Changes to Studies

Recognition of Prior Certified Learning

Should you find you have picked a non-compulsory course you do not like, you can change it yourself in MyCurriculum up to the end of:

• The second week of teaching for 11 week courses
•  The first week of teaching for 5/6 week courses and Sixth Century courses (prefix SX)

Please note that during the first term you can continue to make changes to your second term's course selection.

Thereafter if you wish to change a course or withdraw from a course, or get stuck, you can discuss this with the Duty Registry Officer and ask them to make the change to your curriculum.

If you still have an academic course content question to ask, after having consulted the Calendar (Degree Regulations) and Catalogue you should contact the relevant School to discuss.

Within the same degree eg MA to MA (not including MA Education)

If you wish to change degree programme, but remain within the same area of study you must discuss this with the Duty Registry Officer in the Infohub and ask them to make the change to your curriculum.

Non-Tier 4 students in programme years 1 and 2 will be able to transfer programme within the same area of study through the online course selection system (MyCurriculum - when it is open)

Moving to a different type of degree eg LLB to MA (not including MA Education)

If you wish to transfer from one area of study to another within the University eg MA to BSc, LLB to MA, BSc to BEng etc, you must apply to transfer by completing an Internal Transfer readmission form.

When should I complete this form?

If you wish to transfer degree programme at the beginning of the academic year, in September, it is recommended that this form be returned to the University no later than 15 July.

If you wish to transfer degree programme for the second half-session of study, which starts in January, it is recommended that the form be returned to the University no later than 15 November.

There is no guarantee that forms submitted after these dates will be considered. 

Moving to MA Education

If you wish to transfer to MA Education, the internal transfer form must be submitted to educationregistryofficer@abdn.ac.uk by 5pm on 29 January 2025 for September 2025 entry.  Please enclose a Personal Statement (such as that required by UCAS) with your application. Successful applicants will be required to attend an interview.  

Transfers are normally into level 1 but may be considered for level 2 if you achieve at least 120 credits at level 1 and achieve at least a C3 in all courses.

Applications will not be considered after this deadline.

Where should I submit the form?
You can submit your form by email to undergraduate.

What happens when I submit my form?
Once we receive your form, it is sent to the relevant Admissions Selector for consideration, and we will notify you of their decision by email. The length of time it takes to process your application will depend on the time of year it is submitted.

‘Mode of Study’ indicates whether you are a full-time or part-time student.

If you are thinking of changing your mode of study from full-time study to part-time (or vice-versa), you should complete the Mode of Study form, then take it to the Duty Registry Officer in the Infohub to discuss it.

Before then, you may find it useful to speak to Your Personal Tutor who is on hand to help you settle into university life and give pastoral support, if you need some specific advice they can advise you where to go.  The Student Support team are on hand to give confidential advice and information on personal matters, financial issues, disability matters and more. Your School Retention and Engagement Contact will also be happy to speak to you, and they could also arrange for you to speak to a Contact from another School if you would like

At the beginning of the academic year some students can make this change themselves. Those who cannot do so:

• Students holding a Tier 4 visa
• Students on a degree programme that does not offer an alternative mode of study.
• Students on an honours degree programme in years 3 and above

Please note:
1. A change to your mode of study will have an effect on how much tuition fees you pay and who pays this. 
2. Part-time students are not eligible to receive government funding and are liable for paying council tax.

Scottish students can find further details here.

Students from the Rest of the UK should consult the relevant website for their country.

• Student Finance England
• Student Finance Wales
• Student Finance Northern Ireland

3. Part-time students are liable for paying council tax.

Withdrawing from Study or taking a break (UG)

Although we do not like to see students withdraw or take a break from study we understand that sometimes it is necessary. If you are thinking of leaving there is a range of support and advice available to ensure that leaving is the right decision for you and that you know all the options available.

If you are a student studying on a Visa you should discuss your withdrawal/taking a break with a Registry Officer and the Student Immigration Compliance Team in the first instance to make sure you are aware of any implications to your Visa. 

You may find this guide helpful to understand the process

Your Personal Tutor is on hand to help you settle into university life and give pastoral support, if you need some specific advice they can advise you where to go.

If you are concerned about your progress in a particular course your Course Coordinator may be able to help. If you are worried about your general progress in your programme of study your Registry Officer can give advice on your options and can sometimes liaise with the school to find a route forward.

The Student Support team are on hand to give confidential advice and information on personal matters, financial issues, disability matters and more.

Our friendly Infohub staff are available to point you in the right direction if you are unsure who to speak to.

Your School Retention and Engagement Contact will also be happy to speak to you, and they could also arrange for you to speak to a Contact from another School if you would like.

How do I withdraw or take a break?

Once you have discussed your options with a staff member and you feel that leaving is the right thing to do you should complete a form as soon as possible. The date you withdraw may affect your tuition fees so it is important to submit it once you have made the decision. Unfortunately we cannot backdate your withdrawal if you forget to submit the form. If you are worried about how your tuition fees will be affected by leaving or taking a break in your studies your Registry Officer can offer advice. You could also have a look at the Refund Policy available in the Tuition Fees website.

If you are a Medicine, Dentistry, Physician Associate or Education student, you must meet with your Programme Lead (Education), or Student Support Lead (Medicine) before submitting the completed withdrawal form. Please also be aware that if you choose to apply to return, for healthcare & medicine, you must provide a letter from your GP stating that you are fit to return to studies with submission of readmission form.  You will then be referred to Occupational Health, complete an online health questionnaire and a referral form will be sent to the school.

Where should I submit the form?

You can submit your form by email to undergraduate.

What happens next?

