Student Transfer Policy
Many of the degree structures at the University of Glasgow offer applicants and students a significant level of flexibility in determining the programme of subjects that they will study after having been admitted to the University.
This policy articulates how this flexibility works and what you can and cannot do, post application or post admission to the University.
For the attention of: Any student in the foregoing categories and University staff who may have a role in advising such students.
Policy
TRANSFERS POST APPLICATION AND ENTRY TO THE UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW
Many of the degree structures at the University of Glasgow offer applicants and students a significant level of flexibility in determining the programme of subjects that they will study after having been admitted to the University.
This section articulates how this flexibility works and what you can and cannot do, post application or post admission to the University.
SECTION 1- Applicants to: Arts (M.A.), Social Sciences (M.A. SocSci), Science (B.Sc, MSci), Life Sciences (B.Sc)
Applicants to these degree programmes are offered a flexible degree structure which means that they are not committed to a completely prescribed selection of subjects from the outset of their degree. The structure of these degrees can be found at https://www.gla.ac.uk/undergraduate/choosingyourdegree/artssciencesocialsciences/
A small number of Degree programmes have 2 or more compulsory courses in year 1.
| Degree Programme | Compulsory Subject 1 | Compulsory Subject 2 | Compulsory Subject 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Any Life Sciences Degree Physics Statistics Chemical Physics |
Biology Physics Statistics Chemistry |
Chemistry OR Science Fundamentals Mathematics Mathematics Physics |
. . . Mathematics |
| Astronomy & Physics | Physics | Astronomy | Mathematics |
| Physics with Astrophysics | Physics | Astronomy | Mathematics |
Can I request a change of degree programme (or subject areas) after I have submitted my UCAS application?
The intent behind the flexible degree structure is to give students a level of choice in the additional subjects that they can study when they arrive at University, without requiring them to make decisions in advance (at point of application). Studying a variety of additional subjects can also give the student greater flexibility in what they ultimately graduate in. The intent is NOT to give the applicant / student ‘carte blanche’ ability to radically change from one degree path to another – for example from Physics to English Literature. Students should not apply to the University with the expectation that they will be able to change. Applicants need to think seriously about the ‘prime’ subjects that they wish to study on the understanding that they may not be able to change these after they have confirmed their place. 2 In the event that a student is deeply unhappy with their prime subject choice on arrival, every attempt will be made to help them change but even this cannot be guaranteed. Requests to change will be restricted by the number of students who have been admitted to courses through ‘normal’ admissions processes (i.e. have requested the subject on their UCAS form and completed selection of optional subjects at the start of term). It is more likely that requests to change will be satisfied where the change is to a similar subject: i.e. changes within Arts, Social Sciences or Science rather than changes between Arts and Social Sciences and Science. Under no circumstances will a change be sanctioned where the student did not meet the entry requirements for a degree programme at their point of admission to the University.
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After submitting my UCAS application, but before Registration starts: Prior to 1st August |
January 15th is the UCAS deadline for submitting all applications to the University. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their application is complete and accurate prior to submission. The University is under no obligation to honour changes to applications after they have been submitted to the University – this includes requests to change degree programmes or subject areas. You should contact Admissions to request a change of degree programme. This MAY be permitted in some cases but cannot be guaranteed. |
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Having applied for a specific degree programme or subject on my UCAS form, can I change to a different degree programme or subject when I arrive at the University to Register, or after I have commenced studies on the degree programme I applied to? Between 1st August and the end of Teaching week 2 |
In the event that a change is sanctioned post admission to the University this will be managed by the Chief Adviser of Studies originally responsible for the student. This is regarded as an ‘internal transfer” and the student does not need to submit an application through UCAS. In the event that an internal change is not possible the student will be left with no choice but to withdraw from the University and will be required to reapply through UCAS for admission the following year. In this scenario, SAAS funded students who drop out before the 1st December are considered non-starters and can reapply with no loss of funding. Students with other funding arrangements should check the financial implications with their funding body. |
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I have commenced my studies on the degree programme I applied to, and now wish to change to another degree programme. After the end of Teaching week 2 |
There are 2 possible pathways. 1. Continue your studies for the remainder of the year and apply for an internal transfer for the following academic session. You must meet the entry requirements for a degree programme at their point of admission to the University and any conditions of transfer specified by the College that you wish to transfer to. Transfer is not guaranteed. 2. Withdraw from studies and reapply through UCAS for admission the following year. Students should check the financial implications with their funding body. |
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Can I study a subject in Level 3 and 4 (Honours Level) which is different to the one I applied for on my UCAS form? |
The flexible degree structure allows students who have completed a subject at Levels 1 and 2 to progress in this subject to Junior/Senior Honours even if this subject was not the subject of choice on their UCAS application. The student may have selected (for example) English Literature on their UCAS form and picked History as one of his/her additional subjects in Year 1. Having liked History the student could then study this subject at Level 2. When entering his/her Honours years the student could then opt to study History instead of English Literature (or depending on his/her performance do joint Honours in History/English Literature). This illustrates the level of flexibility the student has without radically altering his/her degree programme. |
No students will be able to transfer into the following Degrees as an internal transfer. All applications for these degrees must be made through UCAS:
Medicine, Dentistry, Vet Medicine, BN (Hons), Education (Teaching) and Law.
Approval, Amendments and Reviews
Date Effective: Session 2016-17
Approved by Chief Advisers Sub-Committee, June 2016; amendment, October 2019