Transferring your course for full-time undergraduate students

A level transfer means switching to another course at the same academic level. For example transferring from Year 1 of your current course to Year 1 of a new course is a level transfer.

Transferring may result in taking an additional year of study, which could affect your eligibility for tuition fee loans.

You should be eligible for a tuition fee loan for all years of your new course if:

• You have not studied at university level (Level 4 or above) before starting your current course
• You do not hold any previous higher education qualifications
• You have not repeated any years on your current course.

If you have studied at university level before your current course or repeated a year of your current course, you may not be eligible for a tuition fee loan for the first year of your new course. You must check this with Student Finance before registering and becoming liable for fees.

If you’re transferring from Year 1 of your current course to Year 2 of a new course, you should be eligible for a tuition fee loan for all years of your new course.

If you’re transferring from a course with an integrated Foundation Year to one without, this may affect your tuition fee loan entitlement because the foundation year is considered part of your previous study.

If you’re unsure of your funding entitlement, speak to a Student Money Adviser before making any changes.

If your decision to transfer courses is linked to personal circumstances such as illness, bereavement or other serious issues, it’s important to inform Student Finance.

You’ll need to:

• Explain how transferring to a new course will improve your ability to study
• Highlight specific differences between the two courses, such as contact hours, assessment methods or course structure
• Ask Student Finance to consider you for compelling personal reasons (CPR) for the transfer.

For more information, visit Compelling personal reasons.

If you plan to leave your current course and start a new one next academic year this may impact your finances.

If you receive maintenance funding covering the period after your interruption date, the Student Loans Company (SLC) will ask you to repay the overpayment, usually within seven days.

If you don’t repay, the SLC will deduct this amount from your next funding instalment, which may reduce your income and affect your studies.