Can I change my course after admission?

Yes, you can change your course after applying or even after receiving an admission offer, but the timing of the request matters. Generally, changing your course before enrollment is a straightforward administrative process. However, changing after admission involves checking seat availability, meeting course requirements, notifying visa authorities, and more.

When can you change your course?

There could be several reasons why you want to change your course:

1. You realise that the course you chose does not align with your interests. You might realise this only after exploring the course a little bit more. You may find that a different course aligns more closely with what you were expecting and were interested in.
2. You reach the threshold of adjusting to a course you didn’t want to study. Sometimes, students choose courses out of compulsion, due to a lack of choice or peer pressure. The realisation strikes them late that the chosen course is not what they eventually want. The next best step is to switch your course.
3. Career prospects: Sometimes, the information you find online or even through news channels could be misleading. A subject that promises high job prospects in the future might not necessarily deliver on these promises by the time you complete the course. When you begin to understand this, you might want to switch your course to one that offers better career prospects.
4. External factors: There could be factors that are not really in your control. Your financial situation might have changed, and you might want to switch to a more affordable course. Your family’s expectations might pressure you to change your course.
5. Personal growth: You might have expected the course to be more challenging, exciting, and to teach you innovative topics. But the curriculum could turn out to be outdated and dull. If this disappoints you and you can’t continue further, you might consider switching your course.

The ease of changing your course depends on the stage of application:

There is no single rule governing course change requests across universities abroad.

*Example: At the University of Liverpool, you can request a change to a different course by completing a 'change request' form. However, note that this does not guarantee a seat in the new course, and amendments cannot be made once registration is completed.

**Example: At Purdue University, the process is called a Change of Degree Objective (CODO), and you are required to reach out to your academic advisor to proceed. At the University of Houston, changing your course is possible; however, the process depends on where you are in your academic journey.

Factors to consider before changing your course

• Check whether you are sure about your decision: Before deciding to change your course, it is important to reflect on whether you are very sure about the decision. Changing your course will have long-term implications on your life, career, and future as a whole. A hasty decision might result in regret later. 
• Switching courses could be difficult: Changing your course can be a complex process, and frequent switches or reversals might not be encouraged. There could be administrative challenges and limitations that you should be prepared to face.
• Are you sure about the course you want to switch to? You should ensure that the course you want to switch to genuinely aligns with your expectations. Research well and talk to professors and students to know exactly what this new course involves and to assess yourself on whether you will be able to do it or not. 
• Did you consider the career prospects? The demand for professionals in that field, the professional growth that you can expect, and the salary and job availability are all factors to consider.
• Are you ready to face the financial and academic implications? Are there credit transfer policies? Will your new course take longer to complete? Is there a difference in the tuition fee? Will you be able to manage it?

Only if you are confident you can manage these aspects should you proceed with changing your course.

You are not alone in your journey. Connect with real international students and discover what studying abroad is really like. Learn more about the community and sign up to join us.

Changing your course: The visa impact

Visa rules have seen several changes in the last few years, and you should be aware of the implications of changing your course while on a student visa in a foreign country.

Changing your course will not update your visa status automatically. Failure to follow the correct processes can result in loss of your immigration status or visa cancellations. Here are the country-wise details you should be aware of:

Visa implications of changing your course in the UK:

• The university must inform all course changes to the home office.
• You may need a new Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) from your university.
• You may require a new student visa or extend your existing one based on the academic level of your new course.

Visa implications of changing your course in the USA:

• Your visa status is tied to a document called Form I-20 and is tracked in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Your course change should be captured in these places.
• Your SEVIS record must be updated by your Designated School Official (DSO).
• Failure to follow the processes will place you out of status, which may then require reinstatement or re-entry.

Visa implications of changing your course in Australia:

• Before changing your course, you should inform the Department of Home Affairs to ensure that you continue to comply with visa conditions.
• You may need a new Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). 
• Your Genuine Student Requirement may be reassessed.

Visa implications of changing your course in Canada:

Starting November 2024, students are expected to be enrolled in the Designated Learning Institution (DLI) named on their study permit. If you change your university, you will need a new study permit.

If you switch to a new programme at the same DLI, you can continue to study, provided you meet all other visa conditions.

What is the impact on academics and finances?

• Eligibility requirements: You would have met the entry requirements for the current course, but it doesn’t automatically mean you are eligible for the new course you want to join. The English language requirements or other academic requirements could vary.
• Seat availability: Is there a vacant seat for this new course? If the faculties had completed the admissions to their courses, then it would be difficult to find a vacant seat for you in the new course.
• Credit transfers: what about the time you spend on the current course? Credit transfers are not possible between all programmes. Before you switch, understand how much of your previous coursework will count towards this new course.
• Duration of studies: Your new course might take longer, especially if additional coursework is involved. It would be best if you planned accordingly.
• Scholarships and tuition fees: The tuition fee for the new course could vary. Changing courses does not guarantee that you continue to be eligible for the scholarship. Check the university’s and scholarship-granting authority’s policies regarding the same. How much more does it cost? All this could impact your financial aid, or if you are self-financing, then your budget. You should be aware of the minimum budget to study abroad.

You can find student perspectives on university applications and other aspects of studying abroad in our collection of international Student Stories.

How to change your course?

1. Talk to the head of your department about why you feel the need to change your course.
2. Check the prerequisites. Ensure your current profile meets the requirements of the new department.
3. Complete the formal steps required to submit a course change request.
4. Confirm funding to ensure that your student loan or scholarship remains valid for the new programme.
5. Finally, ensure that your visa documents reflect the new course title and duration.

We wish you the best in your study-abroad journey!

Editor's note: This article was originally published in June 2017. We included up-to-date information and made it comprehensive in April 2026.