College of Social Sciences

Internal Transfer Policy

The MA (Social Sciences) Internal Transfer Policy should be read in conjunction with the University’s Student Transfer Policy and with reference to the Generic Undergraduate Regulations and the MA (Social Sciences) regulations. 

Students seeking internal transfer into the programme in 2026/27 will be able to apply as follows:

  • Transfer into year 2 or Junior Honours: from June 2026 until Friday, 2 October 2026. No applications will be considered after this date.
  • Transfer into year 1 (repeat year): please refer to the relevant section below.

Additional information is provided below for students who wish to transfer from the MA (Social Sciences) to another programme.

MA (Social Sciences) Internal Transfer Policy

1. Successful applications for internal transfers into year 1 are subject to:

(a) meeting the entry requirements for the degree programme

(b) available capacity on programme for additional students

(c) demonstrable motivation to study the degree plan via the application form and potentially via interview

(d) support from your current Advising Service for transfer.

Students are recommended to apply via UCAS (or equivalent) if the deadline has not passed in light of limited capacity to accept transfers. There is no guarantee that your transfer will be successful.

2. Students may transfer into year 2:

(a) if they have achieved 120 credits in year 1, of which at least 80 are grade D3 or above, and including at least 40 credits of qualifying social sciences courses which will be studied at level 2 in year 2. Students must have completed pre-requisite courses at the appropriate grades to study one other subject at level 2.

(b) on the basis that they will enrol in at least 60 credits of social sciences qualifying courses as part of their year 2 curriculum

(c) normally when the equivalent degree programme is not available in their current School/College

(d) from the BAcc Accounting and Economics or the BFin Finance degrees as follows:

  • if they have achieved 120 credits in year 1, of which at least 80 are grade D or above, including Economics 1A and 1B
  • they will enrol on level 2 courses in Economics and Economic and Social History; ECON1012 and ECON1013; and, 20 other level 1 credits

3. Students may transfer into Junior Honours:

(a) if they are eligible for entry to the Honours level of a relevant degree programme as described in para. 15 of the Generic Undergraduate Regulations

(b) normally when the equivalent degree programme is not available in their current School/College.

4. The MA (Social Sciences) International Relations does not accept internal transfers. 

5. Other requests are considered on a case-by-case basis by the Readmissions and Transfer Committee provided that they do not contravene this policy.

V1.3 - last updated on 15 October 2025

Further information for year 1 students (repeat year)

Year 1 students who wish to leave their existing degree and repeat year 1 as an MA (Social Sciences) student should apply via UCAS by the published deadline. We strongly recommend that you discuss your plans with your Adviser of Studies before making any decisions.

The internal transfer process will open on 1 April 2026 with reference to the policy detailed above for students who meet our entry requirements. 

Further information for year 2 students (planning study abroad)

Year 2 students who plan to transfer to the MA (Social Sciences) and study abroad in their Junior Honours year can proceed with their study abroad application and transfer from June onwards, following publication of results. The policy outlines the requirements for transfer and you can seek advice from your Adviser of Studies/Advising Support Team if required. 

Transferring out of the MA (Social Sciences)

Students may wish to study a degree that is not offered as part of the MA (Social Sciences) and will find relevant information about  internal transfer to other degrees by emailing the relevant contact or consulting web pages as follows:

It is not possible to request an internal transfer to degrees in Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Medicine, BN (Hons), Education (Teaching) and Law. Students must apply via UCAS. 

Students wishing to change their degree plan to another subject while remaining an MA (Social Sciences) student should refer to the Degree Plan Change Request Process.

Contacts

If you have any questions about the internal transfer policy or application process, please contact the MA (Social Sciences) Curriculum Guidance and Support Team via the Help Desk.