also known as transferring or an internal transfer
Changing course can be complex, that is why there is support available to you every step of the way. If you feel that your current course is not right for you, taking action and making a change can be a really positive step. We don't want you to settle for second best. We do want you to be aware of all your options and any issues that might arise, so that you can make an informed choice, whether you stay on your course or change to another.
If you feel that you are on the wrong course or at the wrong university, please contact us. We understand that if something isn't right with your course or life at Brighton, it can make you worry or panic. We also know that making changes to what and where you study is a big decision, that's why support is available to you at every stage from a variety of sources.
You don't need to put up with a situation that isn't right for you, we can help you work out how to make improvements or changes to your study.
Get the answers you need
By talking to someone, you can get access to the information you need to know, so that you can make an informed decision, including:
- Find out more about the remainder of your current course. For example, there could be module options or other opportunties as the course develops which will suit your needs.
- Get advice on how to resolve any issues you may be experiencing on your current course.
- If you don't know what you would like to study instead, find out more about what is avaliable and what suits your needs.
- Find out more about the courses you are interested in studying, whether they are related to your current course or in a different subject area.
- Get support with study skills. The ASK study guide offers online information and details of study skills sessions held on all campuses during term time.
- Get careers advice, find out about the skills you need for the industry you want to enter , what career options your course could provide you with and much more by contacting the careers service.
Who can I ask for help?
- Approach any member of staff you feel comfortable talking to, this could be your personal tutor, course leader or other member of course staff. Our list of useful contacts includes details of how to contact a student advisor and for many courses, student support and guidance tutors.
- Talking through your ideas and concerns with family or friends is a good idea too.
- Ask students final year students from your course about how it progresses and speak to current students on the other courses that interest you.
- The chaplaincy and the counselling and wellbeing service are also available to all students.
- If you are an international student with a Tier 4 or Student visa you should consider the effect changing your course will have on your visa. For example, will your new course finish after your current visa expires? If so, will you be able to successfully apply to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for permission to stay in the UK for more time? Do you know the requirements of this application? For help with these questions you should contact the International Student Adviser in the Student Advice Service
Keep in touch with your current course
Please remember that non-attendance does not count as notice that you intend to leave your course. It is important that you try to keep in touch with staff on your current course, even if you think you don't want to do it anymore. Your attendance can effect your student finance, references and your qualifications, all of which could be important for your next steps.
It is a benefit to you to have the support and help that teaching or support staff on your course can offer you. If your attendance is already less than it should be, get in touch sooner rather than later. Course staff and student advisers can help you to get where you need and want to be.
Talk to us
It can sometimes feel embarrassing or difficult to ask for help but remember that it is a positive step to talk to someone. Taking the first step is often the hardest part. Once you do, you will find out that there is plenty support for you at Brighton. This includes;
- Your course leader or personal tutor
- Your course office and course administrator
- Support and Guidance Tutors (SGT's) if your school has one
- The Students' Union
- The Careers Service
If you want to find out more about other courses available at Brighton, start with the course finder. You can search for courses by subject area, attendance and study level. The course page will give you information about the content of the course and contact details for the school office so that you can find out more.
Take advantage of already being a student at Brighton by using the support and contacts you already have access to. Find out as much as you can. Even if you feel that you know all about your chosen course, double check. Talk to students already on the course you are interested in as well as course staff.
The Careers Service offers information and advice on career planning and career paths and how your course can assist you to achieve your goals. You can book a one to one appointment.
Things to consider
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. Speak to the course leader and/or the admissions tutor of the new course
Do you want to study your new course full-time or part-time? A careers counsellor can help you explore this option. 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.
Would you prefer a course that has more or fewer exams, or more or less coursework?
Some courses have different financial arrangements (e.g. NHS bursaries). There may also be time limits to loans and grants. The Student Advice Service should be able to advise you.
If you are an international student with a Tier 4 or Student visa you should consider the effect of changing your course at the University will have on your visa. For example, will your new course finish after your current visa expires? If so, will you be able to successfully apply to the UK Border Agency (UKBA) for permission to stay in the UK for more time? Do you know the requirements of this application? For help with these questions you should contact the International Student Adviser in theStudent Advice Service.
It is a good idea to speak to your current course leader and the course leader from your new area of interest as soon as possible. Both can offer you advice or contacts and information that will be of use to you.
The decision to accept a new student onto a course is made by the course leader, on an individual basis. You can only be offered a place on a course if there is a vacancy. The course leader will then consider your suitability for the course, including your previous study, committment and qualifications.
If you are an international student, please contact an international student advisor as soon as possible to discuss your situation because any change to your study will affect your visa.
The new course leader will be able to answer your questions about the course and will inform you of;
- What level of tuition fees you will need to pay. If you started your course in 2011 or before, transferring could mean that you are liable to pay increased tuition fees.
- When it would be suitable to leave your current course. This is something you should negotiate with your current course leader and your new course leader. You may be required to complete any forthcoming assessment periods. It is not advisable to leave your current course until your acceptance on the new course has been confirmed as this can have implications for the financial support you are entitled to.
- How to apply for this course. This is likely to be via UCAS; but if you are hoping to enter the second year of a course, you may be asked to write a letter and complete a university application form.
- whether you need a reference from your current course.
- At what point you enter the new course (whether you enter the first year or go straight into the second year) - this will depend on your subject knowledge and skills so far, your academic performance.
- When it would be suitable to leave your current course. This is an issue that you should discuss with your current course leader and your new course leader.
How your student finance is affected by changing course can vary between one student and another because it depends upon your circumstances. These include your previous study, your current stage of study and the course you have chosen to transfer to.
The decision to accept an application to transfer from one course to another is at the discretion of the course leader. They will tell you when and at which stage in the course you can join.
If you started your course in 2011 or earlier, the changes made by government to fees and funding in 2012 does add an extra point to consider if you now wish to transfer. It could mean that although you have received student funding and paid tuition fees under the previous finance arrangements until now, you will need to pay higher tuition fees if you change course. You should check if this would apply to you by talking to the course leader and a Student Advisor.
Student Finance England (SFE) will carry forward your existing account if you transfer to another course at Brighton. It is important that you keep Student Finance England up to date with any changes you make to your course of study. A Student Advisor at Brighton can help you with this process.
Currently, Student Finance England offer funding support for the length of your course, plus one additional year, minus any previous study. Student Finance England counts a single day of study as a year of support. Therefore if you transfer from a course after enrolling and at any point during the academic year, you have used one years worth of finance support.
If you transfer internally at Brighton and continue on a new course immediately it is possible that this can be a transfer within the same year of support between one course and another.
If there is a gap and you need to start again at the start of a new academic year you will be using the extra year of support that is offered for this purpose.
As an example, you could potentially complete one year of study and still be entitled to three further years of support, to complete a degree course from year one to year three. If you have transferred during your second year or later and wish to begin another course of study, you may find that you have to self-fund part of it. This is dependent upon individual circumstances and a Student Advisor will be able to discuss this with you.
If you change your mode of study, for example moving from a full-time to a part-time course, you will be classed as a new student and be liable for the new fees.