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Thinking about Dropping Out

Everyone has bad days, but if you consistently feel that you can't cope with life at University, then you should look at your options. You may decide that dropping out of University altogether is the best option. However, it may be that the course or University is the real problem and that a more suitable option is to transfer. Whatever you decide to do, you can speak with one of the Ask advisers in total confidence.

Transferring to another course

Quite often students arrive at University and find out that their course is not at all what they expected it to be. If you realise this early on then you're in a good position to change course.
The first crucial requirement is that you fulfil the entry requirements (i.e. have high enough grades) for the course you wish to change to. You can find these on the University website www.strath.ac.uk or by checking the prospectus.
The next step would be to speak to your advisor of studies if you know who that is, and ask for their advice on what you should do. If you are trying to change to another course at Strathclyde, in most cases it is possible to have an internal transfer between departments but it is not unusual to have to reapply through UCAS for a place on the new course.
If an internal transfer seems more likely then the usual procedure is that you send a request letter to the Head of Department asking to transfer to their course. You should obtain a curriculum change form from Registry, delete all the old classes and enter all the new ones. You will have to get the form signed by your new Advisor of Studies and possibly your old one giving you permission to transfer.
There is no set procedure for changing course but you will find that your Advisor of Studies and Registry will play the biggest roles in helping you change course. Another important thing is the actual workload itself. You may choose to continue studying your old classes until you know for sure you are changing, or you may ask to attend your prospective classes in the interim. This will also give you a feel for the course in case you think you are making a mistake.
If you decide to change course well in to your first year and are not able to catch up with the new course in the current academic year, you can come out of your current course and start the new course in the following academic year. This is commonly referred to as a false start and in most cases you will be able to receive funding and loans for the year as if it were your first academic year.
If you are changing your course it is important that you get a letter confirming your place on the new course to send to your funding body so that they can process your false start. Sometimes if your initial course is closely related to the one you wish to do you may be allowed a second year entry, although this is quite rare and you will need to negotiate with the Departments involved.

Changing Universities

Sometimes students may realise that it is not the course they are unhappy with but rather it could be the University or city in which they are studying. It is possible to move between Universities and carry credits between institutions. However it would be very unwise to give up your place without making an approach to your new institution and having definite confirmation of a place within that University or College.
It is also important to note that different institutions have different systems of accreditation and you may find that you will have to repeat a year of the course. This could potentially have implications on your funding and student loans.
If you have any queries or problems then feel free to contact us at ask@theunion.strath.ac.uk.