Changing or Leaving your Course

Some courses will be open for internal transfers for approximately the first 2-3 weeks of Semester one.  

Not all courses will have available spaces, and some may accept transfers after this time frame. You must first check with the school office for the new course you are interested in.

If the programme is accepting transfers, you will also need to find out the name of the Degree Programme Director (DPD) of the new course.

You will then apply to the DPD directly for consideration. As part of this process, they may wish to speak to you about why you now feel this is the best course for you. It is essential that you can explain your decision to change course in a positive way.

You will also need to show you meet the academic requirements of the course. We suggest adding details of your A Levels and previous module outcomes if applicable in your initial enquiry.

Find details of the programme transfer procedure.

 If you are thinking about changing courses but you are not sure which course is right for you, you can book a guidance appointment with a careers consultant.

Conversations that you have with any member of staff in the Careers Service or Student Services are not shared with academic staff. We offer a confidential service to all students.

It can be beneficial to share your concerns with your Personal Tutor. They may be able to advise and direct you to relevant sources of support or reassure you about future course content.

You may also want to talk to a Careers Consultant about how to approach the subject with your tutor.

Don’t assume employers will view your choice negatively. Employers will respond to your situation based on the information they have available. It is therefore sensible to present your change of course in a positive way.

How you do this will depend on your own circumstances. You could show an understanding of self-awareness and responsibility. You could demonstrate research skills and decision-making in presenting how you took this choice.

You may want to discuss how you present this information to an employer with a Careers Consultant.

This depends on how long you have been studying. If you completed a full year, passed 120 credits and were due to progress to stage 2, you will be eligible for a Higher Education Certificate (CertHE).

If you have completed 2 years of study and passed 240 credits, you would be eligible for a Higher Education Diploma (DipHE).

Contact the University’s Student Progress team for further advice on this.

Employers value both your subject knowledge and the skills and experience you gain as a student.

Many employers will recruit students from any degree course. They will look at what you did during your time at University. and whether you have the transferable skills relevant to the opportunities advertised.

The What can I do with my degree? information on the Prospects website can also be a useful resource to help you to identify these skills and think about career options where your degree would be useful.

If you want to study an alternative course at university, the UCAS Undergraduate What to Study website offers useful advice. Including an easy-to-use course-search tool.

If you need a more flexible study option you can search for part-time, evening and virtual courses on Find Courses. This includes courses in further and higher education, vocational courses and apprenticeships.

If you know where you want to study, most universities and colleges will have an online prospectus or details of courses on their website.

A degree apprenticeship could be another option to consider, allowing you to study while in paid employment.

The UCAS website has useful advice in its What to study section.

When you are researching courses, look at:

• course content
• assessment methods
• skills developed from the course

Talking ideas through confidentially with a Careers Consultant can help you. They can help you to explore the implications of any course change and help you to feel more confident about your decisions.

It is essential that you are able to explain your decision to change course in a positive way.

An admissions tutor will want to talk with you about why you now feel this is the best course for you. Focus on issues such as what interests you about the course and why you will be successful at it, rather than what is wrong with your current course. It can be useful to first discuss how you might approach this discussion with a Careers Consultant.

Speak to the Degree Programme Director (DPD) of the course you wish to transfer to and the DPD of your current course. Be aware that if you are looking to change course at Newcastle, it will be at the discretion of the DPD of the course you’re looking to join.

If in agreement, the respective DPDs then sign the appropriate transfer request forms and manage the process on your behalf. The University’s Student Progress team can support you with further advice on this process.

This will depend on whether the course you are transferring to is similar in nature to your current course. If there are no similarities you will normally be required to start from Stage 1. To move into Stage 2 you will be expected to have passed an appropriate number of credits from the previous year. We recommend that you discuss what is expected of you with the admissions tutor for the course you want to move to.

This will depend on your circumstances and the course and stage you are moving to.

If you are looking to start a new subject from the first year, this is less likely to be a requirement. If you are transferring to a similar subject, you might be expected to show your success in exams.

If you are progressing to the next year of a similar course, you will need to have passed the appropriate number of credits from your previous year.

We recommend that you discuss what is expected of you with the admissions tutor for the course you want to move to.

In theory you can change course at any time, but you may have to wait for the start of a new academic year to change to a different subject. At Newcastle University, it can be difficult to change onto another course after the first few weeks of teaching. This is to ensure you don’t fall behind with your modules. It depends on how similar your new course is to your current one and whether you want to stay within the same year or start again.

