Criteria and conditions

Criteria and conditions

There is no automatic right for a student to transfer programmes. The initial decision on whether not a transfer is possible is made by the Admissions Tutor for the new programme, who will also consider whether or not there is space on the programme the student wishes to transfer to, whether the student meets the entry requirements for that programme, and what the student's academic standing is on their existing programme. 

Taught student transfers needing Special Cases Committee (SCC) approval

1.  SCC approval is required for any transfer request where the student is transferring into a new programme after the first five weeks of that programme, if the transfer would result in any:
   • repeat study (ie repeating any study/content the student has studied in their original programme);
   • exemption from assessment (assessment(s) that were due to take place imminently are now avoided due to the timing of the transfer);
   • missed essential teaching (essential teaching as defined in the programme specification for the new programme has been missed and will not be repeated);
   • waiving of credit (the student is going to be missing credit as a result of the transfer).
2. SCC approval is required for all transfer requests after the end of Stage 2 of a taught programme.
3. Even where conditions (1) or (2) are met, SCC approval is not required where:
   1. The student has no option but to transfer because they have not met the progression requirements on their existing route, and an alternative route is built into the programme, eg where a student is transferring from an integrated Masters to a Bachelor’s route having not met the required Stage average to continue with the Masters programme;
   2. The transfer is a straightforward route change or degree title change within the same academic department, and the teaching received on the new route is the same as the teaching received on the original route.

The Full SCC Transfer Policy for Taught Students can be viewed here: SCC Transfer Policy for Taught Students October 2021 (PDF , 116kb)

Undergraduates/Taught postgraduates

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 (where student is moving to a 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.

• Leave of Absence (MS Word , 98kb)‌
• Leave of Absence (PDF , 260kb)‌

Taught students who have failed and want to transfer

Where a student has failed to meet the progression requirements for their programme, has exhausted all reassessment opportunities, and has been withdrawn from their programme, a programme transfer will not normally be permitted. Instead the student will be required to apply as a new applicant to any other programme they wish to join within the University.

There are two exceptions to the above:

1. Where a transfer is provided for within the programme regulations, the transfer will be permitted;
2. Where a student has had an academic appeal upheld in relation to their original programme of study. Once reinstated onto their original programme of study, they may request permission to transfer to a different programme, (notwithstanding that there is no automatic right to transfer programmes). Permission to transfer to a new programme of study is not a possible outcome of an academic appeal however. Rather, any transfer would need to be agreed via a separate process once the academic appeal had been resolved. 

Where a student has failed to meet the progression requirements on their existing programme but has not yet been withdrawn from their programme, they may apply to transfer programmes. Any transfer agreed in these circumstances can only be processed if the following has taken place before the student is withdrawn from their existing programme of study:

• The transfer has been approved by the Chairs of Board of Studies/Graduate Schools Board or their nominees for both the original and new programmes; 

and

• the transfer form has been completed and signed by all parties;

and 

• where required, Special Cases Committee approval has been granted.

If the above have not taken place before the student is withdrawn, the student will normally have to reapply as a new student for entry onto another programme within the University.

Where a student has failed to meet the progression requirements on their existing programme of study, but is still eligible to apply for a transfer (ie has not yet been withdrawn from their programme of study), permission to transfer to any programme of study where there is an overlap in content between the original and new programme (whether or not both programmes are within the same academic department) will not normally be approved since this constitutes repeat study.

Postgraduates - Research

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.

Tier 4 (Student) visas

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.

• For more information please see the immigration website

Advice on transfers

Students who are considering a programme transfer are advised to talk with their supervisor in the first instance, and may wish to contact a Student Adviser for advice about the financial implications of transferring. Find out how to contact a Student Adviser.

How to apply

How to apply

All transfer of programme applications 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 (where applicable) agree to the programme transfer, the student can request the transfer through e:Vision.

Students studying with the Hull York Medical School or the Centre for Lifelong Learning should request a transfer through a paper process below using the paper form (see tab 1).

Before the form is submitted please ensure that the following information is included:

• Confirmation that the details the student has entered, including the start date of the proposed transfer are correct;
• A signed copy of the Transfer Disclaimer Form;
• List any repeat study required, exemptions from assessment, missed essential teaching or waiving of credit that apply to the transfer;
• Information regarding student’s academic standing in the current department

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.