If your course or university doesn’t feel right, you’re not stuck. You’ve got options - from changing course to moving university or adjusting how you study. We’ll walk you through what’s possible and what to do next.

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Can I change my course?

Yes, but it’s not always automatic. It depends on:

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• the time of year

• space on the new course

• whether you meet the entry requirements.

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Start by contacting your Department Hub. If the course is in a different university, you’ll need to contact their admissions team. You can find which universities oversee which courses on UCAS.

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If your request is approved, you’ll need to complete a Change of Programme form on the Student Record System (SRS).

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When would I start my new course?

This depends on timing and how similar the course is.

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• If it’s within the first 2 weeks of term, you may be able to switch straight away.

• If it’s after the first 2 weeks, you’ll likely need to wait until the next academic year.

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If your new course is similar, you may be able to start in second year.

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If it’s very different, you’ll usually need to start again in first year.

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What are the financial implications?

This depends on how you transfer:

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Moving into second year

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• your course length stays the same

• your funding usually doesn’t change

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Starting again in first year

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• your degree becomes one year longer

• if you’re funded by Student Finance England, you’re usually entitled to course length + one extra year, which this extra year would cover your previous study

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If you’ve already used this extra year, get in touch with us to talk through your situation.

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Do I need to apply through UCAS?

If you’re changing course after the first 2 weeks of term, your University may not decide until early February (after the UCAS deadline on 26 Jan). While you’re waiting, you could:

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• re-register with UCAS

• apply for the course again

• apply to other universities as well.

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Should I interrupt my studies while waiting?

If you’re not enjoying your course or want to save money, you could interrupt your studies. This means pausing your studies temporarily and not paying tuition fees during that time.

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The amount of tuition fee you pay depends on when you interrupt.

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Can I transfer to another university?

Yes, but you’ll need to check directly with the university you want to move to. Ask them:

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• do they accept transfers?

• is there space on the course?

• do I meet the entry requirements?

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They’ll tell you if you need to apply through UCAS.

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Can I transfer into second or third year?

Sometimes. If you’ve studied similar content, you may be able to transfer into second or third year. You’ll need to confirm this with the new university.

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If applying through UCAS, you’ll need to select second or third year as your point of entry.

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What should I do in the meantime?

You’ve got a few options:

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• withdraw: leave the University of Exeter completely

• interrupt: pause your studies and keep the option to return

• continue studying: stay until the end of the academic year.

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Things to consider:

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• interrupting and withdrawing have similar financial implications

• interrupting keeps your option to return open

• staying means paying full tuition fees for the year.

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For more details, you can find information about interruption on the Guild’s website. We know this decision can feel overwhelming — especially if you’re not sure what you want to do yet. If you want to talk it through, get in touch with us.

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Can I switch to part-time study?

Yes. In some cases, you can switch from full-time to part-time. This could be for the rest of your course or temporarily for one year.

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Start by speaking to your Pastoral Mentors to explore your options.

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How do fees and student finance work?

Fees are charged pro-rata. For example, if you split one academic year over two years you’ll pay 50% each year. This applies whether you pay fees yourself or use student finance.

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The amount you pay depends on when you interrupt:

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• first 2 weeks of term: 0%

• later in first term: 25%

• second term: 50%

• third term: 100%

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Exact dates change each year - check the financial regulations. Even if you interrupt early in the year, Student Finance England may still count this as a year of funding. This is usually covered by your additional year of entitlement.

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If your situation isn’t covered here, or you want to talk through your options, email advice@exeterguild.com or complete our enquiry form.

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