At York St John University, we understand that your academic journey may evolve, and you might find that your current programme is not the right fit for you. Whether you are seeking a new academic direction, or a different mode of attendance, York St John University provides a structured process for changing your programme.
This article outlines the key steps, policies, and considerations, for students looking to make this change, based on information from the York St John website and the official Change of Programme Policy and Procedure 2024-25 section in our Code of Practice for Assessment and Academic Related Matters.
What does changing your programme mean?
Changing your programme at York St John University could involve:
- switching to a different programme entirely (for example, from English Literature to Law)
- removing/adding a placement year
- altering your mode of study (for example, from full-time to part-time)
This process is designed to ensure that any change aligns with your academic goals and meets University regulations
Key steps to changing your programme
- Continue attending your current programme: There is no guarantee that your request will be approved, so staying engaged keeps your options open.
- Discuss the change with your Programme Lead and/or Academic tutor, and the Programme Lead for the programme you are hoping to join.
- Consider the finance implications. Changing your programme or mode of attendance can affect your tuition fees, student loads, or other funding. Before you submit your request, contact the Funding Advice team to discuss potential impacts and get tailored advice
- Submit your request via e:Vision: To initiate a programme change, log into e:vision and submit a formal request. This is the official starting point and you will need to provide details about your desired programme or mode of study
- Await approval from Registry: Your request is not final until it is approved by the Academic team, the Registry team, and the Visa & Compliance team for all visa-holding students. Once processed, you will received an email confirmation. Until then your current programme remains active.
Important policy details
The Change of Programme Policy and Procedure 2024-25 document (Section 4 of the Code of Practice for Assessment) provides the formal framework for this process. Here are some key points
- Eligibility and timing: Programme change requests are only feasible if you can catch up on any missed content and submit to all assessment deadlines for your new programme, so timing is critical. Check with your Academic Tutor/Programme Lead or the Registry team if you are unsure
- Assessment and credits: If you have already completed modules, credits may transfer to your new programme if they align with its requirements. However, if you are repeating study (for example, restarting a level), previous marks are disregarded, and you will need to submit new work for assessments.
- Consider financial implications. Changing your programme or mode of attendance can affect your tuition fees, student loans, or other funding. Before you submit your request, contact the Funding Advice team to discuss potential impacts and get tailored advice.
- Restarting a programme: Undergraduate students meeting regulatory requirements can request to restart Level 3 or 4 on the same or a different programme in the next academic year. This requires careful planning, advice, and formal approval-speak to your Academic Tutor before proceeding.
- Responsibilities:
- You: It is your responsibility to research your new programme, attend current classes, seek funding/visa advice.
- York St John University: The University ensures your request is reviewed fairly
Things to Consider
- Academic fit: Does the new programme align with your interests and career goals? Discuss your options with your tutor or a careers adviser.
- Financial impact: A change could affect your student finance. Do not skip the funding consultation.
- Time commitment: Switching modes (for example, full-time to part-time) alters your study timeline. Plan accordingly.
- Visa implications (visa holding students): Changes must comply with your visa conditions. Approval from the Visa and Compliance team is mandatory to avoid jeopardizing your legal status in the UK.
How to Get Support
- Academic Tutors/Programme Leads: Your Academic Tutor or Programme Lead, on either programme, can guide you through the academic aspects of the change.
- Funding Advice team: Look on the York St John University website for financial guidance.
- Registry: For procedural questions, please submit a query via the Student Hub
- Visa and Compliance team: Visa holding students should contact this team directly to discuss visa-related implications.
Final tips
Changing your programme is a big decision, but York St John University is here to support you. Start early, seek advice, and follow the process carefully to ensure a smooth transition. For visa holding students, remember that visa approval is an additional step do not proceed without it. For more details download the full Change of Programme Policy and Procedure 2024-25 document.