External course change
If you are considering leaving the university to study elsewhere, the procedure is much the same as if you were changing internally except that as well as selecting a new course, you will also need to find out which place of study is best for you.
Step one - Alternative courses
When considering a course change, you will need to ensure that you are selecting the right course for you. Once you have considered these, you will be able to create a short list of courses.
Things to consider |
Who you should talk to |
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Your educational background |
You need to be realistic that the subjects, grades and personal qualities that were required of you for your first course are appropriate for another course. |
The course leader and/or the admissions tutor of the new course. You can find out who this is from the relevant university prospectus or online via their website |
Mode of study |
Do you want to study your new course full-time or part-time? |
A careers counsellor can help you explore this option. Your course tutor may also be able to help you with this. Students who started in 2011 or before, who start a new course in the first year but change mode of study, could be liable to pay 2012 fees - check your situation with the Student Advice Service |
Level of course |
Do you want to study at a different level - for example foundation degree? |
A careers counsellor can help you explore this option. Your course tutor may also be able to help you with this. |
Subject areas |
Do you have an idea which subjects you would like to study? Does the university offer this subject? Is this something that you will enjoy or be good at? |
You can discuss with a careers counsellor broadly your options and the career implications of these. |
Type of assessment |
Would you prefer a course that has more or fewer exams, or more or less coursework? |
A careers counsellor can help you explore this option. Your course tutors may also be able to help you with this. |
Place of study |
Think about the kind of place of study that will suit you. Do you want to study in a particular town? Would you prefer to study at a large or small institution? |
You can find information about other institutions at the Careers Service or via the UCAS website. |
Which course? |
Once you have considered these, you will be able to create a short list of courses. |
You can find out about the courses on offer at places of study across the UK by searching the UCAS website. |
Financial consequences |
Some courses have different financial arrangements (e.g. NHS bursaries). There may also be time limits to loans and grants - see step 3 below. |
The Student Advice Service should be able to advise you. |
International Students |
If you are an international student with a Tier 4 visa you should be aware that it can be very difficult for you to leave the University in order to study elsewhere, especially if you want to do this part way through the academic year. What you must do in order to study elsewhere depends on when you applied for your current visa. |
It is very likely that you will have to make a full new Tier 4 application in order to study elsewhere. For more information you should contact the International Student Adviser in the Student Advice Service. |
Step two - Approaching the course
Once you have decided upon a course, you should contact the course leader or course admissions tutor. This may take the form of a formal interview.
You will need to discuss |
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Motivation |
Why are you interested in this course? |
For example, your interest in the subject; your career aims. |
Availability |
Are there any vacancies on the course? |
Some courses have limits to the overall numbers. |
Your subject knowledge and skills so far |
This will determine whether you enter the first year or go straight into the second year. It will be up to the admissions tutor to decide on this and will be based on your past performance. |
Students who have failed an assessment and wish to transfer will be treated as a new student and will start in the first year. |
Making an application |
This is likely to be via UCAS. |
Allow plenty of time for this process. Admissions systems vary across organisations. |
What will acceptance on the course will depend on? How will a decision about your application be made? |
Acceptance depends on course results from the year, topics covered, completion of your first year and discussion with the course admissions tutor. |
It is not advisable to leave your current course until your acceptance on the course has been confirmed. This can have implications for the financial support you are entitled to. |
Reference |
Will you need to get a reference from your present tutor? |
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Step three - Timing and money
Transferring to another course can seriously affect your eligibility for student funding. You should discuss the implications with:
- A student advisor
- Registry - regarding your fees.
- Student Finance England. Phone 0845 300 50 90
Financial Implications |
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Tuition Fees |
For those that started their course in 2011 or before:
If you transfer onto a new course at the same mode, at another university - it will up to the new university as to whether you will be classed as a new student (starting in the first year and liable for increased fees) or a continuing student (starting in the second or third year and pay existing fees). You should ensure that the University of Brighton records you as 'transferring' and not 'withdrawing' We advise you to contact the other institution as soon as possible to discuss this.
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For those that started their course in 2012:
The level of fees charged by the new university will depend on their tuition fee policy and the point at which you start with them - we advise you to contact the other institution as soon as possible to discuss this. |
| Previous Study | Tuition Fee Loans : Previous study is taken into account when making an assessment for student financial support. The basic principle is that students are eligible for funding for the standard length of their course, plus one year, minus any years of previous study. Eligibility for the Maintenance Grant (MG) and Special Support Grant (SSG) is linked to eligibility for the Tuition Fee Loan (TFL), so students who are not eligible for a TFL are not eligible for the MG or SSG either. You should also be aware that when calculating previous study, Student Finance England treats 1 day’s study as equivalent to 1 year’s funding. |
Loans for Living costs : You should still be eligible for the full maintenance loan to which you are entitled as long as the course is designated. |
Gaps between courses |
If there is a gap between you leaving one course and joining another you will not normally be eligible for social security benefits, unless you already have an entitlement. |
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Students who have failed some or all of their original course |
Students in this situation will usually start in the first year of the new course.
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If you feel that ill health or other circumstances beyond your control have affected your studies, you may want to discuss the matter with the Student Advice Service. It is important to inform your new course about this process, as it may affect your start date. |
Step Four - leaving the University of Brighton
Once you have decided to leave and have applied or been accepted by another course/university, it is advised that you read the pages under 'consequences' to ensure you understand the implications of your decision - this is particularly important in relation to money and your entitlement to student funding.
After which you will need to formally leave the university. See 'how to withdraw'.