Deciding to change your university is a significant step in any student’s academic journey. It’s a move that can shape your future, but it also brings a need to update your student finance details carefully.
If you’re wondering “how to change university on student finance”, this comprehensive guide unpacks every step, helping you avoid common mistakes and ensuring your funding is secure.
Can You Change Your University on Student Finance?
Yes, you can change your university on Student Finance – you don’t need to reapply for funding. Instead, you simply update your details through your online student finance account, or, if your course has already started, ask your current or new university to notify Student Finance on your behalf.
Student Finance England (and its counterparts in Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland) allows students to update their university details on their student finance application.
You do not need to reapply for funding. Instead, you must update the relevant sections of your student finance account as soon as your decision is finalised.
Whether you’re making this change before your course has started or part-way through the academic year, there’s a process to follow, ensuring your tuition fee loan and maintenance loan continue without a hitch.
Steps to Change Your University on Student Finance
Changing your university on student finance is straightforward if you follow the proper steps.
If Your New Course Has NOT Started
- Log into your online student finance account:
Head to www.gov.uk/student-finance-register-login.
- Navigate to your applications:
Select ‘Undergraduate student finance applications’ and pick the relevant one.
- Update your details:
Under ‘Manage your student finance,’ select ‘View and manage your applications.’
- Select ‘Change your application’ twice:
This will bring up the fields you need.
- Choose ‘University/college and course’:
Enter the new institution and course details.
- Review your changes:
Double-check everything before submitting.
If Your Course Has Already Started
- Inform your current university or college:
They must notify Student Finance England of the change.
- Contact your new institution:
Ensure they’ve confirmed your place and will send a ‘Notification of Student Transfer’.
- Complete any requested paperwork:
Sometimes you’ll need to provide additional documentation or forms, especially if changing mid-year or via Clearing.
Tip: For EU students and those in Northern Ireland, Wales, or Scotland, local government or education authorities may have their own systems and forms, such as the EUCO1 for course changes.
Also Read: Your Essential Guide to UCAS Courses and Universities
What Happens After You Submit Changes?
Making changes to your university details with Student Finance England is a pivotal administrative step, but understanding the practical outcomes can help you plan and avoid any unpleasant surprises.
Application Reassessment
- Comprehensive Review:
Student Finance England doesn’t just check the new institution and course information. They re-examine every aspect, from tuition fees, enrollment dates, your living arrangements, to whether the new course affects your total years of entitlement.
- Coordination with Universities:
Both your old and new universities may be contacted to confirm attendance dates and tuition fees, which ensures funding is assigned correctly. Expect requests for additional documentation if transferring mid-year or between different fee regimes (e.g., an English student moving to a Welsh university).
Loan and Support Adjustments
- Automatic Recalculation:
Your tuition fee loan and maintenance loan are recalculated. If your new university charges higher fees or you’ll be living in a higher-cost city, your loan amounts are adjusted accordingly.
- Impact on Supplementary Grants:
Grants such as Disabled Students’ Allowances, childcare grants or adult dependants’ grants can also be affected, especially if your course type or study mode changes. SFE reviews these automatically, but it’s wise to check your online portal for updates.
Communication and Confirmation
- Clear Communication:
You’ll receive an updated Student Finance Entitlement letter—by email or post—detailing your new loan amounts, grant eligibility, payment schedule, and any actions needed from you (such as confirmation of enrollment).
- Account Updates:
Your online Student Finance account will reflect all changes so you can track processing and see when payments are scheduled.
Also Read: List Of Important Documents Required For Study Abroad In 2025!
Once your changes are processed, the next step is understanding how they affect your funding. Both your tuition fee loan and maintenance loan may be adjusted to reflect your new course and university details.
Impact on Your Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan
When you change universities, Student Finance will reassess your funding. This can affect both your Tuition Fee Loan (paid to the university) and your Maintenance Loan (paid to you for living costs).
1. Tuition Fee Loan
- Higher fees at your new university → Loan amount may increase.
