What You Need to Know About Transferring Universities

Around 5% of UK students don't complete their first year.

If you're one of them — or if you're considering a move mid-course — transferring universities is a well-trodden path and nothing to be embarrassed about.

Whether your course isn't what you expected, your circumstances have changed, or you simply want a fresh start somewhere new, here's everything you need to know before making the switch.

Why Do Students Transfer Universities?

The reasons are as varied as the students themselves. Some of the most common include:

Course dissatisfaction — the teaching style or content isn't what you expected, or you've discovered a different subject you'd rather pursue
Social difficulties — struggling to settle in or make friends (something that affects more students than most people admit — 64% of freshers report feeling nervous about making new friends)
Career changes — realising your degree isn't leading where you want to go
Location or personal circumstances — wanting to be closer to home, or dealing with circumstances that have made your current university unworkable

Can You Transfer in Your First Year?

Yes — transferring during your first year is possible, but it requires more preparation than later-year transfers. Most universities accepting first-year transfers will ask for:

Your GCSE and A-level grades
Transcripts and marks from your current course
Details of all modules you've completed

Can You Transfer in Your Second or Third Year?

Transfers after your first year follow a similar process but are assessed case-by-case. Universities are more likely to accept a transfer if you're applying to a closely related course — your prior study will count and you may be able to enter directly into the equivalent year. If you're switching to a very different subject, be prepared for the possibility of starting from year one again.

Contact the admissions team at your target university directly before submitting any application. They'll be able to tell you whether a transfer is feasible and what year you'd be entering into.

Changing Courses at Your Current University

If you like your university but not your course, it may be easier to change internally rather than transfer entirely. The process typically involves:

Confirming there's space available on the course you want to switch to
Checking you meet the entry requirements (some courses have specific grade requirements)
Getting approval from the relevant department
Agreeing a transfer date with your university
Submitting any internal application forms by the university's deadline

Financial Implications of Transferring

This is where it gets more complicated, and it's worth understanding before you commit to anything. Contact Student Finance England (or the relevant body for your home nation) as early as possible.

How Tuition Fee Loans Are Split When You Transfer

The timing of your transfer affects how your tuition fee loan is distributed between your old and new university. According to the 2026/27 government guidance:

Before the start of Term 1: Your full tuition fee loan goes to the new university
Transfer during Term 1: The new university receives 75% of the loan; your old university retains 25%
Transfer during Term 2: The loan is split 50/50 between the two institutions
Transfer during Term 3: Your old university receives the full loan; the new university receives nothing for that year

Loan Entitlement and Previous Study

Student finance is funded for the standard length of your course plus one additional year (known as the "gift year"). If you've already used some of your entitlement at your first university, that counts toward the total. Switching to a longer course — or having to restart from year one — can mean you run out of funded years before you finish. Make sure you understand exactly how much entitlement remains before you commit to a transfer. Our guide to maintenance loan amounts can help you understand what you're entitled to.

Course Credits and Starting Year

If your new course is similar to your old one, you may be able to transfer accumulated credits and join at the equivalent year. A significantly different course will likely mean starting from year one, which extends your studies and increases the total cost — factor this into your decision.

What to Research Before You Transfer

Before reaching out to universities, make sure you've covered the following:

Does the university accept transfer students? Not all do. Check their admissions page or call them directly.
What are the entry requirements for transfers? These can differ from standard first-year entry requirements.
Is there accommodation available? Moving mid-year can make finding a room significantly harder. Read our student housing guide to understand your options.
What are the application deadlines? Universities set their own deadlines for transfer applications — missing them typically means waiting another year.
How will this affect your student finance? Speak to Student Finance before submitting any application.

International Students: Visa Considerations

If you're an international student, transferring universities has visa implications that domestic students don't face. Your Student visa is tied to your current university as your sponsor — changing institutions means your new university needs to become your sponsor before you can transfer. You'll need to:

Confirm your current visa doesn't expire before you complete the transfer process
Check that your new university holds a valid Sponsor licence
Understand UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) reporting requirements during the transition
Apply for a visa extension through the UK Home Office if necessary

Who Can Help You?

Transferring can feel like a lot to navigate on your own, but universities have people specifically there to help. Don't try to do it alone — reach out to:

Your current university's admissions or student support team
Course tutors or personal tutors at both your current and target institution
Your university's welfare or wellbeing team, especially if mental health is a factor in your decision
The international student support team if you're on a visa

Should You Transfer or Stay?

There's no universal answer. These questions can help you work it out:

Transferring might be the right call if: your career goals have fundamentally changed and your current course won't support them; your university doesn't have the support systems you need; or you've genuinely tried to adapt and it still isn't working.

Staying might make more sense if: finishing your first year would significantly strengthen your application elsewhere; the issues are temporary or could be resolved with more time or support; or the financial implications of transferring are more significant than you initially thought.

If you're at a late stage in the application cycle and transferring isn't feasible this year, UCAS Clearing is also worth understanding — it can open doors to courses and universities you might not have previously considered.

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