There is no automatic right to transfer. A student can only transfer to a different department if that department has sufficient spaces left and is willing to offer a place.
Applicants must demonstrate that they are in good academic standing in their current department, meet the academic criteria and requirements for the new Programme, and the application must be approved and signed by both the original and new department.
When a student transfers to a new programme, it is expected that they will complete its full academic requirements. However, it may be possible, to allow some of the credit previously gained to be transferred. The receiving department will make a decision as to whether the modules already taken meet the learning outcomes of the new programme.
If the student is transferring to a programme which is similar to their previous programme then the Special Cases Committee will expect that any repeat study will be avoided if possible. This means that the student may need to replace modules which they have previously studied with elective modules, if they require repeat study.
If it is not possible for the student to start the new programme until the next available opportunity, the student is expected to take a leave of absence for the rest of the session and a Leave of Absence form must be completed.
Applicants must demonstrate that they are in good academic standing in their current department, meet the academic criteria and requirements for the new Programme, and the application must be approved and signed by both the original and new department.
A student enrolled on a research degree programme may request a transfer to a different research degree provided that the transfer takes place before the dissertation, thesis, or other final research is submitted. A coherent and realistic plan for the completion and submission of the thesis within the required period must be submitted.
If the transfer of programme increases or decreases the length of the student’s enrolment period, please ensure that the student has consulted with an Immigration Adviser before taking this step, as the student may be expected to inform the UK border agency of this change.
UK Visas and Immigration – sponsorship compliance:
Changes must be notified to UKVI within 10 days of the University approving the change in circumstance. Academic Departments must allow time for processing to be undertaken on the SITS Student Record system within this 10 day reporting window. All decisions should therefore be communicated to Registry Services as soon as they are known.
All transfer of programme must be on the appropriate form.
If a student wishes to apply for a transfer of programme, they should first approach their supervisor and discuss their options. If the student’s original and new department agree to the programme transfer, the student can then complete Section A on the and forward it to their supervisor and department for completion. The supervisor and department should complete Section B and then forward the form to the student’s new department for completion. The new department should complete Section C and then forward it on approval.
Before the form is submitted please ensure that the following information is included:
Once all the necessary signatures have been obtained, the completed form should be emailed from the Chair Board of Studies/Executive Committee email address (or the Chair Board of Studies must be copied into the email address for the transfer to be processed) to registry-services@york.ac.uk.
Until formal approval is given, the student will remain registered on their current programme and will be expected to comply with all its requirements, including attendance at all classes.
After the Transfer Request has been approved, the student and department will receive a transfer email confirmation, confirming the dates of the transfer and include any conditions that may apply.
Please note: Registry Services is currently working on a project to replace the Transfer Form with an online approval process and so please be aware in future this process will be subject to change.
Who to contact
Special Cases Committee
- Market Square
Tel: 01904 324140
scc@york.ac.uk- Office hours: Undergraduate Term Time 9am - 5pm (Monday to Friday);
- All other times 10am - 4pm (Monday to Friday)
Board of Studies (Transfer cases that do not require Special Cases Committee approval)
- Registry Services
Tel: 01904 322137
registry-services@york.ac.uk
- Office hours: 9am - 5pm (Monday to Friday)