Changing your course

Eligibility

If you want to change your course, you may need to apply for a new Student visa.

Before you continue, we recommend that you use the self-help tool below to check what the visa implications are for your intended change of course.

Use the change of course self-help tool

You do not need to apply for a new visa if

• your new course has the same mode of attendance, and
• you will complete the new course before your existing visa expires, and
• your new course is at the same level as the one for which your visa was issued, and
• you applied for your visa before 5 October 2020, and
• where you applied for your visa before 5 October 2020, we can confirm your new course is related to the previous course or both courses combined support your career aspirations (only if you have previously studied in the UK with a Student or Tier 4 visa), or
• where you applied for your visa on or after 5 October 2020, we can confirm your new course is related to the course your current visa was granted to study, or the new course supports your career aspirations.

Where you:

• applied for your Student visa on or after 5 October 2020, and
• the new course is at Masters or PhD level

You can change course without needing to get a new visa first as long as the new course is related to the course your current visa was granted to study, or the new course supports your career aspirations. However, please note that if your new course end date is after your current visa expires, you will need a new visa in order to complete your course. You may not be able to apply for the new visa inside the UK. Please read our information on academic progression to determine whether you can apply in the UK.

If your change of course does not meet the above requirements, you may be required to apply for a new visa.

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Student visa conditions

Before changing programme or candidature you must consider the time limits attached to your visa and the academic progression requirements.

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How to apply

If you are an undergraduate or postgraduate taught student and you wish to change your programme of study, the 'Change your course' web page has information on how to apply (student login required).

If you are a postgraduate research student wishing to change your candidature, you must follow the guidance in our code of practice.

Where your new course requires clearance through the Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) you must obtain this before your change of programme/candidature can be approved.

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Changing mode of attendance (MOA)

From full-time to part-time

Where you are on a Student or Tier 4 visa you are not permitted to change your Mode of Attendance to part-time.

You may be entitled to apply for a visa in a different immigration category. Please contact the International Student Support, Advice & Compliance (ISSAC)Team.

From part-time to full-time

Where you are changing your MOA to full-time, you can request a CAS from ISSAC to apply for a visa once your change of candidature is approved.

Study Abroad students

If you:

• are a student from a partner institution overseas; and
• you have come to the UK as a Visitor; and
• you are studying a single semester in Sheffield; and
• you wish to add a further semester to your study here

You will not be able to extend your time in the UK as a Visitor to cover your extra study in Sheffield. If you submit a request to add another semester to your study, you will be advised to leave the UK and apply for a Student visa in your home country. You cannot switch from being a Visitor to a Student visa inside the UK. For more information on the conditions you are subject to if you are in the UK as a Visitor, see here.