Changingorleaving

yourcourse

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

Contents
1Introduction

6Takingabreakfromstudy

Whatsthisguideabout?

2Unsureaboutyourcourse?
Whatswrong?

CASESTUDY:GARY

3
4

3Beforemakingadecision
Consideryouractions

Developacareerplan

Helpisathand

Checklist:beforemakingadecision
Checklist:beforeleavingyourcourse
Checklist:beforechangingyourcourse
CASESTUDY:JESSICA

4
4
5
5
5
5
6

4Makingthemostofyour
presentcourse
Canyouadaptthecourse?

Howcanyouchangethecourse?
!"#$%&'$(")*$+,*$-#".$/'0,1$ $
3#4&%$0+'5*#+$.67*$ $
$
$
8655*#$9*#*-+0$&7$0+'5%$ $
$
:#;<*"0*$%&'<$*(/.&%"96.6+%$
$
Continuingbyadifferentroute
Creditforwhatyouvestudied

6
6
2
2
2
2
8
8

Reasonsfortakingabreak
Usingyourtimeouteffectively
CASESTUDY:STEPHANIE
Financialconsiderations

11
11
12
12

7Leavingyourcourse
Makingtherightchoice

13
Whatcanyoutakefromthisexperience?13
CASESTUDY:RICHARD

13
Lookingforjobs

13

8Implicationsofleaving
Frequentlyaskedquestions

Financialimplications

Scottishfunding

Checklist:whenleavingyourcourse

14
14
15
16

9Sourcesofadviceandhelp
Sourcesofhelpatyourinstitution
@+,*<$0&'<;*0$&7$,*./$
$
$

16
>2

10Contactsandresources
Bibliography

18

5Choosinganalternativecourse
ShouldIstayorshouldIgo?
Changinginstitution

Checklist:applyingforanothercourse
CASESTUDY:ANNE

=,"+$67$+,*$;&'<0*$60$+&&$567-;'.+1$
CASESTUDY:CLARE

8
9
9
10
>?
10

Writer:ColinDewar(UniversityoftheWestofScotland)
Editor:CarolRowe(AGCAS)
Datelastupdated:$"'+'(#$A??2
ContentcopyrightoforlicensedtoAGCAS(www.agcas.org.uk)
Toviewthetermsandconditionsforthematerialprovidedinthispublication,pleasesee:
www.agcas.org.uk/disclaimer
TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

1Introduction
Whatsthisguideabout?
Ifyourereadingthis,youreprobably
feelingunsureaboutyourcurrentcourse
5&#B+$/"#6;C$D"#%$0+'5*#+0$-#5$+,"+$,6E,*<$
educationisnotforthem.Helpisavailable
withinyouruniversityorcollegetoensure
thatyoumaketherightdecisionsfromhere.
Youmaysimplyhavemadethewrongcourse
choice,orhavechangedyourmind,and
switchingtoanothercoursemightbeeasier
thanyouthink.
Whateveryoursituation,thisguidewill
provideyouwithpractical,easytofollow
advicetohelpyoumaketherightchoices
atwhatsprobablyaprettystressfuland
confusingtime.

2Unsureaboutyour
course?
Whatswrong?
Thetermsafetyinnumbersoftenprovides
reassurancesoitmayhelptoknowthat
yourenotaloneinthewayyourefeeling.
Otherstudentshavegivensomeofthe
followingreasonsforwantingtochangeor
leavetheircourse:
F$ Subject
Itsnotwhatyouthoughtitwouldbelike
+,*$G&<)$60$+&&$*"0%H567-;'.+I$%&'$-#5$6+$
boringyourejustnotinterestedinitany
more.
F$ Course
Theassessmentstyledoesntsuityou
youdontlikethelecturersorlecture
stylesthewayyouretaughtisnttoyour
likingthecourseseemspoorlyorganised.
F$ Personal
Yourehomesickorlonelyyoufeeloutof
%&'<$5*/+,I$%&'$-#5$6+$567-;'.+$+&$9"."#;*$
commitments,e.g.travellingtouniversity
orparttimework.

F$ Financial
Youcantaffordtopaythefeesforyour
+'6+6&#$&<$";;&((&5"+6&#I$%&'$-#5$6+$
567-;'.+$+&$/"%$7&<$+*J+9&&)0$&<$(**+$
yourgeneraldailyexpensesyouhave
childcareexpensesyoureworriedabout
gettingintodebt.
F$ Career
Yourehavingsecondthoughtsaboutyour
chosencareerpathyoufeelanother
0'94*;+$("%$9*$(&<*$9*#*-;6".$+&$%&'<$
careerprospects.
F$ Institution
Theuniversityordepartmentistoobig/
smallyouprefertostudyinthecity/
countryyouraccommodationisntwhat
youexpected.
F$ Disabilityorhealthissues
K&'$("%$-#5$%&'$#**5$"5"/+"+6&#0$+&$
yourstudy/livingspaceyoufeelunableto
copeemotionally.
F$ Maturityvsyouth
Youfeelunsuitedtothecourseasallyour
;."00("+*0$"<*$&.5*<H%&'#E*<I$%&'$-#5$
6+$567-;'.+$+&$9"."#;*$0+'56*0$G6+,$7"(6.%H
homecommitmentsyoufeeloutof
/.";*$&#$+,*$;&'<0*I$%&'$-#5$+,*$;,"#E*$
betweenschoolanduniversityhardto
dealwith.
Therearemanyotherreasons,butyoumay
seeheresomesimilaritiestothewayyoure
feeling.Behonestandtrytothinkwhatitis
aboutyourcurrentsituationthatmakesyou
wanttochange.Thiswillhelpyoutomake
therightdecisionandidentifythebestperson
tospeaktoformoreadvice.
Oneimportantthingtorememberisnotto
feelaloneorunsupported.Staffareavailable
inyourinstitutiontohelpwithallthese
issues.Sogetsomeguidance.Leavingthe
coursewithoutanysenseofwhereyoure
goingnextoftenmakesthesituationworse.
Finally,actassoonaspossible.Ifyoure
goingtochangecourseorleave,itsoften
*"06*<$+&$5&$0&$*"<.%$6#$+,*$-<0+$0*(*0+*<L$
G,*#$6#M-..6#E$+&$&+,*<$;&'<0*0$60$(&<*$&7$"$
possibility.Youlllearnmoreaboutthisinthis
informationguide.

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

CASESTUDY:GARY
S"<%$0+"<+*5$'#6P*<06+%$"+$>2L$7**.6#E$0'<*$
aboutthelawcoursehewasstudying
becausehewantedtojointhepolice.He
quicklyfeltthathedmadeamistake.He
foundthelectureswerentwhathewas
interestedinandhecouldntadjustto
thechangeinculturebetweenschooland
university.
Hespoketohiscareersadviserinhisfourth
weekatuniversity,whoinformedhimthat
#&$0/*;6-;$5*E<**$0'94*;+$G"0$<*W'6<*5$7&<$
hischosencareer.Havinglookedatother
possibilities,Garyfoundacourseincriminal
justice.Hespoketothelecturerconcerned
andhadtransferredcourseswithinaweek!
Hewasalsoabletodiscussthingslikethe
+6(*+"9.*$&7$,60$#*G$;&'<0*L$"#5$-#5$&'+$
exactlywhatwouldbeexpectedofhim.Gary
knewhisreasonsforchoosingalawcourse,
buthadnotresearchedotherpossibilities.

Developacareerplan
Itsimportanttoexplorehowyourstudies
-+$6#+&$%&'<$.&#E*<M+*<($;"<**<N$O"+,*<$+,"#$
justdecidingthatyoudprefertodoadegree
inhistoryinsteadofsociology,orchemistry
insteadofbiology,takethisopportunityto
seewhatcareerpossibilitiescouldfollowfrom
thesubjectinwhichyouareinterested.
Lookmorewidelyattheoptionsthatwould
suityouandcheckoutindetailanycareers
%&'BP*$65*#+6-*5N$Q**$+,*$RS!RQ$@/+6&#0$
Q*<6*0$"#5$RS!RQ$@;;'/"+6&#".$T<&-.*0$6#$
yourcareersserviceandonwww.prospects.
ac.uk/links/Optionsandwww.prospects.
ac.uk/links/Occupationsformoredetails
aboutwhereyourdegreecanlead.
Theremaybeotherfactorsaffectingyour
careerplanningwhichyoullalsohaveto
consider,suchasdependants,geographical
.&;"+6&#L$-#"#;*L$560"96.6+%$&<$,*".+,$600'*0N$
Studentservicesstafforyouracademic
guidancetutorsmaybeabletohelpor
directyoutoappropriateservicesinsuch
circumstances.Eitherway,helpisavailable.

