Changing a university course

Changing a university course

Can you change your course after getting admission?

Yes, it is possible to change your course after getting admission. Know the steps involved, the reasons why students change their course & the impact of course transfers.

And the answer is - yes, absolutely possible! But then, the plan to change course after admission may not be quite as simple as it sounds. Sounds confusing, doesn’t it? Keep reading and we’ll explain in detail.

Reasons why students may want to change their course

There could be several reasons why you want to change your course:

  1. You realize that the course you chose does not align with your interests. You might realize this only after exploring the course a little bit more. You may find that a different course aligns more closely with what you were expecting and were interested in.
  2. You reach the threshold of adjusting to a course you didn’t want to study. Sometimes, students choose courses out of compulsion, due to lack of choice or peer pressure. But once they begin their classes, the realization strikes them that this is not what they eventually want. The next best step is to switch your course.
  3. Career prospects: Sometimes the information you find online or even through news channels, could be misleading. A subject that promises high job prospects in the future, might not necessarily deliver on these promises by the time you complete the course. When you begin to understand this, you might want to switch your course to one that offers better career prospects.
  4. External factors: There could be factors that are not really in your control. Your financial situation might have changed, and you might want to switch to a more affordable course. Your family’s expectations might pressurize you to change your course.
  5. Personal growth: You might have expected the course to be more challenging, exciting and teach you innovative topics. But the curriculum could turn out to be outdated and dull. If this disappoints you and you can’t continue further, you might consider switching your course.

Are one or more of these factors a reason for you to change your course? Speak to our counsellors to understand what the best course of action is in this situation. Simply fill out the form on this page and our experts will be in touch with you.

Factors to consider before changing your course after getting admission

  • First, let's get started with the ‘are-you-sure-about-this’ question. We ask because we don’t want you kicking yourself a couple of months down the line if switching courses turns out to be a BIG mistake and you want to switch back to what you opted for, before! Can’t say we didn’t warn you.
  • Switching courses could be tricky. The process of changing courses won’t be a walk in the park. In certain cases, this back-and-forth may not be possible at all! You read that right!
  • Are you sure about the course you want to switch to? We are talking about your academic future - so please take caution. Research well and talk to professors and students to know exactly what this new course involves and to assess yourself on whether you will be able to do it or not. You can also speak to our experts who have first-hand information about the courses and universities abroad.
  • Did you consider the career prospects? The demand for professionals in that field, the professional growth that you can expect, and the salary and job availability are all factors to consider.
  • Are you ready to face the financial and academic implications? Are there credit transfer policies? Will your new course take longer to complete? Is there a difference in the tuition fee? Will you be able to manage it? If your answer is yes, go ahead and switch your course.

What are the impacts on academics and finances?

  • Eligibility requirements: You would have met the entry requirements for the current course, but it doesn’t make you automatically eligible for the new course that you want to join. The English language requirements or other academic requirements could vary.
  • Seat availability: Is there a vacant seat for you for this new course? If the faculties had completed the admissions to their courses, then it would be difficult to find a vacant seat for you in the new course.
  • Credit transfers: what about the time you spend at the current course? Credit transfers is not possible between all programmes. Before you switch, understand how much of your previous course work will count towards this new course.
  • Duration of studies: Your new course might take you longer to complete, especially if additional course work is involved. You should plan accordingly.
  • Scholarships and tuition fee: the tuition fee for the new course could vary. Changing courses does not guarantee that you continue to be eligible for the scholarship. Check the university’s and scholarship granting authority’s policies regarding the same. How much more does it cost? All this could impact your financial aid or if you are self-financing, then, your budget. You should be aware of the minimum budget to study abroad. We insist you to make some phone calls or write some emails and do what you need to do to get this checked out right away. 

What are the university policies about changing courses after admission?

Universities often have policies for course transfers and it can vary significantly between universities and even between faculties. Check with your university about the criteria, guidelines and deadlines for course switching.

Steps involved in changing courses after getting admission

If you’ve read through all the above and you’re still scrolling down this page, we understand that you are serious about this. So without further ado, we present to you the basic how to’s.

What you need to understand is that each university will have its own process and what we advise you to do is to talk to the Student Services of the university. Trust us, they are the best people to talk to for guidance right now. The procedure generally should be something along these lines:

  1. It will involve you talking to the head of your department about why you feel the need to change.
  2. You will then need to talk to the head of the department in connection with your desired course to see if they accept transfers and to check if you meet their entry requirements.
  3. Then finally- some paperwork to make it official. And ta-da! With this, you should be done!
  4. Of course, be prepared to answer some big questions- it won’t be handed to you on a silver platter. You will have to convince them that this change is the right fit for you.
  5. So get started now. We wish you luck. Do drop us a line or two if you have anything important to add to this or if you would like to get in touch with us. We’d love to hear from you!

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