Transferring Universities After The First Year? Here’s What You Should Know

If you're transferring universities after the first year, this is what you need to know about switching institutions. It's important to make sure this is the right decision, as freshers always take time adjusting!

The first year of university is for many one of the most fun-filled years of student life. From Freshers Week, to living with a bunch of people you’ve never met before, there is almost always some bizarre story to tell. Although not everyone’s university experience is plain sailing and for some, the university itself may not be for them. It is sometimes possible to move universities between years, depending on how similar the two courses at each university are. This doesn’t necessarily mean that you must drop out of university completely and reapply. Thankfully, things have been made much simpler than that. Here are a few essentials you should know if you’re thinking about transferring universities after the first year!

1. Contact the university you wish to transfer to.

A transfer between universities is of course only going to be possible if the university you wish to relocate to is a-OK with you doing so. The first step in your transferring process should therefore be to contact that university.

This can be done through UCAS where there is an option to select which year you wish to start on (second, of course).

2. Make sure you find the right university for you.

If you’re going to through what some would describe as a bit of a hassle, you’re going to want to make sure the university you do transfer to is going to be the most advantageous.

Coursefindr is a great website for finding the right university for you. They even have a Rankings page where every university in the UK has been ranked, beginning with the best.

3. Consider why you want to transfer.

Try not to sugar coat things. Give the whole transferring process some real thought and ask yourself are you looking to transfer because of the original university, or is university in general just not for you?

Some things just aren’t meant to be. You shouldn’t feel bad about that.

The amount of students who consider a transfer of either course or university during or after their first year of study is surprisingly high. It is an intimidating transition from high school to university after all. Switching direction in life isn’t a bad thing however and sometimes it works out for the best. So whatever you do, do what is best for you.