Transferring Universities
How to transfer to another university
Before deciding to transfer from Northumbria, you should first speak to your Guidance Tutor or Programme Leader to discuss issues you may have and any alternative options available to you. If you do decide to transfer you should notify both your current School Office when you leave and the School Office at your new university when you start your new programme. They will complete a Change of Circumstances form which will be sent to Student Finance England* to notify them of the changes. You should also Student Finance England* know yourself that you are transferring. You can do this by completing a Change of Circumstances Form (C01) available to download from the Student Finance England website.
Future support & the Previous Study Rule
You should be aware that transferring universities and / or programmes may affect your remaining entitlement to financial support.
Eligible students are entitled to financial support for the length of their new programme plus one additional year, minus any years of previous study. This is known as the ‘Previous Study Rule’. If you want to change programmes, the previous study rule will govern how much funding you will receive for your new programme.
Example 1:
A student wants to change university / programme after 1 year of her 3 year programme. She then transfers onto the 1st year of another 3 year programme at another university the following September. She is entitled to 3 years financial support
3 yr programme + 1 additional yr - 1 yr previous study = 3 yrs remaining financial support (3+1-1=3).
Example 2:
A student wants to change university / programme after 2 years of his 3 year programme. He then transfers to the 1st year of a new 3 year programme at another university the following September. He will be entitled to 2 years of financial support for his new programme
3 yr programme + 1 additional yr - 2 yrs previous study = 2 yrs remaining financial support (3+1-2=2).
The student in the above example would only receive full financial support for years 2 and 3 of his new programme and is required to support himself (or ‘self fund’) in his first year. Where a student is required to self fund any years of their programme, this will always apply to the earlier rather than later years of the programme. During any ‘self funding’ years, students will not be able to access fee support or grant support. Under the current rules, eligible students can continue to receive the Maintenance Loan until they have an honours degree.
Example 3:
A student wants to change university / programme after 1 year of his 4 year programme. He then transfers university and on to the 1st year of a new 3 year programme the following September. He will be entitled to 3 years of financial support for his new programme
3 yr programme + 1 additional yr - 1 yrs previous study = 3 yrs remaining financial support (3+1-1=3).
Please note:
The information above sets out the basic principle of the Previous Study Rule. However, the interpretation of this regulation is not straightforward and there are a number of exceptions/variations which may apply, depending on your circumstances. If you are considering withdrawing from your programme you should speak to Welfare & International Support for advice on your individual financial support status and circumstances. We would also recommend that you speak to Student Finance England* to double check your remaining financial support entitlement before making a decision to change University / programmes.
Transferring Universities and Accommodation
If you decide to transfer to another university before mid December and you are living in University owned or managed accommodation you can usually give four weeks notice if you wish to leave. ( Please check with the Accommodation Office regarding the arrangement for your particular residence .)
If you wish to leave University accommodation after mid December (or for reasons other than withdrawal / transfer at any time of year) you are normally required to find someone to take over your room before you leave (this must be a Northumbria University student not already in University accommodation).
If you live in private rented accommodation you will need to speak to your Landlord and will normally be required to find someone to take over your room.
Transferring Universities & Tuition Fees
If you are considering transferring to another university you are strongly advised to contact Welfare & International Support and/or the Finance Department to check the University’s fee charging policy. Depending on the date that you transfer, you may be faced with a bill for tuition fees. You should also contact the new institution to check on their fee charging policy.
Students starting before September 2006
It is likely that students who started before September 2006 and transfer to a new programme at Northumbria in September 2010 will be charged the higher tuition fee of £3,290, though the ‘Previous Study Rule’ will govern how much financial support (if any) they will receive for the new programme.
Students wishing to change to a different institution are strongly advised to check the fee charging policy of the new institution as some may find that they are charged the higher tuition fee of £3,290 even though they remain on the old financial support system.
Contacts
Welfare & International Support
Student Support and Wellbeing Centre,
Ground Floor,
Northumberland Building,
City Campus,
Tel: 0191 227 4127
Student Support and Wellbeing Centre,
Allendale Building,
Coach Lane Campus,
Tel: 0191 215 6590
Email: sv.welfareandinternational@northumbria.ac.uk
*New Students in 2009/10 will apply to Student Finance England.
*Students who started between September 2006 and before September 2009 will apply to their Local Authority (or Student Finance England, depending on where they live).
*Student Finance England replaces the previous Student Finance Direct service
*UK Students from outside England should contact the following agencies:
N. Ireland: Education Library Board / Student Finance NI
Wales: Local Authority / Student Finance Wales
Scotland: SAAS (Students Awards Agency for Scotland)
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