Headmitshewaslucky,becausehehad
consideredjuststoppingattendinglectures
andhuntingforajob.Takingearlyadvice
Onceyouhaveconsideredyourcareer
meantthathefoundacourseheenjoyedand &/+6&#0$%&'$("%$-#5$+,"+U
onethatsuitedhisfuturecareerambitions.
F$ Yourcurrentcourseisappropriate
Manyemployerswillrecruitgraduates
fromanydiscipline.Theylookforcore
skillssuchasresearch,communication
andorganisationalskills,combinedwith
theintellectrequiredtostudyatdegree
level,aswellasanypersonalorvocational
onsideryouractions
experienceyouvegained.(Seethe
0*;+6&#0$&#$V8655*#$9*#*-+0$&7$0+'5%B$"#5$
Makingahastydecisionmaybesomething
Increaseyouremployabilityformore
youlivetoregret,sothinkcarefullybefore
information.)
youchangeorleaveyourcourse.Tryto
F$ Studyingforadegreeisnot
identifythebestpersontospeaktoabout
appropriate
%&'<$06+'"+6&#$&<$567-;'.+6*0L$9*;"'0*$6+$("%$
K&'$("%$-#5$+,"+$+")6#E$+6(*$&'+$+&$
bepossibletoresolvethings.Byspeaking
gainrelevantexperiencemightbemore
toanappropriatememberofstaff,youll
advantageousforyou.Thiswilldependon
alsobeabletogetthefactsandmakefully
thetypeofcareeryouwishtopursue,and
informeddecisions.
whereyouareonyourcurrentcourse.For
instance,ifyoureoverhalfwaythrough,
itmaylookbettertoanemployerand

3Beforemakinga
decision
C

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

9*#*-+$%&'$(&<*$&#$"$/*<0&#".$.*P*.$+&$
completeyourstudies.

Helpisathand

F$

Youcanaccesscareersguidanceand
informationinpersonatyouruniversity
careersserviceorviatheweb.Itsperhaps
bettertotrytospeaktoacareersadviser,
sinceleavingorchangingcoursewilloften
haveotherimplications,andyoushouldget
asmuchinformationaspossible.
F$
Studentservicesalsoofferhelpandinclude
("#%$&7$+,*$7&..&G6#E$5*/"<+(*#+0U$-#"#;*I$
counsellingcareersstudyskillsoreffective
learningdisabilityadvice,medicaladviceand
chaplaincy.

Checklist:beforemakinga

F$

decision
Thereareanumberofthingsthatyoushould
5&$9*7&<*$(")6#E$"#%$-#".$5*;606&#0N$X,*$
followingadviceshouldhelpyousustainyour
studieswhateveractionyoudecidetotake.
F$ Whereverpossible,continueattending
lectures,practicalsessionsandtutorials
andhandinallyourassignmentson
time.Ifyoudecidetostayonthecourse,
youwanttobedoingaswellaspossible.
Ifyoudecidetochangecourses,youmay
needtoaskyourcurrentcoursetutor
forareference,whichwillneedtobeas
positiveaspossible.Youmayalsobeable
+&$E"6#$;<*56+$&<$"$;*<+6-;"+*$7&<$*.*(*#+0$
ofyourcurrentcourse,butonlyifyou
actuallycontinuetopassthem!
F$ Seekadviceassoonaspossiblebut
particularlybeforemakinganymajor
decisions.Appropriatepeopleareusually
yourcoursetutor,careersadviser,
0+'5*#+$-#"#;*$"5P60*<L$;&'#0*..&<$&<$
disabilityadviser.Someuniversitiesand
collegeshaveotherstaffwhospecialisein
helpingstudentsdevelopbetterlearning,
studyandexamtechniques.Youshould
5*-#6+*.%$;&#0'.+$%&'<$0+'5*#+$0*<P6;*0$
departmenttoseewhathelpisavailable.
F$ Familyandfriendsmayalsobehelpful
astheyoftenknowandunderstandyou

F$

betterandcanhelpyougettothebottom
ofthereasonsforyourdissatisfaction.
(Forfurtherdetails,seethesectionon
Sourcesofadviceandhelp.)
Ifyoureanewstudentandthinkyouve
madethewrongcoursechoice,seek
adviceassoonaspossible.Speakto
academicstafforyourcareersadviser,
becausetheyllbeabletoadviseyouon
coursecontentandprogressionroutes.
Dontbeafraidtospeakup,andthe
earlierthebetterbecauseyoumaybe
abletoswitchtoanothercourse.
Ifmoneyisyourmainissue,inmostcases
youcanapplyforastudentloan.You
shouldalsoaskatyourcurrentinstitution
aboutaccessandhardshipfunds.Finance
advisersand/oryourstudentunionshould
beabletohelpwiththis.
S"+,*<$6#7&<("+6&#$"9&'+$+,*$-#"#;6".$
(andother)implicationsofanymove.
(Forfurtherdetails,seethesectionon
Implicationsofleavingyourcourse.)This
isimportantbecauseleavingacoursecan
affectfuturefundingentitlements.
Ingeneral,ifyourenearingtheendof
yourdegree(orevenneartheendofa
currentacademicyear)andfeelableto
continue,itsprobablybettertodoso.
Evenifyounolongerwanttotakeyour
degreesubjectfurtherorarelikelytoget
"$.&G*<$5*E<**$;."006-;"+6&#$+,"#$%&'B5$
haveliked,itwilllookbettertohave
gainedsomethingfromyourstudiesthan
quitneartheend.

Checklist:beforeleavingyour
course
F$
F$
F$
F$
F$

Talktolecturersandcareersadvisers.
Q**)$"5P6;*$7<&($%&'<$-#"#;*$0*<P6;*N
Lookatotherworkorstudyoptions.
Developyourcareerplan.
Considertakingabreak,andreturningto
study.

Checklist:beforechangingyour
course
F$ Checkthenewcoursemeetsyourneeds.
F$ 3#0'<*$6+$0"+60-*0$%&'<$;"<**<$

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

requirements.
F$ Researchwhichmoduleoptionsyoull
take.
F$ Askyourself,CanIstickoutthecourse
Imdoing?maybeitsjustonesmaller
elementinitthatyoudislike.
F$ Wouldadifferentuniversity,butthesame
subject,bemoresuitable?
F$ Wouldadifferentmodeofattendancesuit
youperhapsstudyingparttime,and
gettingajob?

CASESTUDY:JESSICA
IenrolledatBangorUniversitytostudyfor
adegreeinreligionandtheologybutafter
twoweeksIdecidedthatIwantedtomove
backtomyhometown.Imissedmyfriends
andfamilyandknewIdidntwanttospend
thenextthreeyearslivingawayfromthem.
:$0/&)*$+&$(%$/*<0&#".$+'+&<$"#5$,*$G"0$-#*$
abouteverythinghewasverysupportive
andsaidhedratherIstudiedatadifferent
universityandbehappy,thanstayatBangor
andbeunhappy.

whenmakinganynewdecisions.Support
isavailable,evenifitstohelpyoumove
toanotheruniversityorcollege,ormake
contactwithstafforagencieswhocan
providehelpwithotherissues.

4Makingthemostof
yourpresentcourse
Canyouadaptthecourse?
Ifingeneralyouenjoythecourse,butyou
feelthatsomeelementsarentrightforyou,
seeifyoucanmakealterationstoitbefore
decidingtoleave.

Howcanyouchangethecourse?