- Lower fees at your new university → Loan amount may decrease.
Student Finance pays the university directly; you don’t handle these payments yourself. However, you’re still responsible for covering any tuition costs already owed to your old university for the time you studied there.
2. Maintenance Loan
The amount you get depends on where you live and study. Moving to a higher-cost area (or from home to away) can increase it, and vice versa. It’s also recalculated based on your new course’s length and location. Previous years of study may affect how much funding you can still receive.
Also Read: Student Loan Repayment – How Does It Work?
Funding Impact at a Glance
| Scenario | Tuition Fee Loan Impact | Maintenance Loan Impact | Responsibility for Previous Fees |
| Higher fees at new university | Increases | Might increase | Yes – must pay old university’s fees incurred |
| Lower fees at new university | Decreases | Might decrease | Yes – must pay old university’s fees incurred |
| Moving mid-year | Pro-rata adjustment | Reassessment; possible delay | Yes – must pay old university’s fees incurred |
| Changing mode (full-time → part-time) | Changes eligibility | Adjusted to new mode | Yes – must pay old university’s fees incurred |
| Changing after first year | Uses “plus one” year rule | May reduce final-year cover | Yes – must pay old university’s fees incurred |
When Should You Submit Changes?
Timing is crucial. You should submit your changes as soon as you’ve decided to move and your new university has confirmed your place.
- If moving before the academic year starts: Update online immediately.
- If mid-year: Inform both your old and new institutions and Student Finance England straightaway.
Delaying your application update can result in:
- Late loan payments
- Overpayments that must be repaid promptly
- Disruption in maintenance support
Changing University Mid-Year: Special Considerations
Switching universities part-way through the academic year is increasingly common — whether due to Clearing, personal circumstances, or a change in study plans. However, it comes with specific financial and academic implications you should be aware of:
- Tuition Fee Liability
- You’ll usually be charged full tuition fees for any term you’ve attended at your previous university, even if you leave mid-year.
- Your Student Finance funding for the new course will only cover the period you’re officially enrolled there.
- Student Finance Entitlement (“Plus One” Rule)
- You are entitled to funding for your course length + one extra year.
- If you’ve already repeated a year before, you might not have enough funding left to cover all the years at your new university.
- Extenuating Circumstances
- If you’re transferring due to illness, bereavement, or other serious reasons, you may qualify for extra funding.
- You’ll need to provide official evidence to support your case.
- Maintenance Loan Adjustments
- If you move to a new location or switch to part-time study, your maintenance loan will be reassessed.
- Living costs vary, so the amount may go up or down.
- Credit Transfer & Academic Progression
- Depending on how much of your first course you completed, you may be able to transfer credits — or you might have to start the new course from the beginning.
- Starting over could mean paying tuition and living costs for an extra year.
Changing your university is rarely a decision made lightly. If you’re wondering how to change university on student finance, adjusting your student finance details is an essential part of making this transition smooth and financially secure.
From logging into your online account and updating your application to notifying institutions and understanding the impact on your loans, every step is manageable with the right information and timely action.
Need help settling into your new university city? UniAcco makes student accommodation simple, helping you find safe, affordable, and fully furnished housing near your campus – so you can focus on your studies without the stress.
FAQs
Q1. How do I change my university on Student Finance?
Log in to your online student finance account, select your current application, and update the university/course section, then confirm your changes.
Q2. Will changing university affect my loan amounts?
Yes, your tuition fee loan and maintenance loan will be reassessed and may go up or down depending on your new fees and location.
Q3. What if I change university after the academic year has started?
Inform both universities promptly and expect adjustments to your loan payments. You may also be responsible for full-term fees at your previous institution.
Q4. Can I get extra funding if I have to repeat a year or move for personal reasons?
Student Finance England allows an extra year of funding (“plus one” rule) and may grant additional support for exceptional personal circumstances if you provide evidence.
Q5. Do I need to re-apply for student finance when changing universities?
No, you simply update your existing application, unless advised otherwise by Student Finance England or your new institution.
0 Comments