|
|
 |
 |
| Academic |
 |
| |
This section is designed to provide you with academic advice and guidance. The information given is general as academic rules and regulations will differ between institutions. You should refer to own University's regulations to find out specific procedures that apply to you.
If you are unsure, you can always contact your student union. The majority of student unions will have some of form advice centre where students can speak to a welfare/student advisor about any problems you have.
Your universities student services will also most likely have people who can help you and give advice on academic matters. |
 Top |
|
| |
| Just Started University |
 |
If you have just started university and do not like your course, there will be an opportunity for you to transfer onto a different course. This will depend on whether you meet the academic requirements, if there are any places available for you and if the department is willing to accept you.
You should also consider why you want to change. Is it the course or the university that you do not like? Students often take a while to settle into university, therefore the first term is often the hardest. This can often impact how you feel about your course. Secondly, the first few weeks of any course are often the most boring. Most of your time will be spent on introducing you to certain modules and subjects. The work that you do will be very basic and you often have less choice over what subjects you can do. So you need to think over why you want to change?
Once you have done this, see procedure for changing course below. |
|
| Top |
|
| |
| Want to Change Course During Studies |
|
If you have already started your course and you decide you want to change, there are a number of issues that you need to consider.
Firstly, why do you want to change? Is it the course or are other factors affecting your decision? What is that you no longer like about your course? If it is an academic issue then you should discuss this with a tutor and see if it can be resolved.
Secondly, you need to think of the financial impact that changing course may have. If you want to start a new course, then you will obviously have to pay tuition fees again (if you pay fess) and also take out another student loan again if you rely on this to support you. If your LEA (Local Education Authority) pays for your fees, then it may be the case that they will not pay the full tuition fees for your new course.
Once you have done this, see procedure for changing course below. |
|
| Top |
|
| |
| Procedure For Changing Course |
|
If you have thought about all the above and still want to change course, you should still speak to a tutor, someone in your department or speak to a student/welfare advisor within your student union. They will discuss the key issues and explain the procedure for changing course.
In general you will have to:
• Contact the admissions tutor for the course that you want to change to see if there are places available and if you have the criteria to get on.
• If it is possible for you to change, then you will have to inform your department.
• You will in most cases have to complete some type of course transfer form an submit this to either your department or the central university student services.
• Once you have transferred you will need to inform your LEA (Local Education Authority).
If you are unsure then you should contact your student union and speak to a student/welfare advisor or contact the university student services. |
|
| Top |
|
| |
| Have Problems During Your Studies |
|
The advice below is not specific to any institution, you should therefore contact the student/welfare support within your institution to get the full facts on what the procedures are for you.
During your studies you may face various problems, which could affect your academic performance. This could include illness, personal problems, stress or you may be facing financial difficulties. Whatever the problem there are procedures in place that can help you deal with the issue so that your studies are not too compromised.
Your institution will have some form of procedure where by you can put forward the fact that you are experiencing problems and your performance is being affected. This is often called ‘Mitigating' or ‘Extenuating' circumstances. You should speak to a tutor or someone in your department about your problem.
There are various things that the department could do to help you. They could allow you extra time to complete your work, if it is coursework or a project. They could allow you to retake your exam again as if for the first time (unlike a resit where you would only be able to achieve the lowest pass grade).
If you think that you have had problems and your performance has been affected, then speak to the student/welfare support within your institution. |
|
| Top |
|
| |
|
 |
|
|
|
|
