Changing your degree programme | University of Reading

There are currently two ways to change your degree programme, depending on the change you would like to make and at what point in your studies you are at.

Re-entry request - If you wish to undertake a new degree programme from scratch at Part 1 (or part 0 if applicable). This process is most often used during this first year of your studies or upon receiving an unsuccessful progression outcome.

Transfer request - If you wish to change the degree programme you are currently studying within the same or next Part of study without beginning again. This is most often used to transfer from a Placement Programme to a non-Placement programme (or vice versa), or from joint honours to single honours/similar programmes. If you are a foundation student and wish to move to a programme within your department for Part 1, this also falls under a transfer request.

If you are thinking about any change to your current degree programme, you should first talk to your Academic Tutor and/or Programme Director/Advisor/School Director of Teaching and Learning. You should also take a look at the relevant Programme Specification(s).

You do not have an automatic right to change degree programme but if you do have the necessary entry qualifications and places are available on the programme of your choice, you may be considered, though you may also be required to take and pass the examinations for the Part of the degree on which you are currently registered, as a condition of that request to change.

Changing your degree programme might have implications on the duration of your study, your fees and/or funding, your Student Support Co-ordinator can give advice on this.

Students studying in the UK on a Tier 4 / Student route visa should also contact the International Student Advisory Team at immigration@reading.ac.uk or at one of their drop in sessions before submitting a request to change degree programme.

Re-entry and Transfer questions you may have

Re-entry FAQs

How do I apply to re-enter?

A re-entry request will be dependent on availability of programmes/modules, entry requirements and any visa issues.

You must check your eligibility and whether the course is still open by going to the course pages and selecting ‘find an undergraduate course' under ‘take the next step'

If there are spaces available on your chosen programme, and you have met the appropriate entry requirements, you are required to complete a re-entry request form it can also be printed. This must be submitted to your student support co-ordinator who can also provide assistance if needed.

Is there a deadline to request re-entry?

The deadline to request re-entry for 2024/25 is the 13 September 2024 at 12 noon.

Any re-entry applications received after this date will be processed but any offer will be for deferred entry in 2025/26.

How many programme choices can I request to re-enter on to?

Students can only submit one re-entry application at a time. If multiple requests are submitted at once, we will not be able to process your application until we have received confirmation of which programme you are requesting to re-enter onto. Depending on proximity to the deadline, this then may result in your application being processed for deferred re-entry in 2025/26.

If your re-entry request is unsuccessful, you can repeat this process to request re-entry to a different programme. Depending on proximity to the deadline, this may mean that any subsequent applications are processed for deferred re-entry in 2025/26.

A total of three re-entry applications a year per student will be considered but you must wait to receive your outcome before submitting subsequent applications.

Will my current study be taken into account when processing my re-entry application?

Yes, if you have completed any modules on your current programme, that feature on the programme you are requesting to re-enter onto, you will be required to carry these modules forward. If you have failed these modules, this may affect the success of your application.

The marks you have achieved on your current programme, as well as any Academic Engagement or Fitness to Study concerns may also be taken into consideration.

For example, re-entry onto programmes within the Henley Business School require you to have achieved an overall part 1 weighted average of at least 50% in your current year at the University of Reading with no fails in any modules OR an overall weighted average of 55% across 100 credits of study in your current year at the University of Reading.

Please note that if you are re-entering before you have completed your current year of study and do not meet the typical offer (as stated on the course page) for your desired re-entry course in your A levels and GCSEs (or equivalent qualification(s)), then achievement in your current programme would likely be specified as a condition of offer.

How will I find out if I have been successful in re-entering?

If your application has been successful, you will receive an offer letter from Admissions via email.

This could either be conditional and have requirements for performance on your current course; or unconditional.

If your application is unsuccessful, you will receive a formal unsuccessful decision letter by email from Admissions.

Do I have to continue on my current programme if I have received a re-entry offer?

