Student transfer arrangement

Aston University welcomes transfers from well-qualified applicants for the majority of its Programmes.

How to request a transfer to Aston University from another university

Undergraduate students wishing to transfer to Aston University from another university should apply via UCAS.

Applicants wishing to transfer from another institution should supply the following information along with their UCAS application form:

Results of all previously completed qualifications such as GCSEs/A Levels
Details of their English language and mathematics qualifications (for example GCSEs)
A reference from their current, or most recent, academic institution
Details of modules completed so far at university and any marks/grades obtained

Please note undergraduate applicants wishing to transfer are normally expected to meet the Level 2 (GCSE or equivalent) and Level 3 (A-Level or equivalent) standard entry requirements for the current year of entry as currently set out on the University website. Some of our programmes may require students to have achieved/be expected to achieve particular grades in their university modules at the university they are transferring from (for example 60% in 120 year one credits); where this applies it will be set out in the offer made to the applicant.

Applicants should clearly state on their application form which year of study they wish to transfer into (for example first year or second year.) In all cases, consideration for credit exception/advanced standing (e.g. entry into year two) or entry into year one will be dependent upon the content of and achievement in previous studies and availability of spaces on the Programme. Please note transfers into year 3 or above of an Aston Undergraduate Degree are not normally permitted.

Programmes which are unable to consider transfers from another university

A small number of Aston programmes are unable to accept transfers:

Aston Medical School

Aston Medical School are only able to consider applications from graduates who have successfully completed their degree or are in the final year of their degree and meet the criteria for graduate applicants as set out in our admissions policy. Aston Medical School will not consider applicants in the following circumstances:

Applicants who wish to transfer from a medical degree at another University
Applicants who have previously withdrawn from a medical degree at another university
Applicants who have withdrawn from a degree in any subject
Applicants who wish to transfer from a degree in any other subject

We expect all applicants to declare their complete educational history with past and present place of study, qualifications and grades on their UCAS application. If there is additional information for which there is no specific area on the UCAS form, it is required that applicants email additional information to the Admissions Office by 21^st October of the year in which they are applying.

School of Life and Health Sciences (LHS)

LHS are unable to accept transfers into year two or above for: Pharmacy, Optometry and Audiology.

Omissions

Applicants are expected to declare all completed qualifications, as well as those with an unsuccessful grade or qualifications where they are still awaiting results; failure to do so may result in the University withdrawing that application or any offer which has been made. Applicants who have commenced a Higher Education course at Aston or any other Higher Education Course and have not successfully completed it must declare this on their application form. The University may take necessary steps to check with applicants and other parties, including universities, colleges and awarding bodies whether the information provided is accurate and complete.

How to request a transfer if you are already an Aston student

Applicants who have not yet enrolled

If you are holding an offer to study at the University and have not yet enrolled, you should contact the admissions team to request a course transfer. Offer holders requesting a transfer should note that all transfers are subject to availability of remaining places on the Programme. Any applicants who wish to transfer Programme are normally expected to meet the standard entry requirements for the current year of entry as set out on the University website.

Students who have already enrolled

Students who have already enrolled on a Programme at the University, should contact the relevant School Office to ask for a transfer. Factors which will be taken into account include:

a.) the timing of the request; transfers will not normally be considered after week two of term one to ensure that students have sufficient time to catch up on any work missed. It is not normally possible to change your course part way through the year and after week two of term one you may have to wait until the start of the next academic year to start your new course.
b.) availability of spaces on the Programme
c.) whether the student’s previous qualifications meet the entry requirements of the Programme they wish to transfer onto
d.) The results of any modules already completed at Aston (if applicable)

How to transfer from Aston University to another university

If you are an undergraduate student, you would normally need to apply for your new programme through UCAS. It is often not possible for you to start your new programme at your new university part way through the year and you may find that you will need to wait until the start of the next academic year to start your new programme. If you are considering transferring from Aston University, we recommend that you contact the admissions team at the institution that you wish to transfer to check what their arrangements are for student transfers. If you need a reference from Aston as part of your application to transfer, please speak to your Personal Tutor and then complete a reference request via your MAP home page.

Once you have a confirmed place at another institution, you will need to make a request to withdraw from your programme at Aston by completing the withdraw task on your student home page in MAP. Your school will reply to your request through the task in MAP so you need to remember to check your student home page regularly. If you are a UK or EU funded student then you will need to tell Student Finance England (SFE) (or Student Finance Services for EU students) that you have left your studies. You may be able to do this by logging onto your online account with Student Finance England and making changes to your application online. You could also contact Student Finance England (or Student Finance Services) by phone. The University will also contact Student Finance England (or Student Finance Services) to confirm that you have left your studies.

Before making a decision to transfer to another university we advise that you book an appointment with a Student Adviser via the Hub reception as it may impact on your funding.

Transfers and Tier 4 students

If you are thinking of changing course and you are in the UK with a student visa then you should seek advice from one of our International Student Advisers at The Hub. Any changes you make to your planned studies can have serious implications for your visa and Aston University may be obliged to report these changes to UK Visas and Immigration. If you will no longer be studying at Aston University then your current visa may no longer be valid. If you are changing course at Aston and it will now take longer for you to complete your studies then you may need to extend your student visa. You can contact our international advisers at The Hub on 0121 204 4567 or by calling into The Hub.

