How to change university degree if you don’t like your current one?

Every year, many students ask themselves the same question: how to change university degree? Read our article to find out the step-by-step instructions and requirements if you want to change university degree at the same university, at a different university or if you are planning to study abroad. 

Before going into detail, it is important to understand what requirements exist for changing university degree. These requirements may vary depending on the university or autonomous community, but there are three common requirements that are essential: 

Before applying for a change of degree, it is important to bear in mind that you must pass a minimum number of credits (ECTS) in the degree you are currently studying. The minimum number of credits will depend on the degree, university or autonomous community, but it is usually between 30 and 60 credits. If you still don’t know what university credits are, they are the units that measure the estimated time of a student’s academic dedication, including classes, individual study, assignments and exams. 

But why is it important to pass the minimum number of credits required? To prove that you have completed part of the degree, you should try to pass the course and apply for a change of degree for the following year. If you want to withdraw from the degree before passing the minimum number of credits required, you will probably have to re-enrol as a new student.

As mentioned in the previous requirement, if you do not have the minimum number of credits required and you have to re-enrol and register as a first-year student, you will have to take into account the admission mark of the degree you want to change to.

If the university or degree programme in question receives more applications than places available, it is important to consider whether you should re-enrol in the Selectividad exams and improve your entry grade. In this case, you can choose to retake the Selectividad exams from scratch or simply choose the optional subjects to help you raise your average mark.

As a general rule, universities have their own timetable for applying for a change of university degree. Most open this process during the summer months between June and September. However, it is important that you check the key dates on your university’s website. 

On the other hand, you should not only take into account the key dates, but also what documents are required in order to make the change of university degree correctly.

It is most common to change university degree once the academic year is over, as this is the most effective way to do so. However, many students decide to change a degree once the academic year has begun or during the academic year. Some universities allow students to change if there are vacancies in the degree they are applying for, but this can mean a loss of time, money and difficulty in the validation of subjects for the student. In order for the change to be as efficient as possible, it is important that the student finishes the current semester, makes the application during the key dates for changes and joins the new degree at the beginning of the next academic year.

Changing university degree within the same university is a quicker process with fewer administrative complications for the student. In addition, this change allows more possibilities for the validation of subjects, as both degrees can share the same basic contents of the syllabus. In order for the student to know how to change university degree at the same university, it is important:

• Consult the university’s internal regulations and find out its criteria and procedures. 
• Check the availability of places in the degree you are applying for, as this may be a limiting factor if the degree is in high demand.
• Prepare the required documentation such as the academic transcript, a letter of motivation for the change of degree, among other documents requested by the university.
• Submit the application within the established deadlines in order to respect the periods established by the institution, which coincide with the months prior to the start of the academic year. *This guarantees the student a better academic adaptation and a positive transition.

If a student wants to transfer to another university or institution, it can be a more complex process than in the previous case, as it requires taking into account different administrative, academic and, in some cases, logistical aspects. However, it is a very viable option for students if the change is in line with professional and personal goals. In order to understand how to change university degree at another university, it is important for the student to be aware of several key factors to take into account: 

In this case, the student who wants to change university degree abroad must go through a more specific and, in most cases, more demanding process in terms of documentation and academic validation. The student must understand how to change university degree at a university abroad. There are three common situations in this case:

1.If once the student has started a university degree in Spain, he wants to continue his education outside the country, it is important to bear in mind that the key steps are as follows:

• • Research the educational systems in the destination country, as each country has its own system of studies, access criteria and admission requirements. 
  • Ensure the equivalence of your current studies by providing your transcript of records and official academic transcript, detailed description of the subjects taken and sworn translation, if required.
  • Demonstrate language proficiency if the degree is taught in another language by providing the official language certificate with a minimum score required by the university. 
  • Apply for the place at the host university, attaching the required documentation such as the letter of motivation, academic transcript, letters of recommendation and the results of the specific tests.

2.If the student is already studying abroad and wants to transfer to a foreign university, he should find out about the admission criteria, translation of documents, language requirements and possible validations.

3.If you are studying abroad and want to return to Spain, you will need to obtain validations, legalisations and follow the established university access procedure.

Another very important factor to take into account is the validation of subjects. This will determine the credits previously taken by the student and which will be recognised in the new study plan, saving time and academic effort. The recognition of credits is not automatic and depends on several factors such as:

• Similarity between study plans
• The equivalence between the home and host university
• Subjects passed and their contents
• Type of subject, as core or basic subjects are more likely to be validated.

To apply for credit recognition, the student must do so at the beginning of the following academic year or semester and follow these steps:

• Provisionally enrol in the new degree.
• Submit a formal application for validation.
• Submit the required documentation, which usually includes:
• • Official transcript of the student’s grades
  • Detailed syllabus of the subjects passed
  • Syllabus of the previous degree
  • Sworn translation or legalization

If the university does not recognise any subjects, the student will have to start a new degree programme from scratch. For this reason, it is very important to find out about the possible recognition of credits beforehand in order to avoid duplication and to assess whether the academic change is worthwhile.

Now you know how to change university degree, so you should assess whether it is the right step to guarantee the success of your professional and academic career. Whether the change is within the same university, at another institution or even abroad, you must take into account the requirements, deadlines and the possibilities of validation of these subjects.

Changing university degree is not synonymous with failure, but rather with maturity and adaptation to the student’s real professional goals and objectives. In our blog on how to choose a university degree, the most common mistakes when choosing your degree, you will find different tips that will help you evaluate your new options without making the same mistakes.

At Unihabit we understand how challenging this stage of change and important decisions can be for students. That’s why we not only offer a comfortable and well-communicated space, but also a supportive environment and the resources to accompany you through this academic stage. If you are looking for universities in Barcelona to study, or if you have decided to study in Girona and are looking for halls of residence for students, Unihabit will give you options adapted to your needs. If, on the other hand, you are looking what study in Manresa or university residences in Sant Cugat del Vallès, we also offer you accommodation designed to make your time at university easier and help you feel at home from the very first day.