Changing course

First, think about:

• 1. What are your reasons for wanting to change course?
• 2. What were your expectations and why aren’t they being matched?
• 3. Have you given the issue enough time to be resolved?
• 4. Is there anything that might be affecting your judgement?

If you’re unhappy with the quality of your experience, for example, the delivery of your course, you can speak to an SU Advisor about trying to resolve this informally, or making a formal complaint. Have a look at our webpage about making a complaint. 

If there is a reason affecting your wellbeing or mental health, we'd advise speaking to the University Student Support Advice Team.

It's helpful to use the UCAS website (www.ucas.com) to check the entry requirements for the course you're interested in. You could also try to speak to someone on the course, or (if the course is at Bath) speak to the course Academic Rep. Use this link to find a course Rep: Find My Rep

Think about these questions:

• 1. How long will the course last?
• 2. Do I have the entry grades?
• 3. What if the course is full for this year and I need to apply for 2023/24 entry?
• 4. How might this affect any funding you are receiving?

Tell your Academic Advisor you're thinking about changing course. They will probably have supported someone else in the same position and will be able to suggest options based on the academic details of your course. It’s important you don’t ask to leave your current course until you’ve confirmed another course will accept you. 

It's up to you if you want to speak to your current Director of Studies at this point, as they might be able to help resolve any issues. You can ask an SU Advisor if you're unsure and would like a second opinion on whether to speak to your Director of Studies now or later.

Explain your situation by covering three points:

1. Briefly explain which course you want to transfer to and why.
2. Confirm you meet the entry requirements. If you don’t, include your A-Level results (or equivalent) and ask if they would still consider you.
3. Ask if it is possible to transfer to the course this year. The answer will depend on the numbers of students already on the course and if it’s possible to catch up with the work.

This link will help you find the name of a Director of Studies.

The Director of Studies (for the course you want to transfer to) will consider your situation and practical information about the course to decide:

Decision	What to do next
You can transfer this year	Ask for written confirmation (e.g. an email) you will be accepted on to your course and follow Steps 6-9 before you ask to leave your current course.
You can transfer next year	Ask for written confirmation and details of how you should formally apply to the course. Meet your Personal Tutor to ask about your situation before the new course begins. Follow Steps 6-9 before you ask to leave your current course.
You can’t transfer	Ask the Director of Studies if you should apply for the following year. If this isn’t possible, ask if there any similar courses at Bath (or another University) they would recommend instead. This is a good time to speak to a Careers Adviser for expert advice on your options (see Step 6).

If you’re unsure about the outcome from the Director of Studies, you can ask an SU Advisor for impartial advice on what to do next.

Even if you have been accepted on to a new course, it’s wise to use this link to contact and arrange a meeting with a Careers Adviser . You can ask what other students on the course have done after graduating and ideas for things you can do while studying, to ensure you are in the best position to find an enjoyable and satisfying career.

If there’s a break between your courses and you need to move out, you can end your tenancy by:

Type of accommodation	What to do next
University halls	Follow this link to complete an online request to end your accommodation contract early.
Private accommodation with a live-in landlord	Check your licence agreement (contract) to see when and how you need to hand in your notice. This is usually linked to the frequency you pay your rent (e.g. if you pay monthly you usually need to give one months’ notice).
Private accommodation in a shared house or self-contained flat	Check your assured shorthold tenancy (contract) to see if it’s a joint contract with your housemates or an individual contract. Most assured shorthold tenancy contracts are fixed term and usually can’t be ended early. To be released from your contract, speak to your landlord and find a replacement tenant to take over your tenancy.

If you’re unsure what your contract means, you can ask an SU Advisor by emailing your contract to suadvice@bath.ac.uk.

Make a note of the date when you need to find a new house:

Situation when you return	When to apply
You’re returning as a first-year student	You can apply to live in halls in but places aren’t usually guaranteed until closer to the start of the academic year.
You want to rent private accommodation	Most students will start to look for private accommodation in November-December and sign contracts in the spring.

 

Use this link to arrange a meeting with the Student Money Advice Team to check the financial implications of changing course (including tuition fees) and what information you might need to send to the Student Loans Company (or equivalent if you have a bursary or grant).

If you’re an International Student or are sponsored, use this link to arrange a meeting with the Student Immigration Service to check if there are any implications for your visa or terms and conditions attached to your sponsorship which might affect your ability to change course.

Write to the Director of Studies to confirm you wish to leave your course. This is the final step which you should only take when you’ve considered all the points above. Briefly explain why you have chosen to leave and the course you are transferring to.  This link will help you find the name of a Director of Studies.