Changing or leaving your course

If you're thinking about changing your course, transferring to a different institution or dropping out of university entirely, take the time to run through your options before going ahead with such a big decision

The main reasons for dropping out of university

It's difficult to know whether undergraduate study is right for you until you've experienced it first-hand.

Many first-year students have second thoughts on their decision to go to university for a number of reasons:

• Career - you've had a change of heart about the career you'd like to pursue, and the course you're enrolled on is no longer suitable. Read about changing careers.
• Course - you're struggling to cope with the workload or aren't being challenged enough, you don't respond well to the teaching and assessment methods, or it's simply not what you expected.
• Institution - the university you've chosen is too big/small, you've stayed close to home and would like to move away, or you moved further afield and are feeling homesick.
• Financial - you can't afford the tuition or accommodation fees, living costs are out of your budget, or you're not comfortable with the idea of accumulating and dealing with student debt.
• Personal - you have a disability or health issues that make university life difficult to cope with, you've suffered a bereavement at home, or you're finding it difficult to balance your studies with other commitments.

How to drop out of university

What steps do I need to take to leave university?

If you decide to drop out, you'll first need to inform the university of your decision. You can do this by meeting with your personal tutor to inform them of your plans and talk about any academic implications.

They will discuss the process and offer advice on withdrawing from university. This typically involves obtaining and filling out the necessary declaration of withdrawal forms provided by your faculty office. Only when these have been submitted and approved can you arrange an official leaving date with your department.

Once this date is set, you'll need to contact your student finance provider, such as Student Finance England, to formalise your intentions. They'll get in touch with you further down the line to discuss the financial side of dropping out of university.

What if I'm already in my second or third year?

In this situation, it's worth checking with your department to see if the time you've already put into your course makes you eligible for any certificates or diplomas - see our guide to qualifications.

You'll need to follow the same process as dropping out of university as a first-year student.

However, you may also wish to consider taking a break from your studies for a year, as that can sometimes give you time to explore your options.

Can I leave partway through my course?

There's no obligation for you to complete a course you've started. However, before you officially state your intention to leave, you should continue attending your lectures and seminars. If you change your mind and decide to stay, you'll regret missing classes and may suffer in terms of handing in assignments and sitting exams.

As you contemplate this decision, it's worth discussing it with a student support officer or careers adviser. They can go through the pros and cons of changing or leaving your course and help you develop a viable career plan once you've left.

What are the financial implications of dropping out of university?

When you withdraw from your studies, you'll be liable to pay either a percentage or the entirety of your tuition fees, and you'll stop being eligible for maintenance loan payments with immediate effect. These funds will also likely need to be repaid.

You'll be required to pay the tuition fees for all or part of the year you're in. For students in England, Student Finance will assess your financial situation and send you details of the loan amounts available to you and those you'll have to pay back. How much you'll be charged will depend on when in the academic year you've decided to leave.

For instance, if you:

• leave in the first term, you'll be charged 25% of the tuition fees for that academic year
• withdraw in the second term, you'll be charged 50%
• leave in the third term, you'll be accountable for 100% of the tuition fees for the year.

Even if you decide to leave halfway through a term, you'll be responsible for the entirety of its fees.

You will also no longer qualify for student accommodation and may need to pay any outstanding rent.

What else will I need to take into account when dropping out?

In addition to the financial impact of this decision, you'll also need to decide what to do in the short term. For instance, you'll be expected to move out of your university-managed accommodation. You may wish to consider moving back home or making alternative living arrangements while you weigh up your options.

If you're leaving university for your career prospects, you'll need to think about what you'd like to do next. Some professions will require a degree, but you'll be able to enter others through various routes. Explore how to choose a career.

Be sure to carry out research before quitting your course. If you've got a career path in mind, visit our job profiles to check the entry requirements.

Remember that you won't be able to join a graduate scheme without a completed degree. The majority of programmes will ask for a high-standard undergraduate qualification as a minimum requirement.

However, most employers shouldn't view your decision negatively, as long as you can explain how this decision is a positive step towards achieving your goals.

When would I need to repay my student loan?

You'll be expected to repay the debts you've accumulated in the same way a graduate would - from the April after you leave university.

If you started your course on or after 1 August 2023, you'll be on Plan 5. This means that you'll only start making tuition fee loan repayments once you're earning over £25,000 a year (£2,083 a month) before tax.

For more information, see GOV.UK - Repaying your student loan.

What about my maintenance loan and accommodation?

You'll also be expected to cover your maintenance loans, including your accommodation fees.

When you moved into student accommodation, you likely signed a contract for either 40 or 52 weeks. This will need to be honoured in full, and you'll have to repay any loans you took out to cover these costs. You can only be released from this contract by finding another student to fill your room and take over the payments.