Transfers to and from Postgraduate Taught Programmes

How to request a transfer to Aston University from another university

As the majority of our masters courses are one year long, transfers are not normally possible. In some cases, however, it may be possible to award accreditation of prior learning (APL) for credits that you have achieved at another institution; please contact the admissions team for further information.

Omissions

How to request a transfer if you are already an Aston student

Applicants who have not yet enrolled

Students who have already enrolled

Students who have already enrolled on a Programme at the University, should contact the relevant School Office to ask for a transfer. Factors which will be taken into account include:

a) the timing of the request; transfers will not normally be considered after week two of your first term to ensure that students have sufficient time to catch up on any work missed. It is not normally possible to change your course part way through the year and you may have to wait until the start of the next academic year to start your new course.
b) availability of spaces on the Programme
c) whether the student’s previous qualifications meet the entry requirements of the Programme they wish to transfer onto
d) The results of any modules already completed at Aston (if applicable)
e) For some of our Programmes, students wishing to transfer must also provide a written rationale for their request

How to transfer from Aston University to another university

If you are a postgraduate taught student who wishes to transfer to another institution, we recommend that you contact the admissions team at the institution that you wish to transfer to, to check what their arrangements are for student transfers. If you need a reference from Aston as part of your application to transfer, please speak to your Personal Tutor and then complete a reference request via your MAP home page.

Once you have a confirmed place at another institution, you will need to make a request in writing to withdraw from your programme at Aston. Requests to do so should normally be made by completing the withdrawal task on your student home page in MAP. Your school will normally reply to your request through the task in MAP so you need to remember to check your student home page regularly. If you are a UK or EU student and receive funding through Student Finance then you will need to tell the relevant Student Finance organisation that you have left your studies. You may be able to do this by logging onto your online account with Student Finance and making changes to your application on line. You could also contact Student Finance by phone. The University will also contact Student Finance to confirm that you have left your studies at Aston. We recommend that you contact the student finance team at the institution that you wish to transfer to, to check what their arrangements are for student transfers.

Transfers and Tier 4 students

Transfers to and from Degree Apprenticeships/Employer led Programmes

Transfers to and from Degree Apprenticeships/Employer-led Programmes need to be considered on an individual basis in consultation with your employer. Please contact us (key contacts are provided at the bottom of this document) in the first instance for more detailed advice.

Transfers to and from Postgraduate Research Degrees

How to request a transfer to Aston University from another university

In the first instance, please contact the Research Admissions Team for further advice.

How to transfer from Aston University to another university

If you wish to transfer to another programme or institution (for example, because your supervisor is leaving and you would like to join them), we recommend that you contact the admissions team at the institution that you wish to transfer to, to check what their arrangements are for student transfers. If you need a reference from Aston as part of your application to transfer, please speak to your supervisor. If you need a letter confirming your registration at Aston and/or progression, please email us.

Before you make any arrangements to transfer, we would advise you to consider carefully the following:

If you are in receipt of a studentship, it is unlikely in most cases that you will be able to transfer the studentship so you should seek advice from the funder before formalising any transfer arrangement. Please discuss with the PGR Admin team if you are unsure what the funder’s rules are.
If you receive funding through Student Finance then you will need to tell the relevant Student Finance organisation that you have left your studies. You may be able to do this by logging onto your online account with Student Finance and making changes to your application online. You could also contact Student Finance by phone. The University will also contact Student Finance to confirm that you have left your studies at Aston. We recommend that you contact the student finance team at the institution that you wish to transfer to, to check what their arrangements are for student transfers.
If you are an international student on a Tier 4 visa, you must seek advice from the visa compliance team via The Hub before you make any arrangements for transfer.
You should also check what the institution’s regulations are regarding exemption from any mandatory training and their equivalent of the Aston Qualifying Report (QR) process. It may be that you would need to register as a new starter rather than transferring to the same stage of your research. We recommend you consider this carefully before making a final decision.
If you have transferred to another institution, you will no longer have access to Aston facilities or email even if you live locally and/or have an Aston-based Associate Supervisor.

Once you have a confirmed place at another institution, you will need to make a request in writing to withdraw from your programme at Aston. Please state the effective date of the withdrawal.

Transfers and Tier 4 students

Once you have a confirmed place at another institution, you will need to make a request in writing to withdraw from your programme at Aston. Requests to do so should normally be made by completing the withdrawal task on your student home page in MAP. Your school will normally reply to your request through the task in MAP so you need to remember to check your student home page regularly. If you are a UK or EU student and receive funding through Student Finance then you will need to tell the relevant Student Finance organisation that you have left your studies. You may be able to do this by logging onto your online account with Student Finance and making changes to your application online. You could also contact Student Finance by phone. The University will also contact Student Finance to confirm that you have left your studies at Aston. We recommend that you contact the student finance team at the institution that you wish to transfer to, to check what their arrangements are for student transfers.

Key Contacts

If you are an applicant (not yet enrolled):

Please remember to use your 9-digit student number or your UCAS number (undergraduate applicants only) in all correspondence.

Undergraduate Admissions Team
Postgraduate Admissions Team
Postgraduate Research Admissions Team
Apprenticeships Team

If you are a current student (enrolled):

Please remember to use your 9-digit student number in all correspondence.

College of Business and Social Sciences
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Undergraduate
College of Engineering and Physical Sciences Postgraduate
College of Health and Life Sciences (except Medicine)
College of Health and Life Sciences (Medicine only)

Find your course

Student transfer arrangement