You may need to consider the financial implications of staying on or leaving your course:

• if you withdraw or suspend during term 1, you will be charged 25% of the total academic year’s fee
• if you withdraw or suspend during term 2, you will be charged 50% of the total academic year’s fee
• if you withdraw or suspend during term 3, you will be charged 100% of the total academic year’s fee

Visit the University’s Student Financial Support pages for further information. This team also have information on the financial implications of withdrawing from your course on their website.

You can also contact the Student Financial Support team by email: student.fin-supp@ncl.ac.uk or visit their Appointments & Drop-ins page for 1:1 support.

Studying part-time could be a consideration. Which mode of study you adopt will depend on your own circumstances and what institutions have available.

Some institutions and disciplines find it difficult to accommodate part-time study. It is important that you are realistic when you research this option.

If you are looking to transfer your studies at Newcastle University to part-time, you need to seek approval and permission from your DPD. They will be required to inform the University’s Student Progress team.

Part-time courses are studied over a longer period of time than their full-time equivalents. Students spend fewer hours per week in a classroom allowing time to balance part-time employment or other commitments.

You will continue to be considered a PARTNERS student by the University, even if you move to another course at Newcastle.

However, If you are looking to change course, the DPD for the course you want to join will decide what grades are required.

On the whole, academics view PARTNERS students favourably. However they may look at your marks or general university progress when making a decision. For more advice on changing course as a PARTNERS student, contact the Student Recruitment team.

There is a finite list of subjects that can be studied as a Combined Honours programme; it is not possible to study a combination outside of this list.

Studying a Combined Honours programme is a challenging alternative, but it could be possible to transfer over if you can demonstrate commitment and some current academic success at university.

Students need to pass 40 credits of study in an academic subject to progress to stage 2 in that subject, so those transferring after some time at university in single honours are likely to have to start the new subject(s) at stage 1.

You might find it helpful to visit the Combined Honours website and read the information before discussing your interest further with the Combined Honours team.

If this option appeals to you, it is important that you are able to demonstrate why you feel a Combined Honours programme is a more appropriate choice for you.

You are advised to speak with a Careers Consultant who will be able to discuss with you alternative options to studying at Newcastle. You should speak to your Personal Tutor who will ask you to complete a withdrawal questionnaire. This is then sent to the University’s Student Progress team.

Refer back to your Student Handbook and use your Personal Tutor as the starting point. They will be able to advise you about the various University procedures. It can be confusing, as there are different procedures depending on your particular circumstances. Your school will guide you in the right direction.

The Careers Service can help you examine alternative options to your current studies, but if you are unhappy about the university’s decision to ask you to leave your course then you should seek further advice from the Student Advice Centre in the Students’ Union.

A programme transfer onto another course at Newcastle often happens without needing to go through UCAS. You will need to speak to your Personal Tutor or Degree Programme Director (DPD) and the tutor or DPD for the course you want to move to. They can help you to understand whether you will be able to transfer directly without going through UCAS.

Yes, you will normally be required to make an application via UCAS if you want to change university. We would recommend making contact with the admissions tutor for the course you are interested in first. You can discuss your suitability, demonstrate your interest and clarify how they want you to apply.

If you decide to change university during the summer, you should contact the institution directly. This is because the UCAS application process for the academic year will have closed.

You can research opportunities through UCAS Clearing if you are applying for courses at other universities during the summer.

If you decide to reapply, you’ll need to submit a new application through the UCAS website (you will not be able to reuse your previous UCAS application).

You will need a reference unless you contact all of the universities you are applying to and all agree that no reference is required. Your reference should be someone who knows you academically. This could be a tutor from your course or a teacher from your school or college. Who you choose will depend on how long you have been a university student and who can best comment on your academic ability. You may want to discuss your choice of reference with an admissions tutor for the course(s) you are applying to or with a Careers Consultant. For further information, see advice on references from the UCAS website.

If you withdraw from your course, the amount of tuition fees you will be liable to pay will depend on the term in which you withdraw or suspend. Visit the University’s Student Financial Support pages for further information. This team have information on the financial implications of withdrawing from your course on their website. You can also email the Student Financial Support team student.fin-supp@ncl.ac.uk or visit their Appointments & Drop-ins page for 1:1 support.

It depends on whether you remain at this University or move to another one. Each student’s entitlement will vary depending on their individual circumstances. We recommend contacting the Student Financial Support team, you can visit their Appointments & Drop-ins page. You can also seek advice from the Student Union’s Student Advice Centre.

HMRC will look at your tax records and see if your income has reached the current level for repayment. Check current levels for repaying Undergraduate and Postgraduate student loans on the Gov.UK website. If it has, you will then be liable to start paying off your loan.