When you complete your application, you can indicate whether you wish to continue on your current programme or withdraw from it.

If your offer is unconditional and you have indicated you wish to withdraw, we will withdraw you from the University ready for your re-entry.

If your offer has conditions attached to it, your Student Support Coordinator will be in touch to confirm whether you wish to continue your current programme before withdrawing.

How will re-entry affect my fees?

If you are submitting a re-entry request during the year, you will need to be aware of the fee liability deadlines. If you are planning on withdrawing from your current programme on receipt of a successful offer, please ensure you submit your application at least 2 weeks prior to the fee liability deadline to give us time to process this.

If you are successful in securing a re-entry offer, your fee status (Home or Overseas) will remain the same as the programme on which you are currently enrolled at the University of Reading.

For Overseas students, bear in mind that if you were to change from a non-laboratory course to a course with significant laboratory study or workshop content, your tuition fee amount would be higher accordingly. However, if you were to stay on the same type of course (non-laboratory or laboratory as applicable), you would maintain the same yearly tuition fee amount as you are currently liable for. Read more on fees for subsequent years.

Transfer FAQs

Is there a deadline for making a request to change my degree programme?

If you simply wish to change from a placement programme to a non-placement programme or vice versa and are staying on the same degree subject then transfers can be requested once you know if you have/have not secured a placement so long as they are done in advance of the placement year.

In all other circumstances, students who wish to transfer degree programmes after the third week of teaching in Semester 1 will not normally be allowed to do so within the same academic year. If you have missed the deadline for an ‘in-year’ transfer, but believe there are exceptional circumstances you should talk to your Academic Tutor.

How do I apply for a transfer?

This process may differ depending on the type of transfer you are requesting and the Part of the programme that you are in.

You will need to complete a Degree Transfer Request form authorised by your School Director of Teaching and Learning (or nominee).

Transfer request form print and complete pdf

Transfer request form complete and print word version

If you need assistance, get in touch with your Student Support Co-ordinator who will be able to help.

I am a new student at the university (just started Part 0 or Part 1 as applicable)

If you are a new student at the university (just started Part 0 or Part 1 as applicable) and wish to transfer within the first 3 weeks of Semester 1, please contact your Support Coordinator in the first instance to discuss your transfer to a new programme. This transfer will be dependent on availability on programmes and modules, entry requirements and any visa issues. If you are eligible for the transfer, you will be asked to complete a Degree Transfer Request form authorised by your School Director of Teaching and Learning (or nominee).

Transfer request form print and complete pdf

Transfer request form complete and print word version

I would like to transfer from a Placement Programme to a non-Placement Programme or vice versa

Please complete a Degree Transfer Request form authorised by your School Director of Teaching and Learning (or nominee).

Transfer request form print and complete pdf

Transfer request form complete and print word version

I want to transfer to a different programme after Part 1

Please complete a Degree Transfer Request form authorised by your School Director of Teaching and Learning (or nominee) for the programme onto which you would like to transfer.

Transfer request form print and complete pdf

Transfer request form complete and print word version

I want to transfer from a Joint Honours degree to a Single Honours degree in one of my joint areas

From the end of the 2024/25 academic year, you will be permitted to transfer to a Single Honours degree in one of your joint areas at the end of Part 1, providing you have met the requirements to transfer as set out in the progression section of your programme specification.

You will need to complete a Degree Transfer Request form. This should be submitted at the end of Part 1 and no later than the third week of Semester 1, Part 2.

Transfer request form print and complete pdf

Transfer request form complete and print word version

If you need assistance, get in touch with your Student Support Co-ordinator who will be able to help.

I am in Part 2 or 3 and would like to change to a different programme at the same or next Part

Please complete a Degree Transfer Request form authorised by your School Director of Teaching and Learning (or nominee) for the programme onto which you would like to transfer.

Transfer request form print and complete pdf

Transfer request form complete and print word version

Policy and procedures on students changing degree programme and optional modules.