F$ :7$%&'B<*$6#$+,*$-<0+$%*"<L$+,*$(&5'.*0$%&'$
560.6)*$&<$-#5$+&&$567-;'.+H+&&$*"0%$"+$+,*$
momentmaynotfeatureinlateryears.
Theremaybeamuchwidervarietyof
modulesforyoutochoosefromduringthe
laterstagesofyourdegreeyoushould
checkthiswithyourcoursetutor.
Iresearchedthecourseinreligionand
F$ Ifyouretakingjointhonours,itmay
theologyatManchesterUniversityandthen
bepossibletoswapmajorandminor
;&#+";+*5$+,*$;&'<0*$+'+&<N$R+$-<0+L$6+$G"0$
subjects.
567-;'.+$+&$0.&+$6#$G6+,$+,*$#*G$;&'<0*L$"0$:$
F$ Ifyouretakingamodulardegreecourse,
wasthreeandahalfweeksbehind.Butthe
youmaybeabletoalterthesubjectsyou
lecturerswerereallysupportivetheygaveme
studyquitequickly.
allthecoursenotesIdmissedandallowed
F$ Mostcoursesincorporatemoreoptions
metohaveanextensiononsomeofthe
astheyprogress,soyoumaybeable
coursework.
totailorthecoursemorecloselytoyour
interests.
Ifyourethinkingofmovinguniversityor
F$ Ifyourestrugglingwithstudyatdegree
leavingyourcourse,Idrecommendthatyou
.*P*.L$%&'$("%$-#5$+,"+$+,*<*B0$,*./$
reallythinkaboutwhyyoureunhappywith
availablewithstudyskillsyoushould
yourpresentsituationanddosomeresearch
contactyourpersonaltutororeffective
onwhatoptionsareopentoyou.
learningserviceforadvice.
F$ Findoutifitspossibletotailoryour
dissertation,projectsoressaystoyour
Thisguideshouldhelpyouwithmanyof
plannedcareerdirection.Thiswillhelp
theseissues.Aboveall,dontacthastily.
bridgethegapbetweenyourstudiesand
Youshouldnotrushintomakingadecision
youreventualcareer.
instead,researchalltheoptionsopentoyou
andconsidereachonecarefully.Choosing
andapplyingforyourcurrentcoursetook
somethoughtandeffortandyoullneedto
applythesamethoughtandcarefulplanning

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

C!"#$%&#'!()#*+)#,"!-#.&/+0

F$ Academicknowledge
Ifyourdegreecourseisacademic(e.g.
sociologyorhistory),youllacquire
Ifyourenearingtheendofyourcourseor
adetailedknowledgeofyoursubject
year,rememberthatyourcareeroptions
andtheabilitytoundertakeindepth
arewiderthanyourdegreesubject.Even
research,evaluateinformation/dataand
ifyounolongerenjoyyoursubject,your
;&(('#6;"+*$%&'<$-#56#E0N
degreemayenableyoutogointoawide
F$
Extracurricularexperience
rangeofothercareers.Manyemployersand
Universityisagreatopportunityto
postgraduatecoursesareopentograduates
getinvolvedwithsportsteamsand
ofanydiscipline.Youllstillneedtodoyour
societiesandtotakeanactivepartin
bestonthecourse,asmanyemployersor
therunningofyourcourseasastudent
courseproviderswillbelookingforagood
representative.
classofdegreeandyoumaystillneeda
F$ Paidworkexperience
referencefromyourcoursetutor.
Youmayneedtoworkduringtermtime
7&<$-#"#;6".$<*"0&#0$"#5$(&0+$0+'5*#+0$
Ifyoureclosetotheendofanacademic
workduringvacations.Yourprimary
year,itsworthstickingitout,sinceyoumay
motivemaybemoney,butyoullpickup
E*+$"$;*<+6-;"+*L$&<$"+$.*"0+$9*$"9.*$+&$*#+*<$
valuabletransferableskills,andexperience
atanadvancedstageonanothercourselater,
thatsrelevanttoagraduatecareer.
atatimethatsuitsyou.
F$ Voluntarywork/workplacements
Yourcoursemayofferaworkplacement
njoystudentlife
oryourcareersserviceorstudents
unionmayhavelinkswithlocal
Employerslookformorethanadegree
voluntaryorganisationsorcharities.
whenrecruitingtheyalsoseekcore
Activitiesincludeanythingfromclearing
skillsthattheyconsiderimportant.Togain
woodlandtoworkingwithchildrenfrom
thenecessaryskillsandincreaseyour
deprivedcommunities.Thiscanprovide
employability,participateintherangeof
acrucialadvantageinapplicationsfor
activitiesandopportunitiesthathigher
jobsorpostgraduatecourses,wherea
educationpresents.
W'".6-;"+6&#$/.'0$<*.*P"#+$*J/*<6*#;*$60$
oftenessential.
122)"#3)"),*/#%4#/*&2$
F$ Studentmentoring
Somecourseshaveasystemofstudent
Therearemanyreasonswhypeopledecideto
mentors/instructors(tohelpstudents
studyforadegree.Forsomeitsanessential
throughuniversitylife)orbuddies(to
partofprofessionaltraining.Othershaveno
welcomenewstudentsandguidethem
clearcareerinmindbutaremotivatedby
+,<&'E,$+,*$-<0+$%*"<$&7$+,*6<$;&'<0*YN$
theirinterestinaparticularsubject.Make
Takingontheresponsibilityofmentoring,
surethatyoureclearwhatyouaimtogain
willimproveyourskillsincommunication
fromyourtimeinhighereducation,notonly
andrelatingtootherpeopleandbea
throughyourstudiesbutalsofromother
usefuladditiontoyourCV.
aspectsofstudentlife,suchas:

F$ Vocationalskills
Ifyourdegreecourseisvocational(e.g.
pharmacy),youllacquireknowledge
+,"+B0$0/*;6-;$+&$+,"+$/<&7*006&#L$9'+$
theskillsandbackgroundknowledge
maybetransferabletootherprofessions
(e.g.marketingorsaleswithina
pharmaceuticalcompany).

Increaseyouremployability
Theskillsyourelikelytoacquirefromboth
theacademicandsocialsidesofyourstudent
life,andwhichemployersseekinmost
graduatejobs,include:
F$ communicatingeffectively
F$ workingproductivelyinateam
F$ 0/*;6-;$0'94*;+$)#&G.*5E*I

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

F$ gettingonwellwithpeopleindifferent
situations
F$ 5*+*<(6#"+6&#L$*#+,'06"0(L$Z*J696.6+%$"#5$
drive
F$ researchinginformationandevaluatingdata
F$ ITskills
F$ workingtodeadlinesandunderpressure
F$ planningandorganisingyourtime
F$ initiativeandcreativity.
Youshouldalsothinkaboutanyadditional
specialistskillsthatyourelikelytohave
gained.
Checkwithyourpersonaltutororcareers
adviseraboutthePersonalDevelopment
Planning(PDP)arrangementsatyour
institution.Thisisoftendeliveredviaonline
systemsandcanhelpyouidentifymanyof
theskillsyouvegained,aswellastheareas
youperhapsneedtoaddress.Thiswillhelp
youfocus,andmayhelpyoudecidewhether
tostayonyourcourseornot.

Continuingbyadifferentroute
Ifyoufeelthatyourpresentcourseofstudy
remainsunsuitable,butyoustillenjoythe
subject,youcouldconsideradifferentwayof
obtainingadegree.
Itmightbepossibletocontinuestudyingon
yourpresentcourseonline,viaaparttime
routeorbydistancelearning.Thismight
resolveyourproblemsiftheyremainly
-#"#;6".L$"<60*$7<&($567-;'.+6*0$6#$9"."#;6#E$
studyanddomesticcommitments,orare
relatedtodisabilityorhealthissues.

Creditforwhatyouvestudied
Ifyoudodecidetoleave,itisimportantthat
youtakethenecessarystepstogaincredit
forwhatyouveachievedsofar,incaseyou
decidetocontinueyourdegreeatalater
0+"E*N$K&'$0,&'.5$".0&$-#5$&'+$,&G$.&#E$%&'<$
currentstudieswouldremainvalidifyou
decideyouwanttoreturntostudy.
Somecourses,forinstanceinnursing,have
clearguidelinesabouthowlongabreakyou
cantakeandstillreturntostudyatthepoint
whereyouleftoff.