If you withdraw from your course you will need to notify your assessment authority, e.g. Student Finance England. They will calculate what loan and grant Last updated: May 2021 you were eligible to receive based on your attendance. If you withdraw part-way through the year, you may find that you have been overpaid some of the grant and/or loan. If an overpayment occurs, then you will usually be asked to repay this straight away. You will repay any student loan you received in the normal way, i.e. in the April after you have left the course and when you are earning above the threshold. Visit the University’s Student Financial Support pages and their information on the financial implications of withdrawing from your course for further information.

If you leave your course, you will usually have to pay back some of the money given to you through awards and bursaries that are not considered a loan. This will usually be based on the length of time you were expected to study and the amount of time you actually spent as a student at the University. Each grant-awarding body will have their own rules on this, so find out from your bursary or scholarship provider what their policy is. For example, the Achievement Bursary will be cancelled if you withdraw before the bursaries are paid. If you withdraw after these bursaries have been paid, you will not be asked to repay either of these bursaries.

Visit the University’s Student Financial Support pages and their information on the financial implications of withdrawing from your course for further information.

The University’s Accommodation Service is available to advise you on all aspects of your accommodation.

If you withdraw from the University and are living in University accommodation, you will be charged the full rent on your room for the term.

You will normally only be released from this if the room is re-let to another student. Under the terms of your contract, responsibility for finding a suitable replacement tenant lies with you. The Accommodation Service will make every effort to help you find a replacement tenant however, this cannot be guaranteed.

Please note it is your responsibility to inform the Accommodation Service of your intention to withdraw. Neither your academic school nor Student Progress would automatically notify the Accommodation Service. You may want to consider contacting the Student Advice Centre for issues relating to your private tenancies.

Everybody’s circumstances will be different. It is therefore important that you talk directly with the Accommodation Service.

For advice on your rights as a private tenant, you can book an appointment with a Housing Adviser at the Student Advice Centre in the Students’ Union. The University’s Accommodation Service may also be able to support you with information about rented accommodation.

Employers will often spot gaps in education or employment on a CV, so it is usually wise to account for that time. Use dates to clarify when you were studying at a specific institution. Highlight the skills you acquired or the relevant knowledge you developed as part of any course or module you studied. Describing your reasons for changing or leaving a course may be more appropriate for a covering letter than a CV. If you’d like to chat further about how to present this positively to an employer, you may find it useful to speak to a Careers Consultant.

A covering letter can be used to outline your reasons for changing or leaving your course. It gives you more opportunity to explain your decision than a CV does. Aim to present your decision in a positive way. Perhaps highlight your decision-making and research skills, as well as your self-awareness. It can be positive to demonstrate that you can recognise a dilemma and weigh up your options and take a decision. Aim to show what you have gained from taking responsibility and addressing this issue.

If you’d like to chat further about how to present this positively to an employer, you may find it useful to speak to a Careers Consultant.

The National Careers Service offers impartial information, advice and guidance. They can help you to make decisions on learning, training and work opportunities.

Apprenticeships are a great way to train on the job and gain qualifications with a partner university or college while getting paid. You can apply for degree apprenticeships at level 6 (bachelors) and level 7 (masters). You can find opportunities on the following websites:

• Gov.UK
• Careermap
• notgoingtouni

It may also be worthwhile researching employers as some vacancies may appear on an employer’s own website.

Volunteering is also a great way to learn more about an organisation. You can prove your capabilities and make useful contacts to assist you in your job search.

Talk to a careers consultant

You may find talking to a careers consultant a useful and impartial next step. It could help you to understand your options and decide the best way forward. We can highlight resources to help you, including course directories and employment opportunities.

It may also be helpful to speak to some of the following people to inform your decision:

• your personal tutor
• admissions staff for alternative courses you might be considering
• a Student Wellbeing or Student Advice Centre adviser
• friends, family or other close contacts

students on alternative courses you might be considering

The Student Wellbeing team can provide:

• counselling services
• disability and dyslexia support

information and advice on healthcare matters, faith and all aspects of funding and finance

Newcastle University Chaplaincy offers a confidential listening and support service. Students of all faiths or without can access this.

There are study skills resources available from the University's libraries.

Access resources, advice and one-to-one support on numerical and mathematical skills from Maths Aid.

The Academic Skills Team provides resources, advice and one-to-one support on a range of academic and study skills.

English language support for international students is available from In-Sessional English.

The Student Advice Centre offers free, impartial advice and representation. Access support on a range of issues including finance and academic matters.