Switching universities partway through your degree isn’t a decision to make lightly. Whether you’re unhappy with your course, unhappy with your current university, unhappy with your location, or wanting to be closer to home again; transferring university is a huge step that has academic, financial, and personal implications. Before you email your potential new university and fill out any transfer forms, it’s worth considering the pros and cons, the reasons you want to transfer, the timing of your transfer and so on.
As someone who transferred universities just before the start of her third year, these are things I had considered in depth before I filled out the transfer forms and started emailing between universities to get the transfer sorted.
Discuss and research
Why do you want to transfer?
One of the first things you need to think about is why you want to move universities.
Some of the factors that people take into consideration include:
- Course dissatisfaction: The course may not be what was expected originally, in which case, I’d suggest maybe thinking about changing the degree course within the university unless you’re dead set on your course and want to explore the course in a new university.
- Location: You might not want to be so far away from home, or the location you’re in is too expensive, or not right for you.
- Personal circumstances: things such as health issues, family problems, financial pressures, and so on, could mean that transferring to a different university would be more practical and significantly easier.
- University: You might be unhappy with your current university, or want better opportunities.
Making sure you have a clear line of reason for wanting to transfer will help you focus on finding a university and course that works better for you rather than moving for the sake of it and then regretting it later on.
For me, I decided to move universities because I was really unhappy with the university itself. I had already switched degrees once (I started out and did a year of politics before repeating first year and doing two years of English Literature). It’s not that I was unhappy with my course after I had switched, I was dissatisfied with the university as a whole. I also had a fair few personal issues relating to people in and around the university that made me really anxious staying in the setting I was in, so the change was definitely needed for me.
Do you want to transfer universities or courses (or both)?
Another thing to consider is whether you want to transfer universities or courses. It is easier to transfer to another course within the same university than to transfer university, so make sure you are aware of all the options available.
Whether you want to transfer because of the course, the campus, the city or the university, make sure you know what you want to do and where. Come up with a list of things you value in your education, what you want to learn and what kind of environment you want to be in. Know the ins and outs of the courses you want to do and where you want to be before you start applying to transfer.
Who to talk to
Before making the leap, have open conversations with others. Friends and family can help you weigh emotional and practical considerations you might overlook, and also what it means if you stay at home/move further away. You could also speak to lecturers or tutors, who may suggest changes you can make within your current course or help you with academic references if you decide to leave. Make sure to get in contact with the lead lecturer for the course in your new university too, that’s an important contact to make as they’ll explain the differences in the courses and answer any questions you might have.
It’s also a good idea to speak to the admissions staff at the new university: They can clarify entry requirements, credit transfers, and deadlines before you commit.
Sometimes, just talking things through can make your decision clearer—or reveal that your issues could be resolved without moving.
I spoke to my mum as I was determined to not complete my third year in my first university. I then reached out to admissions who put me in contact with the course lead who I then had a Microsoft Teams meeting with. After that, I emailed one of my lecturers from my old university and we had a Microsoft meeting too just to discuss whether or not I had weighed out all of the factors before making my final decision. Talking with people definitely helps, as it’s a massive decision to make on your own.
If you are set on a particular university, you should email/contact that university to ask if they accept transfers. Every university website has a contact information section where you can find email addresses to enquire at. Be sure to have on hand your name, current university and course, details of your previous modules and academic record and the name of the course you wish to transfer to.
Things to consider
Transfer at the right time
The year you transfer into matters a lot.
Transferring after the first year/part-way through the first year: This is the most straightforward academically. Most universities are open to accepting first-year transfers, and your modules are less likely to be too specialised to match with another institution’s requirements.
Transferring into second year : Matching modules and credits becomes important. If there’s too much mismatch, you might need to repeat the first year depending on the requirements for the university you move to. Some require all three years of modules to be done at their university.
Transferring into third year: This is trickiest. Many universities don’t allow direct entry into the final year unless the course content and assessment methods are a close match. Even then, they might ask that you repeat your second year as only 2nd and 3rd year count towards overall grades for most degrees, so they might require you to do your second year from scratch there.
Repeating a year is not unusual in transfers, especially if there’s a gap between your previous modules and the new course’s requirements. While it may feel like “losing” time, it could be worth it for a better overall university experience. I repeated my first year in my original university as I changed my degree, and it was definitely worth it in the end, although I felt behind, it was better as I was less stressed and eased into it better.
For me, I got very lucky in my transfer. I was worried as I had already repeated a year, it would mean I stood no chance of moving for my third year as I’d used three of my possible four years of under-graduate student finance. Thankfully, after enquiring at several universities, I got lucky and found one that was happy to take me for just that third year.
I think the best thing to do, regardless of the year you’re in/wanting to transfer into, is just email, email, email. Enquire into as many universities as you can, someone is bound to say yes!
Entry requirements
If the university you want to switch to does accept transferring students, you need to check the course requirements. Checking A-Levels grades/subjects and current grade requirements will ensure that you can get onto the course should you apply.
If you are transferring in second or third year, you may be able to stay in that year at the new university, depending on the similarities between the course you are currently doing and the one you are switching to. Some universities also have requirements regarding this so you will need to enquire.