Once you have submitted your form, this will be processed by Registry and confirmation will be sent to the email address provided on the withdrawal form.

You may wish to keep in touch with the university after you have withdrawn from study, our FAQ gives helpful information on IT access, funding, applying for resits, visas and what to do when you are ready to return to study. You may be contacted by your school or department about information you provided on your withdrawal form.

We welcome readmission applications from past students and your Registry Officer is happy to answer any queries you may have about returning to the University of Aberdeen. Further information on readmission is available on the readmission website.

Associate Student Status is only available to students who were previously registered with the University for the year after a withdrawal from study, and who wish to retain access to library and computing facilities.  As such it is popular with students who are taking resit exams whilst withdrawn from study.

What are the benefits of Associate Student status?
Associate students retain an ID card. They also retain their access to the Library and associated borrowing rights, and also to the University’s computing facilities.

Associate students can also request subject-specific support from academic staff and access to student support/welfare facilities, including support from the Student Learning Service.

Please note:

• Associate Students are not considered to be registered students and are not entitled to receive a student loan or exemption from Council Tax
• You are not eligible to apply for Associate Student status if you have an outstanding debt to the University
• There is a fee of £120 unless you are also registering for resits. In which case, payment of your resit fee will include Associate Student status, giving you IT access / access to VLE etc to support taking your resits.

How do I apply to be an Associate Student?
If you wish to apply for Associate Student status, please complete the Associate Student form.

Once you have completed the form, please email it to undergraduate@abdn.ac.uk

If you wish to leave the University of Aberdeen and transfer to another institution you will need to follow procedures to withdraw from study. Details on how to do this are available from the Withdrawing from, or Suspending Studies form.

For details regarding admission to other Universities, please contact the admissions department of the institution you are seeking entry to.  If required by the other institution, you are able to buy a copy of your University Transcript (your official academic record) via the Online Store.

• Changing degree programme or changing between full-time and part-time study
• Readmission to study

If you are thinking of leaving there is a range of support and advice available to ensure that leaving is the right decision for you and that you know all the options available.

You may find this guide helpful to understand the process

If you are concerned about your progress in a particular course your Course Coordinator may be able to help. If you are worried about your general progress in your programme of study your Registry Officer can give advice on your options and can sometimes liaise with the school to find a route forward.

The Student Support team are on hand to give confidential advice and information on personal matters, financial issues, disability matters and more.

Our friendly Infohub staff are available to point you in the right direction if you are unsure who to speak to.

Your School Retention and Engagement Contact will also be happy to speak to you, and they could also arrange for you to speak to a Contact from another School if you would like.

If you are looking to take a temporary break from your study, with a view to resuming at a later date, you can apply for a suspension of study for a fixed period.

Taught Postgraduates are required to seek the approval of their programme coordinator for suspending study.  You should discuss with your programme coordinator what options are open to you and when the most appropriate time to resume studies would be.

Suspensions of study can be sought for a period of up to 12 months maximum.

If you are looking to leave study permanently, or to leave for longer than 12 months, you can complete a withdrawal form and return it to the Infohub or email postgraduate@abdn.ac.uk. Please note that, if you have withdrawn from study, and later decide that you wish to resume study, you can apply for Readmission.

Withdrawing or suspending from study may affect your tuition fees; please see our Refund Policy available on the tuition fees website, or contact tuitionfees@abdn.ac.uk for more information.

If you are a full-time Taught student, you are automatically exempt from paying Council tax. You can ask for a confirmation of your student status at the Infohub.

Associate Student Status is only available to students who were previously registered with the University for the year after a withdrawal from study, and who wish to retain access to library and computing facilities.  As such it is popular with students who are taking resit exams whilst withdrawn from study.

What are the benefits of Associate Student status?
Associate students retain an ID card. They also retain their access to the Library and associated borrowing rights, and also to the University’s computing facilities.

Associate students can also request subject-specific support from academic staff and access to student support/welfare facilities, including support from the Student Learning Service.

Please note:

• Associate Students are not considered to be registered students and are not entitled to receive a student loan or exemption from Council Tax
• You are not eligible to apply for Associate Student status if you have an outstanding debt to the University

How do I apply to be an Associate Student?
If you wish to apply for Associate Student status, please complete the Associate Student form.
Associate Student status costs £120 for the academic year.

Once you have completed the form, please email it to postgraduate@abdn.ac.uk 

• Changing degree programme or changing between full-time and part-time study
• Reducing study period
• Changing to off-campus study
• Council tax: apply for council tax exemption
• Extending thesis submission date
• Intention to submit thesis form
• Thesis deposit and declaration check-list
• Opt out of the University's rules governing student intellectual property rights (IPR)

If you are looking to take a temporary break from your study, with a view to resuming at a later date, you can apply for a suspension of study for a fixed period.

Research Postgraduates should discuss with their supervisor as to what options are open to you and when the most appropriate time to resume studies would be.  You should also refer to the Code of Practice for Research Students, which provides guidance on the regulations surrounding suspension of study.

Suspensions of study can be sought for a period of up to 12 months at a time.

If you are looking to leave study permanently, you can complete a withdrawal form and return it to the Infohub or email postgraduate@abdn.ac.uk.

Withdrawing or suspending from study may affect your tuition fees; please see our Refund Policy available on the tuition fees website, or contact tuitionfees@abdn.ac.uk for more information.

If you were a full-time student during your supervised study period, and you live in Aberdeen, you can apply for council tax exemption for up to 12 months if you have applied for an extension for writing-up.

Please note that this is an agreement with Aberdeen City Council only, and is for a maximum of 12 months from completion of your supervised study period.