Transferring to a new Master's course at Loughborough University after starting your studies

If you decide to change course after you have started you will need to check:

    • That you meet the entry criteria for the new course you wish to join (check the online prospectus). 
    • That there is a place available for you on the new course via the admissions contact/programme leader. 
    • The student handbook for the transfer procedure. 

If you have missed too much of the new course (e.g. more than 4 weeks at the start of the year) you probably need to restart at the beginning of the next academic year and take a Leave of Absence (LOA) during the time you are waiting between courses. 

Transferring can mean having to pay additional and/or higher tuition fees and may affect any funding, such as scholarships.

Student Finance

Tuition fees

Loughborough University does not charge tuition fees if you take LOA from your course during the first four weeks of the academic year.

If you cease your studies after the end of the fourth week of the academic year, you will be charged tuition fees depending on which term has started:

Term 1

After the end of week 4

Term 2

 

Term 3

 

Term 4

 

25% of the full fees are due 50% of the full fees are due 75% of the full fees are due 100% of the full fees are due

Part time students are charged on a modular basis.

Master’s Loan from Student Finance England

The Master’s Loan is normally only available for full standalone master’s courses, (e.g. 180 credits). If you transfer from one eligible master’s course to another and carry forward modular credit on the second course as a result of the transfer but will study 180 credits in total across both courses, you will remain eligible for funding on the second course.

You are obliged to notify SFE of any changes. This should stop payments while you are not studying. When you transfer your funding to a new course, with a fresh start, you can receive the remaining balance of your Master’s Loan providing your previous course has not ended and you have not withdrawn from the course.

If you wish to change course and retain eligibility for the Master’s Loan it is important to transfer courses, rather than withdraw and reapply.

If you transfer to a course at a different HE provider future payments will not be made until the new provider has confirmed the course change to Student Finance.

If you are able to transfer within the same academic year (e.g. early in the academic year) then your Master’s Loan may not be affected.

The Master’s Loan is normally only available for full standalone master’s courses, (e.g. 180 credits). If you transfer from one eligible master’s course to another and carry forward modular credit on the second course as a result of the transfer but will study 180 credits in total across both courses, you will remain eligible for funding on the second course.

Master’s Loan eligibility if you return and re-join your studies

If you return to start your new course, your funding entitlement will normally be the remaining balance of the previous loan entitlement.

If you resume study after a suspension period of two years or more (whether a continuous period or a cumulative total of shorter suspension periods), further payments will only be released if you provide evidence of a compelling personal reason for having been absent from the course for the total suspension period.

If you are from Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland then you will need to contact the relevant funding body for your country.

Accommodation

If you are in between courses you will need to consider any accommodation contract.

University Halls

  • Complete the accommodation cancellation request form for the Student Accommodation Centre 
  • Remove all your belongings
  • Hand back your keys when you vacate your room. 

You will be charged hall fees up to the LOA date, plus an admin fee equivalent to 4 weeks rent/fees. This fee might be waived if you leave or suspend for medical reasons. 

If you have already paid your hall fees you can ask for a refund of any overpayment if your account is in credit. 

If you are due a refund of your room bond deposit, it is normally refunded within 30 days.

Private Halls and Private Rented Accommodation

If you have signed a contract for a private hall or private house/flat you will probably be liable to pay rent to the end of the contract whether you live there or not. But if you do not wish to live in the accommodation, you can: 

  • Check to see if there is an early release (break) clause in your contract.
  • Try to find a replacement tenant – The landlord or managing agent needs to agree to the transfer to release you from your contract. It is strongly recommended that you sign a deed of surrender or assignment. We can advise you further on this.

If you want to stay in privately managed halls or accommodation whilst waiting to join a new course:

  • If you have arranged to take Leave of Absence you retain your student status for Council Tax and would not normally be liable to pay it. Council tax letters can be requested from the online student self-service system.
  • If you have withdrawn from studies you lose your student status for Council Tax. If you live at the property you will likely become liable for council tax for the whole property (subject to a 25% discount if you are the only non-student living in the property).

Last Updated: 13th December 2023