Generally,completionofeachyearofa
degreecoursewouldnormallygiveyou120
universitycredittransferpoints,depending
ontherelevanceofthesubject.So,ifyou
completedandpassedtwoyearsofathree
yeardegree,youwouldhave240pointsby
credittransfer.
Completionofafullacademicyear,may
*#+6+.*$%&'$+&$"$'#6P*<06+%$;*<+6-;"+*$&<$
diploma.Althoughthisisnotperhapsthe
W'".6-;"+6&#$%&'$0*+$&'+$+&$";,6*P*L$6+$("%$
stillbevaluedbyemployersifyouchooseto
-#5$G&<)$6#0+*"5$&7$7'<+,*<$0+'5%N$

5Choosingan
alternativecourse
ShouldIstayorshouldIgo?
:7$%&'$G60,$+&$;,"#E*$;&'<0*L$+,*$-<0+$
thingtoaskis:DoIalsowanttochange
institution?Youmaywanttostayatthe
sameinstitution,butstudysomethingelse.
Youmayhoweverwishtogotoanother
institutionandstudythesamesubject,orto
studysomethingelseentirely.Whateveryou
decide,youllneedtoconsiderthefollowing
mainfactors:
Subject
F$ Doyouhaveaclearandaccurateideaof
whatyouwanttostudy?
F$ Doyouknowwhatyoumightenjoy?
F$ Doyouknowwhatyouregoodat?
F$ Doyouknowwhatoptionsexist?
F$ Areyoucertainyouretransferringforthe
rightreasons?(Seethesection:Unsure
aboutyourcourse.)
Ifyouwishtochangeyoursubjectofstudy,
itsessentialthatyouspendtimeresearching
youroptionstogetasdetailedapictureas
possible:beclearaboutwhatyoudidand
didnotlikeaboutyourpreviouscourseread
prospectusescarefullyvisituniversitywebsites
talktotutorsandcareersstafflookat
recommendedtextbooksforthesubject.Gather
asmuchdetailedinformationaboutthecourse
aspossiblebeforemakinganapplication.

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

Coursedetail
F$ Isthecoursemodularwillyouhave
Z*J696.6+%$G6+,6#$+,*$;&'<0*1
F$ Whatsubjectoptionsareoffered?
F$ Howisitassessed?
F$ Whatmodesofattendanceareavailable,
suchascombinedstudies,parttime,
speciallytailoredprogrammesofstudy,
distancelearningandonlinecourses?
F$ Isthereaworkplacementonthecourse?

F$ Willyouneedtoconsideraccommodation
ortravelarrangements?
F$ Researchthecampuswherethecourse
isofferedsometimesuniversitieshave
multiplecampusesquiteadistanceapart.
Youshouldfeelhappyandcomfortablein
thestudentenvironmentsoitsimportant
tothinkabouttheseissuescarefully.
Publicationsgivinganalternativeviewto
formalprospectusescanbeveryusefuland
maybeavailableatthestudentsunion.
Ifpossible,trytoarrangeavisittoany
institutionthatyoureinterestedin.Visitthe
localareaandspeaktocoursestaff.Visit
studentaccommodationandjusttrytogeta
feelfortheplace.

Applicationprocess
Theadmissionstutorforanynewcourse
G6..$#**5$+&$9*$0"+60-*5$+,"+$%&'$,"P*$+,*$
academicability.Ifyouwishtotransfertoa
coursewithinthesameinstitution,youmay
beabletocompleteaninternalform.Ifyou
wishtoapplytoadifferentinstitution,whether
7&<$-<0+$%*"<$&<$"5P"#;*5$*#+<%L$%&'B..$,"P*$+&$
hecklist:applyingforanother
applythroughtheUniversitiesandColleges
AdmissionsService(UCAS)atwww.ucas.ac.uk. course

F$ Identifywhatcourseyouwanttodoand
Thelongerterm
whereyoudliketodoit.
F$ Whataretheimplicationsofyourchoice
F$ Makeaninformalapproachtothe
ofcourseforanyfuturecareerplans?
courseadmissionstutortocheckonthe
F$ Willitleadtoanyparticularcareerareaor
availabilityofplacesanddiscussthe
isitamoregeneralcourse?
possibilityofacceptance.
F$ K&'$".0&$#**5$+&$;&#065*<$+,*$-#"#;6".$
F$ Bepreparedtobepersistent,astutors
implicationsofchangingcourse.(Seethe
;"#$9*$567-;'.+$+&$+<";)$5&G#N$K&'$
sectiononImplicationsofleavingyour
mayneedtowrite,phone,makean
;&'<0*B$&<$0/*")$+&$%&'<$0+'5*#+$-#"#;*$
appointmentoremailseveraltimesbefore
adviser.)
youresuccessfulinmakingcontact.
F$ Allowplentyoftimetogothroughthe
Whileitwouldbeinappropriatetoinsistthat
UCASsystemifyoureapplyingtoa
youmusthaveacrystalclearideaaboutyour
differentinstitution.Ifyoureapplying
futurecareer,makesurethattheimplications
aftertheclosingdate,contactthe
ofyourchoicemakesense.Speaktoa
admissionstutorfortheproposed
careersadviserforadviceaboutthelong
coursetoseeifyourapplicationwillbe
termcareeroptionswithyourchosensubject.
consideredbeforesubmittingyourform.
(Forfurtherdetails,seethesection:Before
F$ NotifyyourLEAorfundingbodyofyour
makingadecision.)
changedplansandseekcurrentadviceon
feeregulations.NotifytheStudentLoans
hanginginstitution
Company,ifappropriate.
F$
Q/*")$+&$%&'<$0+'5*#+$-#"#;*$"5P60*<N
Considerwhatsimportantabouttheplace
F$
Ifyoucantransfercredittoanother
whereyoustudy:
courseforanyworkyouvesuccessfully
completed,makesureyougetatranscript
F$ Doyouwanttorelocateorbeabletostay
ofyouracademiccreditbeforeyouleave.
athome?
F$
Ifyoudecideveryearlyoninthecourse
F$ Whatkindofenvironmentsuitsyou:
[5'<6#E$+,*$-<0+$7*G$G**)0Y$+,"+$%&'$G"#+$
F$ citycampusorrural
toleave,youmightbeabletotransfer
F$ largeuniversityorsmallerinstitution?

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

Changingorleavingyourcourse

extensionsforcourseworkorbeableto
straighttoanothercourserelativelyeasily,
carrysubjectsoverintothenextyear.
providedthereareplacesleftandthe
F$ Findoutwhetherstaffareavailableat
tutorispreparedtoacceptyou.Avoid
yourinstitutiontohelpwithstudyskills
makingahastydecisiontoleavewithout
orexampreparation.Often,thereare
takingadviceandseriouslythinkingit
studyskillsadvisersoreffectivelearning
over.
adviserswhospecialiseinthissortofhelp.

CASESTUDY:ANNE

Ifyouvefailed,orknowthecourseistoo
567-;'.+U

IstartedadegreeinlawwithFrench.After
+,*$-<0+$;&'/.*$&7$G**)0L$:$9*E"#$+&$<*".60*$
Idmadeamistakeinchoosingtostudylaw
andstartedthinkingaboutwhatIdratherbe
doing.

F$ Considerlookingatcourseswithlower
entryrequirements,perhapsatHND,
DipHEorfoundationdegreelevel.These
mayprovideyouwithaplatformtobuild
&#L$"#5$E"6#$;&#-5*#;*$9*7&<*$<*+'<#6#E$
todegreelevelstudylater.
Imadethedecisiontotrytotransfertothe
F$
Beassuredthatuniversityisnotfor
Englishliteraturedepartment.Icontacted
everyone.Talktoyourcareersadviser
theadmissionstutorforthatdepartment
aboutotheroptionsandsourcesofadvice
whoinformedmethatthecoursewasfull.I
inthecommunity.Dontleavewithout
pleadedmycaseandwastoldtocontactthe
havingsomesupportandadvicenetworks
departmentagainatChristmastoseeifany
inplace.Askifyouruniversitycareers
studentshaddroppedout.
servicewillstillbeavailabletoyouafter
youleave.
Fortunately,atChristmas,somebodydiddrop
out.Iwasofferedaninterviewwiththehead
ofdepartment,whotoldmeIcouldjointhe
course,providedIreadallthebookscovered
ASESTUDY:CLARE
onthesyllabussofarandsubmittedfour
piecesofworkonthesetexts.
Clarehadalwayssufferedverybadlywith
*J"($#*<P*0$"#5$G"0$-#56#E$,*<0*.7$'#5*<$
Mytipsare:staywithyourcourseforatleast
increasingstressinthesecondyearto
sixweekstoreallygetafeelforwhetheror
completecourseassignmentsandtoprepare
notitisrightforyoubeforeyoujumpship.
fortheendofsemesterexams.
Afterdiscussingthismatterwithacareers
Makeuseofyourpersonaltutorinformhim
adviser,shebecameawareofexam
orherthatyourenothappyassoonasyou
preparationworkshops,runbythestudent
canandifyouneedreferencesfromyour
studyskillsadviserwithinstudentsupport
0;,&&.$&<$*(/.&%*<L$9*$0/*;6-;$6#$G,"+$%&'$
services,whichshedecidedtoattend.In
askfor.
addition,shewasencouragedtogoand
seehercoursetutortodiscusshermodule
+!*#14#*+)#5%&6/)#1/#*%%#214,5&-*0 choicesforthenextsemestersothatshe
couldensurethat,whereverpossible,
Ifyouvefailedtheacademicyear,orafew
shetookmodulesthatwereassessed
modules,orevenifyoufeeltheworkand
oncourseworkalone,thusreducingany
studyrequiredisjusttoomuch,thenits
potentialadditionalstressfromexams.
agoodideatopauseandconsideryour
options:

F$ Arethingsasbadasyoufear?Talkto
yourtutorasyoumaybeabletosortout

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

10

Changingorleavingyourcourse

6Takingabreakfrom
study

Youmaynotwanttochangeorleaveyour
course,butjustneedsometimeoutforany
numberofreasons.Thisisoftenpossible,
"#5$("%$9*#*-+$%&'<$;"<**<$/<&0/*;+0$6#$+,*$
longerterm.

Reasonsfortakingabreak
F$ Health/emotional
Ifyouvebeenillorotherpersonal
circumstancesareaffectingyourstudies,
itmaybeanoptiontotakesometime
outtorecoverandregainyourstrength.
Takingtimeoffmaybebetterthan
tryingtostruggleonwiththecourseand
-#56#E$+,"+$%&'B<*$#&+$"9.*$+&$E6P*$>??\N$
Makesurethatyoureusingthesupport
servicesavailablewithintheuniversity
andgetadditionalsupportifyouneed
itonceyourebackathomeoroutof
theuniversityenvironment.Thestudent
counsellingservice,studentservice
andmedicalcentrearetheretoadvise,
supportandhelpmakeappropriate
referralsforyou.
F$ Nottherightcourse
Therearemanydifferentcourses
available.Itsoftenveryhardtodecide
whichcourseisbestforyou.Ifyoure
notenjoyingthecourseyouvechosen
tostudy,oritsnotmeetingyour
expectations,itmaybethatthecourseis
notforyou.
F$ Finances
Q+'5%6#E$7'..$+6(*$60$"$96E$-#"#;6".$
commitmentandwithstudentloansand
livingexpensesitallmountsup.Itmaybe
+,"+$-#"#;6".$/<&9.*(0$"<*$"77*;+6#E$%&'<$
studiesandtimeoffmaybenecessary
+&$/'+$%&'<0*.7$6#$"$(&<*$0+"9.*$-#"#;6".$
situationbeforestudycanberesumed.
F$ Inneedofachange
Goingstraightfromschoolintofurther
studycanbeastrainonmanystudents.
:7$%&'$-#5$6+$,"<5$+&$E*+$(&+6P"+*5L$+,60$
inturnwillstarttoaffectyourcourse
work.Sometimesachangeofsceneryora

changetotrysomethingdifferentmaybe
theanswer.Itsachanceforyoutobuild
upnewskillsandtrynewthingsbut,most
importantly,itwillallowyoutoseewhat
elseisoutthere.Onceyoudodecideto
gobacktostudy,youllberefreshedand
readyforthechallenge.
F$ Workexperience
Notallcoursesofferachancetoget
paidworkexperience.Organisingwork
experienceforyourselfwillimpress
employers,butitwillalsoallowyouto
*#,"#;*$%&'<$W'".6-;"+6&#$G6+,$0&(*$
valuableexperience.Itmayalsoopenup
careers/jobsthatyoudidntknowexisted.
F$ Resittingpartofthecourse
Ifyouhaventachievedasatisfactory
levelofresults,itmaybenecessaryto
resubmitworkorretakeexamsonapart
time,selffundedbasis.Beforeleaving
yourcoursetotaketimeout,makesure
youdiscussthesituationwithyourcourse
tutortoexplainyourreasonsandclarify
thelengthoftimeyouplantotakeaway.

Usingyourtimeouteffectively
Whateverthereasonyoudecidetotakesome
timeout,itsbesttohaveaplanofaction.
Thiswillensurethatthetimewillbeusedin
themosteffectivewaypossible.
Belowareafewideasandtipstohelpyou
getstarted.(Moredetailscanbefoundinthe
Contactsandresourcessection.)
F$ Workplacement
Aplacementcanhelpyoubuildupskills,
E"6#$;&#-5*#;*$"#5L$67$%&'$/."%$%&'<$
cardsright,itcouldleadtoafulltimejob.
Withthegraduatejobmarketbecoming
increasinglytough,havingarelevant
placementonyourCVcouldhelpyou
standoutfromthecrowd.

Somecourseshaveworkplacements
integratedintothecoursebutsomedont.
Ifyouwouldliketoarrangeaplacement
butyourcoursedoesntseemtoprovide
+,*$&//&<+'#6+%L$%&'$0,&'.5$-<0+$;&#+";+$
thecourseleadertoseeifitspossible.
Yourcourseleadermaybeabletosuggest
waysofsettingupaplacementandyou

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

11

Changingorleavingyourcourse

maybeabletotakeabreakfromyour
coursetomaketimeforit.
F$ Workexperience
Manystudentsconsidertakingtimeoff
fromstudytogainsomeworkexperience
6#$+,*6<$;,&0*#$-*.5N$=&<)$*J/*<6*#;*$60$
anexcellentwaytohelpwithyourjob
/<&0/*;+0$&#;*$%&'BP*$-#60,*5$+,*$;&'<0*N$

Theremaybeapossibilityofnegotiating
timeoffforworkexperiencedirectlywith
yourdepartmentandtheymayalsobe
abletoproviderelevantcontacts.Gaining
relevantworkexperienceisimportant
itmighthelpyoutodecidewhetherthe
professionisforyouandmayalsobe
advantageouswhenapplyingforjobs.

Ifyourekeentogainrelevantexperience,
youruniversitycareersservicewillbeable
tosuggestappropriateorganisationsto
contactandoutlinesourcesofvacancy
information.Workexperienceoptions
includevoluntaryworkandproject
researchwork.Youshouldalsocheck
www.prospects.ac.uk/Workexperience
forfurtheradviceandworkplacement
opportunities.
F$ Timeabroad
Spendingtimeabroadcanexpandyour
horizons,giveyoufreshideasandhelp
youtogainskillsandexperiencethatwill
enhanceyourCV.Thereisawidevariety
ofwaystospendtimeabroad,including
organizedgapyearprojectssuchas
RaleighInternational,www.raleigh.org.
uk,andGAPActivityProjects,www.gap.
org.uk.Thereisalsoworkwithcharities
suchasOxfam,www.oxfam.org.uk.
Oryoucouldtravelandworkthrough
schemeslikeWorkAustraliawhichis
organisedbyBUNAC,www.bunac.org.If
youreintendingtospendtimeabroad,
youruniversitycareersservicewilloften
haveaccesstoawealthofinformation
tohelpgetyoustartedinthisprocess.
(Alternativelyyoucancheckoutsome
ofthewebsitesintheContactsand
resourcessection.)
Anotherpossibilitycouldbetostudyabroad.
Studyingatanotherinstitutioncouldhelpto

motivateyouagaininyourstudies.Maybe
achangeisasagoodasaholiday?Many
universitieshavelinkstotheSocrates
Erasmusprogrammewww.erasmus.ac.uk,
whichoffersachancetostudyinEurope,
ortheFulbrightCommissionwww.fulbright.
co.ukorwww.fulbright.ie,whicharranges
0+'5%$6#$+,*$]QN$:7$+,*<*B0$#&$0/*;6-;$
departmentallink,youshouldcontact
youruniversitycareersserviceforfurther
informationandapproachyourdepartmentto
seeifanexchangeispossible.

CASESTUDY:STEPHANIE
Stephaniewasoriginallyintendingtogoto
universitybutshedecidedtotakeayearout
toconsiderheroptions.
Ioriginallyhadaplaceatuniversitytostudy
mediabutafteralotofthoughtIrealised
+,"+$:$G"0#B+$>??\$0'<*$67$+,"+$G"0$+,*$
courseforme.Ialsodidntfeelreadytogo
universityandIdbecomeboredbyfulltime
education.SoImadethedecisiontotakea
gapyearandgainsomeworkexperience.
Ifelthappierwithmydecisionespecially
asalargepercentageofmyfriendswere
strugglingwiththeircoursesandwished
thattheydtakenayearout.Havingspoken
toacareersadvisor,Ivenowreappliedto
universitychoosingacompletelydifferent
courseandIhopetogosometimeinthe
future.

