body and explain your situation. Your university will also need to contact student finance.

Regardless of what point in the term you leave your course, you'll have to pay for the full term of tuition fees. If you leave university in your third term, you'll have to pay for the full year of fees.

Funding for your new course will take account of your previous study. The rules for student finance normally calculate your funding as the duration of the course you’re studying, plus one year.

If you transfer from one course to another during the first academic year, this will not affect your funding.

If you begin a new course after your first academic year, there are consequences:

  • Even if you didn’t complete a full year on your first course, it means you’ll have used up your ‘plus one’ year
  • If you’ve already repeated year one of your first course, you may not get a tuition fee loan for the first year of your new course
  • If you need to repeat a year of the new course, it means you’ll need to pay tuition fees yourself

This applies even if you transfer onto a shorter, accelerated course.

If you had compelling personal reasons that led to you repeating a year of study or leaving your previous course – such as a family bereavement or ill health – student finance bodies have leeway to permit another year of funding, but this is entirely at their discretion. You will need to provide evidence to support your claim.

If you are an EU student who began a course before August 2021 and you aren’t registered with the EU Settlement Scheme, you may lose your eligibility for tuition fee support if you transfer course or university.

Transferring course credits

If you're applying to a different course at the same university, you may only be able to transfer credits if the courses are very similar.

If you have to re-apply via UCAS to a new university, you may be given the option to transfer your credits over. It's then up to you to decide whether or not to stick out the year and work for credits to transfer you straight into year two at your new university or leave straight away and start again from year one next academic year. 

If you're transferring credits in order to start in year two, you must remember to state on your UCAS application that you want to join the second year. 

If you can't transfer your credits over, this will mean you have to start again, and not only will you have to pay for a degree you didn’t finish, you may not receive the full funding for the second one – especially if you leave in the second or third year. 

How to drop out of university altogether

University isn’t for everyone. If you feel like dropping out of uni, sometimes the best option could be leaving and pursuing a different route. This could be entering into full-time employment, undertaking an apprenticeship, volunteering or travelling.

However, there are some consequences of dropping out to consider: 

  • You may have to pay the remaining costs for accommodation you signed a contract for, unless you can find someone else to take your place
  • You'll stop receiving any loan payments and student benefits
  • If you stay in your accommodation and you’re not a student, you'll have to pay council tax
  • You may receive limited funds if you decide to go back to university in the future, regardless of what point in the year you dropped out
  • Leaving university could create a gap in your CV; future employers might ask questions about this, and you'll need a good answer

Dropping out of university advice

We advise you to try and complete the year, if you can. It’s better to leave with good exams results than nothing at all. If you have some grades from your first year, this may help if you wish to apply again in the future. If you don’t, at the very least it will show future employers that you worked hard at something before giving up.

Many students in similar positions have found things can drastically improve with time and those who thought they were going to drop out but finished their whole first year ended up staying at that university and finishing the whole course. However, if you are adamant on leaving university and not returning (at least not just yet), leave as soon as possible, to avoid paying fees and/or accommodation for the entire year. 

Student loans and dropping out of uni

You'll be required to pay back the student loans you've received. How much you'll have to pay back will depend on when you leave university. It's much the same as if you transfer:  

  • Leave midway through a term and you'll have to pay for the full term of tuition fees
  • Leave university in your third term and you'll have to pay for the full year of fees

Get in touch with your student finance company and talk through what will happen. Do this as soon as possible.

Unless you’ve been overpaid, you'll begin repaying your loan in the same way as if you finished your entire degree. This is from the April following your departure from university, and when you have started earning more than a certain amount.

If you have been overpaid, you’ll need to pay this money back sooner – even if you’re not earning over the loan repayment threshold.

  1. READ MORE
  2. Repaying your student loan

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