What happens if I drop out of university?
Sometimes things don’t work out the way you expected. Life happens, and things can get turned upside down – no matter how good it seemed at first. University is a big adjustment, and there are lots of different factors that can affect whether it’s the right fit for you.
Dropping out of university is a difficult decision. And closing the door on this path may feel overwhelming – but it doesn’t need to be. This blog will talk you through how to drop out of university, whether you can transfer universities and more.
This blog will cover:
Why you might want to transfer or drop out of university
Uni is often referred to as the ‘best years of your life’. But, let’s be real, that’s a big statement to live up to. While we truly hope this is the case, it goes without saying that everyone’s experience is different.
If your time at uni so far isn’t all it’s cracked up to be, you’re not alone. By the end of 2023, uni dropout rates were at an all-time high. Whether you’re struggling with homesickness, mental health challenges, or course dissatisfaction, you need to put yourself first.
Money worries can also put a strain on your uni experience – 48% of students in the National Student Money Survey 2024 considered dropping out of university due to money-related reasons. If this speaks to your situation, our Climbing Cost of Living guide may help.
Should you transfer or drop out? Things to consider
Dropping out of uni isn’t a quick decision. It’s important to take some time to self-reflect and talk to those around you. It’s a good time to lean on family, friends and university services for support. Verbalising your thoughts may help you pinpoint exactly what part of university you’re struggling with.
University life isn’t always plain sailing. You need to evaluate whether you think the situation will improve. And, rather than dropping out altogether, you may want to look into how to transfer universities to try a different city.
Try to make the most of the opportunities available at uni. Consider swapping courses to a subject you enjoy more, or even changing accommodation before you take the leap to drop out altogether. You may just need a change of scenery to help reignite your interests.
How to transfer courses at your current university
If you decide that you’d like to transfer to a different university course, the first thing to do is speak to your course tutor. Let them know how you’re feeling and ask what your options are.
It’s important to remember that sometimes it’s not as simple as a straight swap. You may be able to transfer credits you’ve already gained to your new course but, for some, this may not be possible. In this case, you’ll likely need to restart the new course and become a first-year again.
If you’re sure about your decision, university support will be able to help advise you on what’s best. They’ll also need to check practical things like if there’s enough space on the new course and work out timings. In some cases, you may be able to switch in your first term but, in others, you may have to wait until the next academic year.
If you can transfer, you’ll usually need to fill out some paperwork and maybe even attend an interview alongside the transfer request. You’ll need to show that you’re taking your studies seriously and provide reasons for the switch so your tutors can better guide you through the process.
Student loans and transferring courses
Changing your university course can make things a little complicated when it comes to your student loan. But, don’t worry, you’re not the first, and there are people who can advise you.
Transferring courses could also affect the level of student loan you’re entitled to. Plus, restarting university could mean another year of tuition fees, accommodation costs and more. If you’re transferring courses at the end of an academic year, you’ll need to see if you can get funding for an extra year.
Transferring course credits
Whether or not you can transfer course credits depends on the similarity of the course you’re switching to, and whether you’re transferring universities. The rules may also vary depending on the uni, so it’s a good idea to speak to your academic advisors for personal advice.
You may be able to transfer credits to a course within the same school or department. But you’d be less likely to be able to use your existing credits if you switch to a very different course – say, English to Graphic Design, for example. If you can’t use your course credits, it’s worth bearing in mind that you’ll likely need to start the new course from scratch.
Transferring student accommodation
You may love your uni and find the course inspiring, but something’s not quite sitting right at home. If your accommodation isn’t the right fit, there are ways around this, too. If there’s room availability at another Unite Students accommodation, you may be able to transfer between our properties.
In this case, you may need to continue paying for your current room until you can find another eligible tenant to take over. You will also need to pay a £50 cleaning charge to prepare your room for the takeover. For more information, check our cancellation policy.
How to drop out of university
Decided enough is enough and you’re ready to leave? Here’s how to go about dropping out of uni:
Speak to an advisor at uni. They’ll ask for details, including when your last day will be. They’ll send these to Student Finance to work out how much of your loan you’re eligible for.
Contact Student Finance. Sometimes your next loan instalment will have already been processed. You’ll need to return this straight away and inform Student Finance so they can cancel future payments.
Student Finance will reassess your application. They’ll use the date provided by your uni to work out how much Student Finance you need (you can only have funding for the time you were enrolled in study). You’ll be contacted if your loan entitlement is now different.
Repay Student Finance. If you’ve been paid more than you’re now eligible for, you’ll need to pay this back as soon as possible. If this is going to be challenging, you may be able to set up a payment plan.
Student loans and dropping out of university
Student loan repayments can be a worry when you’re dropping out of university. You’ll still have to pay back the money you’ve received if you’ve been given too much – and how much will depend on when you leave.
If you leave partway through a term, you’ll need to pay for a full term’s worth of fees.
If you leave in your third term, you’ll need to cover your fees for the entire year.
If you haven’t been overpaid, you’ll start paying back your loan in the same way as if you’d carried out the remainder of your course. This will be from the April after you depart, as long as you’re earning above the threshold.
If you leave your course in the first year, you’ll usually be able to get full funding for another course if you decide to return in the future. But, if you leave in your second year, you may have to cover some (or all) of the tuition fees for future study. Whatever the case, you’ll usually still be able to get a maintenance loan.
What to do after dropping out
After dropping out of uni, you may be feeling a little uncertain about the future. Your academic journey hasn’t turned out as you expected and you might not be sure what to do with your life now.
But there’s nothing to panic about, even people who go through uni finish with these exact same worries and questions.
In times like this, it may help to realign with your interests and passions. Just because uni wasn’t the path for you, there are other ways to secure your dream career. Depending on how far you got, you may still be able to take the experience you gained and secure a graduate role. Try to attend careers fairs for inspiration and check out internships and apprenticeships in your field.
You may even decide it’s time to take a break before pursuing education or employment. Why not volunteer to gain more skills or give back to your community? Or, you could take this opportunity to see the world and go travelling, experience other cultures and learn about different ways of life.
Whatever you decide, there’s no wrong decision. Everyone’s university experience is unique, and it’s impossible to compare your own to those around you. Take advice from family, friends and tutors but, ultimately, you need to do what’s best for you – even if that’s dropping out of uni.