Financialconsiderations
Financialrulesinrelationtotakinga
breakfromstudyarecomplexandcan
beconfusing.Yourestronglyadvisedto
checkyourownindividualsituationwiththe
"0060+"#;*$&7$"$0+'5*#+$-#"#;*$"5P60*<$"+$
yourinstitutionorbycontactingyourLEAor
fundingbody.(Fordetails,seethesectionon
Implicationsofleavingyourcourse.)
F$ Reassessingyourchoiceofcourse
Ifyourenotsureifthecourseisright
foryou,useyourtimeouttoseeksome
guidanceaboutyouroptions,alternative
coursesorcareerroutes.

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

12

Changingorleavingyourcourse

F$ Repeatingstudy
Ifyourerequiredtoretakepartofyour
course,itscrucialthatyoukeepin
contactwithyourpersonalorcoursetutor
toreceivenecessaryinformation,advice
andsupportaboutcourseworkandexam
dates.

7Leavingyourcourse
Makingtherightchoice
Leavingacoursepartwaythroughmay
leaveyoufeelingdisappointed,angryor
.";)6#E$6#$;&#-5*#;*N$K&'$("%$7**.$.6)*$"$
failureorbelieveyouveletotherpeople
down,oryoucouldfeelthatyouvewasted
timeandmissedotheropportunities.These
feelingsareunderstandable,buttheyre
notnecessarilycorrect.Theresoftenno
pointcontinuingtostudyifyourereally
notenjoyingit.Itsimportanttomakethis
apositivestepanditoftentakesgreater
couragetoadmitthatyouvemadeamistake
andmoveonthantostayonacoursewhere
youreunhappy.Younowhaveanopportunity
totakeastepback,lookatotheroptionsand
taketimetogetthedecisionright.

Whatcanyoutakefromthis
experience?
Althoughyoureleavingthecourse,youllbe
surprisedbywhatyouvegainedfromthe
wholeexperience.
F$ Academicexperience
Whathaveyoulearnedorachievedfrom
thecourse?Thinkofanymodulesthatyou
passedorcompletedandanypiecesof
workthatcouldbeusedasevidencewhen
applyingforothercourses.
F$ Personalskills
Whatpersonalskillshaveyouacquired
fromyourstudies?Haveyoulearnedany
newskillssuchasITskills,essaywriting
orresearchskills?Otherpersonalskills
(6E,+$6#;.'5*$("#"E6#E$%&'<$&G#$-#"#;*0$
andmanagingyourtimetostudyand
work.Allthisinformationwillbeusefulto

addtoyourCVorapplicationforms.This
exerciseinassessingwhatyouvegained
60$5*06E#*5$+&$E6P*$%&'$"$;&#-5*#;*$
boostandhelpyouseewhereyourbest
attributeslie.
F$ 71"!--$8#,"2#%&*#9+!*#%*+)6#%.*1%"/#
areoutthere
Researchthepossibilitiesofboth
employmentandstudyoptions.Thereare
manydifferentstudyoptionsavailable
whichmaysuityourneedsbetter.

CASESTUDY:RICHARD
O6;,"<5$<*;*#+.%$-#60,*5$"#$8^_$"+$,60$
localcollegehedidntfeelreadytogoto
universitysohelookedatotheroptions.
Ididntfeelreadytocontinuetoadegree
programmeasIwasntsureifthisroutewas
rightforme.Imanagedtokeepmysummer
jobonbutIknewthatIneededsomething
moretodo.Allmyfriendsseemedtobe
gettingonandIwasatalow.
Afriendmentionedtryingvoluntaryworkand
Iwentalongtomylocalvolunteercentreto
seewhattheyhadtooffer.Therewasalot
tochoosefromandIdecidedtousethistime
togetsomeadministrationexperienceasmy
coursehadbeenverytechnicalandIlacked
basicskills.Iendeduphelpingoutinalocal
;,"<6+%$&7-;*$"#5$:$".0&$P&.'#+**<*5$"+$+,*$
youthdropincentre.Imreallyenjoyingboth
jobsandIvepickeduplotsofnewskillsand
(%$;&#-5*#;*$,"0$<*+'<#*5N$:$#&G$,"P*$.&+0$
moretoputonmyCVanditsgivenmethe
chancetotrysomethingdifferent.

Lookingforjobs
Ifyoureleavingyourcourseandintendto
lookforwork,followthesepracticalsteps:
F$ Speaktoacareersadviseraboutusing
G,"+*P*<$W'".6-;"+6&#0$"#5$*J/*<6*#;*$
youvegained.
F$ UpdateyourCVandmakesureyouhave
informationonapplicationformsand
interviewtechniques.(SeetheContacts

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

13

Changingorleavingyourcourse

andresourcessection.)
F$ Researchemployerswhomayoffer
supportforstudyinthefuture,perhaps
throughallocationofstudydaysorsome
-#"#;6".$0'//&<+$7&<$/"<+M+6(*$0+'5%I
F$ Consideralternativeemploymentroutes,
includingthepossibilitiesofdoing
somevoluntaryworkorparticipatingin
workplacementsorinternshipsinyour
/<*7*<<*5$-*.5I
F$ Makesureyoureallyknowhowtolook
forjobs.Althoughthissoundssimple,
youhavetoensureyoureawareofall
theappropriatewebsites,recruitment
newspapers(nationalandlocal)and
professionaljournals.Youmaybeableto
-#5$*(/.&%(*#+$6#$%&'<$/<*7*<<*5$;"<**<$
area,butatalowerlevelorgradethanif
youdgraduated.Thisstillprovidesaway
inandcanoftenleadtoprogression.
F$ `*$&/*#$"#5$Z*J69.*$+&$&//&<+'#6+6*0$a$
youneverknowwherethingsmightlead!

Q:Im35andworriedthatifIchange

coursenow,Illbewastingvaluabletime.Is
thisthecase?
A:Ifthecourseisntgoingtogetyou
whereyouwanttogo,thenthetimespent
changingdirectionnowmayinfactbeagood
investment.Itsequallyimportantnottorush
intoanewcourse.

Q:ImunsureaboutmycoursecanI

0/*")$+&$0&(*&#*$;&#-5*#+6"..%1
A:Yes.Thereareavarietyofstaffinthe
'#6P*<06+%$G,&$;"#$,*./N$K&'$0,&'.5$5*-#6+*.%$
speaktostudentservicesandcareersstaffas
wellasyouracademictutor.

Financialimplications

Aspartofyourresearchintothedifferent
&/+6&#0L$%&'$#**5$+&$9*$0'<*$&7$+,*$-#"#;6".$
implicationsofanydecisionyoumight
make.Therulesonwhetheryoullget
7'<+,*<$-#"#;6".$0'//&<+$+&G"<50$%&'<$7**0$
foranothercourseinthefuturearevery
complicatedandyourestronglyadvisedto
0**)$7'<+,*<$E'65"#;*$7<&($"$0+'5*#+$-#"#;*$
adviseratyourinstitutionorthroughyour
Everyyear,studentsleavetheircoursesfor
localeducationauthority(LEA),orcheck
manydifferentreasons.Leavingacourse
inAGuidetoFinancialSupportforHigher
requirescourage,organisationandplanning EducationStudents2008/2009,DIUS.Phone
itsoftenanythingbuttheeasyoption.
Q+'5*#+$b6#"#;*$:#7&<("+6&#$&#$?c??$2d>$
9133,ref.S/FSHE/V9foracopyofthisguide
(alsoavailableonlineatwww.direct.gov.uk,
requentlyaskedquestions
'#5*<$0+'5*#+$-#"#;*YN
Q:Whatwillemployersthinkaboutmenot Ifthereareanychangestoyourcourseor
completingmycourse?
placeofstudy,theactionyoushouldtake
A:Generallyspeaking,employers
willdependonthechange.Thesechanges
areinterestedinmorethanjustyour
include:
W'".6-;"+6&#L$6#;.'56#E$0&(*$&7$+,*$;&<*$0)6..0$
youvegainedthroughstudy.Employersare
F$ switchingtoanewcourseorplaceof
morelikelytobeimpressedbyastudentwho
study
recognisesthatheorshehasmadeamistake F$ repeatingayearofyourcourseor
aboutthecourseandtakenproactivestepsto
deferringyourstudies
rectifythesituationandachievestability.
F$ leavingyourcourseearly
F$ returningtoacourseafterabreak.
Q:IfItaketimeout,Illbe24whenI
Switchingtoanewcourseorplaceof
graduate.Willthismatter?
study
A:Beingafewyearsolderatgraduation
Ifyouwanttochangeyouruniversity,
isunlikelytomakemuchdifferencetoan
collegeorcourse,youmayalso,insome
employer.Makesureyouuseanytimeout
circumstances,beabletotransferthe
productively,perhapsonagapyearor
-#"#;6".$0'//&<+$%&'$E*+N$K&'<$-<0+$0+*/$
gainingworkexperience.