If you decide to return to university at a later date, you'll still be able to apply for student funding. However, your previous history will be taken into account and deducted from what you're entitled to in the future. Also, if you withdrew from a course halfway through the year, Student Finance counts this as a full year of funding.

Get the lowdown on student loans and finance.

How to change your course while at university

Can I change course at university once it's started?

Yes, it's possible to transfer onto a different course at the same university, as long as there's enough space for you on the new programme and the transfer is agreed between the departments.

When speaking to your new department, you'll have to provide reasons for wanting to move courses and show you're taking your studies seriously.

What steps do I need to take to change my course?

To transfer courses, you'll need to fill in and submit an internal transfer form, which you can request from your current department.

This will be approved once it's been confirmed that you meet the entry requirements for your new course.

What are the financial implications of changing courses?

Switching courses at university can have financial repercussions for various reasons, such as transferring onto a longer or shorter course. Contact Student Finance as soon as you've made your decision to find out your new loan entitlements.

How easy is it to change modules on the same course?

This is a much simpler process. Request a 'change of module' form from your department, and you'll be transferred over if there's space on the new modules and they don't clash with your existing timetable.

You won't be able to drop any compulsory modules, and individual universities will set their own cut-off dates for module changes, typically in the first few weeks of term.

Can I change from a single to a joint honours degree?

Switching to a joint honours degree is more complicated. You may be asked to submit another personal statement, attend an interview with your prospective department, or even leave the institution and reapply through UCAS for the next joint honours intake the following year.

How to transfer to a different university

Can I change universities?

If you're unhappy with your institution, you may be able to transfer to another. You'll still need to do your research and meet the entry requirements of the university you'd like to move to.

Your previous credits might be taken into account if you're hoping to join a new university for the second year onwards. Alternatively, you might be required to start afresh in the first year at your new university.

For a definitive answer on whether you can transfer, contact the admissions officer at your new university.

How do I start the process of transferring universities?

In the first instance, you'll need to contact the university you'd like to transfer to and learn its policies on student transfers.

As part of your application, the university might request information about your current course and modules, a transcript of your studies and an academic reference.

Be prepared for the possibility of having to reapply through UCAS to restart your course, and the financial impact it can have on your student loan funding.

Can I stay on the same course?

Yes, it's often possible to change universities while remaining on the same (or similar) course.

This process is much easier when you're in your first year or between years, as you may be able to transfer credits, which can potentially help you to avoid repeating any coursework you've already completed. However, it's important to remember that it can vary depending on the institution in question.

If you've made it through your first year and are between years, you may be able to start a similar course at a different university in the second year. Be prepared to make a new university application to UCAS, while your academic performance will need to be taken into account.

How to defer while at university

Can I take a year out from studying?

If you have a good reason for taking time out from your studies, you'll likely be granted permission. These extenuating circumstances can include:

• experiencing financial troubles
• feeling stressed
• general unhappiness.

It's often possible to put your studies on hold for anywhere between a term and two years, depending on your circumstances and the institution.

What is the process for taking a year out?

To get started, arrange to meet with your personal tutor to discuss the situation.

You'll need their go-ahead to leave. It's crucial that you don't just stop attending lectures and seminars, as this will likely negatively impact you when you return.

What can I do in my year out from university?

Many students find that a gap year is a worthwhile option. It can allow you to build up savings or gain valuable work experience while evaluating your career options.

If you decide to take a year out, you'll need to inform Student Finance. You're not usually entitled to funding while you aren't studying, but you should be eligible for the missed funding when you return. Contact them directly for more information.

Where to get advice

Whatever you're struggling with, remember that there are always people you can speak to. You can turn to:

• Friends and family - they know you on a personal level and will have your best interests at heart.
• Other students - final-year students on your course could ease (or confirm) your doubts and offer you advice, with the benefit of hindsight. If you're planning to change courses, talking to students on the course you'd like to move to will give you a flavour of what you can expect from the switch.
• Careers service - a careers adviser will discuss how well suited your course is to your career ambitions, and whether taking an alternative course or qualification would be a more worthwhile venture.

Read about the importance of looking after your mental health at university.

Other options to consider

Swapping courses or leaving university entirely isn't always the answer, as there are many ways to improve your situation.

For instance, if you're struggling to balance full-time study with other commitments, consider changing to a part-time course.

Alternatively, if you've missed some classes and have fallen behind, discuss the possibility of repeating a year with your personal tutor.

If leaving is the best decision for you, there's no need to feel embarrassed - university isn't for everyone, and you won't find this out until you've given it a go. However, you'll likely have to think about how to get a job with no experience, unless you've worked previously.

If you still like the idea of studying but would prefer to gain work experience at the same time, you could undertake a degree apprenticeship. Weigh up the pros and cons of going to university or doing an apprenticeship.

Find out more

• Read about getting a job.
• Discover alternatives to university.
• Consider studying a professional qualification.