Student Finance
You will need to update your student finance records with your new university, course, and year of study. Regarding your student finance payments, these will normally be carried on with the new university course. However, depending on the length of the new course, self-funding may be required in the last few years.
Student Visas
If you are an international student, transferring universities may impact your student visa. It is important to check with your student support officer whether there will be any changes, especially considering variations of course length.
Accommodation
If you do transfer universities, it is essential to think about where you are going to live. Applying for university accommodation once you have an offer is an option but dependent on personal preference. The difference in property rent between cities is a paramount consideration as this will effect the accommodation type you can afford.
Location and lifestyle changes
Switching universities might also mean changing your living arrangements.
- Going more local: If you move to a university closer to home, you might save thousands in accommodation costs, but you might miss the “student halls” social experience.
- Moving further away: This can open up new opportunities but may increase living costs and make travel home more difficult.
Think about how location affects not only your finances but also your mental health, support networks, and extracurricular opportunities.
I originally went to a university that was about an hour and three-quarters train ride away from home, which wasn’t too far away, but I was spending a ridiculous amount of money on rent and travel. For my third year, I moved to a university that’s a 40-minute bus ride from home, so I get to stay at home, and even with an annual student bus pass, I’m saving a significant amount of money.
Course compatibility and accreditation
Even if two universities offer the same course title, the content can differ significantly. Look closely at:
Module content and assessment types: The closer your completed modules match, the more likely your credits will transfer.
Professional accreditation: If your degree is tied to a professional body, make sure the new course holds the same accreditation.
How to apply
This again depends upon the university, but many UK universities require you to reapply through UCAS. Writing personal statements and entrance tests aside, you will additionally have to provide you course grades and modules that you have studied in your previous university course.
Deadlines for transferring universities
The UCAS deadlines for university applications typically is the 15th of January for most courses and the 15th of October for Medicine, Veterinary and Oxbridge courses. This is for starting in the next academic year. Few universities will accept transfers during an academic year, so it is likely that you will need to wait until the next academic year.
During your UCAS application, if you have confirmed with your chosen university that you can begin in second or third year, you should put this as your point of entry for starting the course. This is the year you will join in the course.
The transfer process
The practical steps usually include:
- Contacting admissions: Ring the university you want to transfer to, or email their admissions team and see if a transfer is feasible and if they have the space.
- Providing transcripts: You’ll need official transcripts for A-level (or equivalent) results and completed university work, for example, when I transferred, I had to send them a transcript of my 1st and 2nd year university results.
- Applying formally: Some transfers are done via UCAS, others directly to the university. The university you’re transferring to will be able to tell you whether you need to go through UCAS or through them, and they’ll send any forms you might need.
- References: You’ll need a reference from a member of staff at your current university, so a lecturer, your personal tutor, or someone who knows you well. The UCAS website has some good tips for those considering a transfer.
Qualifications along the way
If you’ve completed two years of your degree before transferring but don’t want to finish the third at your current university, you might be eligible for a Higher Education Diploma (DipHE). This can give you formal recognition for your work even if you don’t graduate from your original university.
Financial implications
Changing universities can affect your student finance:
Tuition fees: Your new course may cost more or less. It used to cost less to go to university in Wales than it did England, but I know they’ve put the price up in Wales this year.
Student loans: Check with Student Finance about your funding entitlement, especially if repeating a year or if you’re going to be living at home.
Scholarships and bursaries – These are usually tied to your current university.
The second my transfer got approved, I went straight to Student Finance and updated my application so that they could sort out my finances as soon as possible. As I’m living at home for my final year, I get less loan as a result, so it’s important to check what you’re entitled to.
Social and emotional factors
Leaving behind friends, familiar lecturers, and societies can be emotionally challenging. While you’ll meet new people, you may need to work harder to build connections—especially if joining in later years.
I am a bit nervous about moving in my third year. Everyone is going to know everyone already, and I’ve left my friends and my Brownie unit behind in my original University town, but I know I have to prioritise myself and my education before anything else, so for me, I know a transfer is my best option.
Weighing the pros and cons of transferring to a new university
Before deciding, make a side-by-side list of what you’ll gain and what you might lose by transferring. Consider the potential pros and cons:
Pros
- A better-suited course or teaching style
- More relevant career opportunities and connections
- Improved location for cost, lifestyle, or support networks
- Fresh start socially and academically
Cons
- Loss of existing friendships and support systems
- Possible need to repeat a year, delaying graduation
- Financial costs of moving and potentially higher fees
- Risk that the new university still won’t fully meet expectations
- Can be quite complex trying to transfer
Looking at your list objectively can help ensure your decision is based on long-term benefits rather than short-term frustrations.
Personally, I believe that transferring is definitely worth it in the long run. It’s a difficult decision to make and can be tricky trying to smooth out all the lines. You’re have to send documents over, deregister, cancel halls contracts and so on. Ultimately, it’s worth all the hassle. There’s no point staying in a university or on a course that doesn’t make you happy or is causing you problems.
But take all the factors I’ve mentioned into consideration and talk to your family and the universities, it isn’t an easy decision to make alone, but if you go for it, then it’ll feel so rewarding!
Transferring universities is a brave step in deciding what you want from your education. Despite the challenge of this, there are people within every university and outside available to help you in this journey. Good luck to anyone transferring or reapplying!