8Implicationsof
leaving

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

14

Changingorleavingyourcourse

shouldbetotalktoyourplaceofstudyand
+&$%&'<$.&;".$"'+,&<6+%$+&$560;'00$+,*$-#"#;6".$
impact.

circumstanceswillbetakenintoaccount.
Contactyourlocalauthorityforfurther
details.

Ifyournewplaceofstudyapprovesyour
transfer,itwillsendyourlocalauthoritya
7&<($;"..*5$"$^&+6-;"+6&#$&7$Q+'5*#+$X<"#07*<$
andtheywillcarryoutareassessmenton
yourbehalf.

Careerdevelopmentloan
Anothersourceoffundingisthroughacareer
developmentloan.AfreeCDLinformation
booklet,containingallthedetailsyoullneed,
aswellasanapplicationform,isavailable
bycallingfreeonDepartmentofWorksand
Pensions0800585505between9amand
9pmMondaytoFriday.Oraskatyourlocal
Jobcentre,collegeortrainingcentre.

Repeatingayearofyourcourseor
deferringyourstudies
Ifyouwanttorepeatayearofyourcourse,
&<$5*7*<$%&'<$0+'56*0L$%&'$0,&'.5$-<0+$560;'00$
yourreasonswithyourplaceofstudyand
cottishfunding
withyourlocalauthority.Theywillthenlet
%&'$)#&G$,&G$%&'<$-#"#;6".$0'//&<+$;&'.5$9*$ EligibleScottishandEUstudents,studying
affected.
ataninstitutioninScotland,areentitledto
freetuition.TheStudentAwardsAgencyfor
Ifyoudeferorrepeatayeardueto
Scotland(SAAS),www.saas.gov.uk,willpay
circumstancesbeyondyourcontrol,youmay thetuitionfeesstraighttoyourinstitution.
beofferedfullsupport.Ifyouruniversity
orcollegeapprovesyourrepeatperiod
TheverygeneralruleofthumbforScottish
ordeferment,theywillinformyourlocal
studentsisthatyoullbeallowedfouryears
authority,whowilltakeadecisiononwhether worthoffunding,aslongasyourstudies
%&'B..$;&#+6#'*$+&$E*+$7'..$-#"#;6".$0'//&<+N$:7$ advanceinanupwarddirection.Youwillnot
youredeferringentrytoyourcourse,your
befundedatthesamelevelofstudytwice.
localauthoritywillneedtoseealetterof
;&#-<("+6&#$7<&($%&'<$/.";*$&7$0+'5%L$5"+*5$
Repeatfunding
appropriately.
SAASmaymakeanexceptiontothisruleifa
periodofstudyisbeingrepeatedformedical
Leavingyourcourseearly
orstrongcompassionatereasons(supporting
Ifyouleaveyourcourseearly,itmayaffect
evidencewillberequired).
%&'<$*#+6+.*(*#+$+&$-#"#;6".$0'//&<+$67$%&'$
returntohighereducationinthefuture.
Falsestart
K&'$;"#$-#5$&'+$(&<*$9%$+".)6#E$+&$%&'<$
QRRQ$".0&$"//<*;6"+*0$+,"+$6+$;"#$9*$567-;'.+$
localauthorityandplaceofstudy.Your
toknowifyouvemadetherightchoiceof
studentloanwillenterrepaymentinthe
course.Ononeoccasiononly,SAASwill
Aprilfollowingyourlastdateofattendance,
allowwhatsknownasafalsestart.Ifyou
providedyouareearninginexcessof
dontdomorethanoneyearofanHND,
15,000.
degreeorequivalentlevelcourse(i.e.you
dontprogressintothesecondyear),SAAS
Returningtoanewcourseafterabreak
willignorethesupportgiventoyouforthe
Ifyourereturningtohighereducationafter
-<0+$%*"<$"#5$E6P*$7'..$-#"#;6".$0'//&<+$7&<$
abreakinyourstudies,youshouldcontact
anotherHND,degreeorequivalentlevel
yourlocalauthority.Youllstillbeableto
course.Donotautomaticallyassumethat
applyforastudentloan,butyoumaynot
youwillbeeligibleforafalsestart.Always
9*$*#+6+.*5$+&$-#"#;6".$0'//&<+$+&G"<50$
;,*;)$G6+,$"$0+'5*#+$-#"#;*$"5P60*<$"+$%&'<$
yourtuitionfeesorahighereducation
institutionorcontactSAAS.Afalsestartisnot
E<"#+$67$%&'BP*$/<*P6&'0.%$<*;*6P*5$-#"#;6".$
availableforanHNCorsimilarlevelcourse.
assistancefromthegovernment.There
Gapyear
areexceptionsthoughandyourpersonal
Shouldyouwanttotakeagapyear,this

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

15

Changingorleavingyourcourse

shouldbeagreedwithyourinstitutionto
ensureaplacewillbesecuredforyouupon
yourreturn.Also,ifthedecisiontotake
timeoutismadeafteranapplicationhas
beenmadetoSAASforfunding,butthen
youdecideyoullbetakingagapyear,the
institutionmustinformSAAS.Otherwise,SAAS
willautomaticallysendthetuitionfeestothe
institutionandthatyearsfundingwillbeused.

9Sourcesofadvice
andhelp
Sourcesofhelpatyourinstitution

Ifyoureconsideringleavingyourcourse,
youshouldseekadviceassoonaspossible
tocheckouttheoptionsandimplications.
Itisalwaysrecommendedthatyouspeak
Ifyoudontwanttovoiceyourconcernsto
G6+,$"$0+'5*#+$-#"#;*$"5P60*<$&<$QRRQ$9*7&<*$ %&'<$;&'<0*$+'+&<L$E&$-<0+$+&$%&'<$'#6P*<06+%$
makinganydecisionstotaketimeoutfrom
careersservice,studentservicesoryour
counsellingserviceforanimpartialand
yourcourse,whateverthereason.
;&#-5*#+6".$560;'006&#N

Checklist:whenleavingyour
course

F$ Talktoacareersadviseroryourcourse
leader/guidancetutoraboutyourchoices
beforeyouleave.Seekadvicebeforeyou
&7-;6"..%$G6+,5<"G$7<&($+,*$;&'<0*N$
F$ Checktheavailabilityofplacesonthenew
courseyouwishtojoin.Ifyouleaveyour
;&'<0*$G6+,&'+$-<0+$(")6#E$"<<"#E*(*#+0$
tojoinanotherone,youmightnotbe
entitledtoanymoresupporttowardsyour
feesifyoujoinanothercourselater.
F$ Seekadvicefromyourfundingbodyto
ensuretuitionfeesandlivingexpenseswill
beavailableforfuturestudy.Alsocheckif
youhavetorepayanyoutstandingmonies
suchasstudentloans.
F$ Checktoseeifyouhaveanyothermonies
owed.Ifyoureinaccommodation,youll
needtoletthelandlordoraccommodation
&7-;*<$)#&G$6#$"5P"#;*N$:7$%&'$,"P*$
anydoubtsaboutmoney,pleasecontact
studentservicesforinitialadvice.
F$ !&#-<($G,"+$;<*56+0$7&<$0+'5%L$67$"#%L$
youmaybeentitledtobycontactingthe
7";'.+%$&<$5*/"<+(*#+$&7-;*N
F$ :7$"//.6;"9.*L$7&<("..%$#&+67%$+,*$&7-;6".$
bodypayingyourfeesorawardsandthe
StudentLoansCompany.Talktoyour
bankaboutthechangeinyourstatus.
Onceyouhavealltheinformationinplace
andyouresureyouwanttoleaveyour
;&'<0*L$%&'$;"#$&7-;6"..%$G6+,5<"G$"#5$#&+67%$
theuniversityorcollege.

Careersserviceatyourinstitution
Makethemostofthefacilitiesatyourown
institutionwhileyouhavetheopportunity.
Careersadviserscanofferimpartialadviceto
youaboutyouroptions.Theycanalsohelp
youmakeafullyinformeddecision.
Careerslibraryatyourinstitution
Thelibrarywillhaveresourcestohelpyou
researchdifferentpossibilities.Therewill
beaccesstoawiderangeofinformation
resources.
Evenifyouleaveyourcourse,youmaystill
beabletousethefacilitiesofyourformer
institution.Somehighereducationcareers
servicesofferresourcestostudentsfrom
otherinstitutionswhichwillallowyouto
accesscareersadviceinyourlocalarea,
althoughtheremaybeasmallcharge.
Course/personaltutor
Makeyourtutorawareofanycircumstances
thatareaffectingyou.Theymaybeableto
organisesupportthatcanallowtoyoustay
oncoursestudyskills,additionaltutorials
oralternativecourseswithinthedepartment
orinstitution.Ifyoufeelthatyoucanttalk
+&$%&'<$+'+&<L$/.*"0*$5&$-#5$0&(*&#*$*.0*$+&$
talktoeitheranotherstaffmemberoryour
universitycareersserviceorstudentservices.
Studentservices
Studentservicesorstudentadvicecentres
atyourinstitutionofferawiderangeof

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

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Changingorleavingyourcourse

supportservices,fromstudyskillstoadvice
&#$-#"#;*$"#5$";;&((&5"+6&#N$D"#%$,"P*$"$
studentcounsellingserviceandallwilloffer
%&'$;&#-5*#+6".$"5P6;*N

;&'<0*$6#7&<("+6&#$"#5$;"<**<$/<&-.*0N$K&'$
shouldbeabletoresearchjobsandadvice,
andaccessonlineguidance,dependingon
yourcircumstances.Thewebalsoprovides
aonestopshoptolookforvacancies.
Studentdisabilityunit
Employerwebsites,recruitmentagenciesand
Specialistadviceandhelpisavailablethrough specialist,dedicatedjobsearchsites,have
thesecentres.Theymayhavelinkswith
madesearchingforvacanciesaloteasier.
externalagenciesthatcanhelpyousetup
employmentorworkexperience.
Furtherinformation
Localnewspapersandprofessionaljournals
areagoodsourceofinformation.Local
thersourcesofhelp
businessdirectoriescanalsoprovidesome
usefullinks.Locallibrariesnormallyhave
Friendsandfamily
theseavailabletothepublicanditsavesyou
Notalwaysanobviouschoice,butthey
,"P6#E$+&$9'%$+,*($"..C$X&$-#5$.&;".$/,&#*$
cansometimesbethebestsourcesof
numbersandaddressesforcontactsinyour
information.Theymayhavecontactsin
localarea,consultyourlocalYellowPages,
theindustrythatyourekeentoworkin,or
www.yell.com,undertheheadingscareers
beabletooffersomeworkexperienceor
adviceoremploymentagencies.
differentideasaboutcareerpathways.Make

themostoftheirresources,contactsand
knowledgeastheymaysurpriseyouandthey
probablyknowyoubest!

Careerscompanies
Connexions,www.connexions.gov.uk,
isbasedinEnglandandWalesandisa
governmentfundedserviceofferingallage
careersguidanceandinformation.Careers
Scotland,www.careersscotland.org.uk,
operatesasimilarserviceinScotland,and
Gradireland,www.gradireland.com,isajoint
agencyforallofIreland.
Jobcentres
Jobcentresholdinformationonvacancies
andgovernmentfundedschemes.These
programmesofferworkbasedplacements
and/ortrainingandcanprovideastepinto
permanentemployment.Youwillneedto
checkeligibilitycriteria.Jobcentresalso
providejobsearchservicesandarrange
seminars,includinghelpwithapplicationsand
CVs.Ifyouhaveapermanentortemporary
disability,adisabilityemploymentadvisercan
&77*<$0/*;6-;$,*./$"#5$E'65"#;*N
Theinternet
Thewebisavaluabletoolinresearching
careerpathwaysandadvice.Websites,such
aswww.prospects.ac.ukandyourinstitutions
careersservicesite,offerawiderangeof

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

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Changingorleavingyourcourse

10Contactsand
resources
Bibliography
AGCASandGraduateProspectsproducts
areavailablefromhighereducationcareers
services.

Websites
Finance
CareerDevelopmentLoans
www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/
AdultLearning/FinancialHelpForAdultLearners/
!"<**<_*P*.&/(*#+e&"#0H_Sf>??ddAd2
HotCourses:StudentMoney
www.studentmoney.org
StudentAwardsAgencyScotland(SAAS)
www.saas.gov.uk

AGCAS

StudentLoansCompany(SLC)
AGCASSpecialInterestSeries:
GoingforInterviewsJobSeekingStrategies www.slc.co.uk
MakingApplicationsSelfemployment
WelshAssembly(Education)
WorkingAbroad
http://new.wales.gov.uk
RS!RQ$@;;'/"+6&#".$T<&-.*0
IdeasforTakingTimeOut
RS!RQ$Q*;+&<$`<6*-#E0
BUNAC
www.bunac.org
AGCASVideos:
LookingGoodonPaperWhyAmIHere?
CampAmerica
www.campamerica.co.uk

GraduateProspects
Prospects.ac.uk
ProspectsWorkExperience

Otherpublications

Doit
www.doit.org.uk
FulbrightCommission
www.fulbright.co.ukandwww.fulbright.ie
GAPActivityProjects
www.gap.org.uk

AGuidetoFinancialSupportforHigher
EducationStudents2008/2009,DIUS.Phone
MonsterJobs
Q+'5*#+$b6#"#;*$:#7&<("+6&#$&#$?c??$2d>$
www.monster.co.uk
9133,ref.S/FSHE/V9foracopyofthisguide
(alsoavailableonlineatwww.direct.gov.uk,
NorthernIrelandCouncilforVoluntaryAction
'#5*<$0+'5*#+$-#"#;*Y$
(NICVA)
www.nicva.org
TheHobsonsDirectory,CRAC/Hobsons
Publications,Annual
Oxfam
www.oxfam.org.uk
TheTimesGoodUniversityGuide,
HarperCollins,Annual
RaleighInternational
www.raleigh.org.uk
GapYearGuidebook,ed.AlisonWithers,John
!"++$35';"+6&#".L$A??2
UKErasmus
www.erasmus.ac.uk

TheAssociationofGraduateCareersAdvisoryServices

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Changingorleavingyourcourse

VolunteerScotland
www.volunteerscotland.org.uk
VoluntaryServiceOverseas(VSO)
www.vso.org.uk
YearOutGroup
www.yearoutgroup.org
YellowPages
www.yell.com

SourcesofAdviceandSupport
CareersScotland
www.careersscotland.org.uk
CareersWales
www.careerswales.com
Connexions(England)
www.connexions.gov.uk

Addresses
DepartmentforInnovation,Universitiesand
Skills(DIUS),CastleViewHouse,EastLane,
O'#;&<#$=R2$ASgN$X*.U$?A?$2A>h$hhhh$
www.dius.gov.uk
DepartmentforEmploymentandLearningin
NorthernIreland(DELNI),AdelaideHouse,
3949AdelaideStreet,BelfastBT28FDTel:
?Ac$i?Ah$22Aj
www.delni.gov.uk
DepartmentforWorkandPensions(DWP),
111JohnAdamStreet,LondonWC2N6HT
www.dwp.gov.uk
EducationalGrantsAdvisoryService(EGAS),
501505KingslandRoad,Dalston,LondonE8
kR]$X*.U$?A?$2Ahk$jAh>
www.egasonline.org

TheEthicalCareersGuide
www.ngomedia.org.uk/artman/publish
GradIreland
www.gradireland.com
JobcentrePlus
www.jobcentreplus.gov.uk
Planitplus
www.planitplus.net
UniversitiesandCollegesAdmissionsService
(UCAS)
www.ucas.ac.uk

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