Whether studying in China or abroad, many students will face the need to transfer schools for various reasons. International students in Australia often encounter similar situations.
Common reasons for transfer include:
– After studying for one semester, you find that the major is not suitable for you?
– Feel that the major you are studying is too difficult?
– Have good grades and want to transfer to a better university?
– Hope to get a diploma from a prestigious university for better development when returning to China?
– Considering going to remote areas to prepare for immigration applications?
Of course, there are also some forced transfers, such as:
– Failed to pass the preparatory course and could not be directly promoted;
– Near the end of the semester, insufficient preparation, and major mistakes in the exam;
– Poor grades and facing the risk of expulsion;
– Already expelled and must transfer to continue their studies.
If you are studying in Australia and plan to transfer or change your major, this guide will help you understand the key steps and precautions!
01 – Steps to change major
It is usually easier to change majors within the same school. You can:
Contact a student advisor:
Consult the student advisor for details of the new course, find out if the course is suitable for you, and confirm the admission requirements.
Apply for a change of major:
Submit the application within the time specified by the school and wait for the school to approve it.
Tips: If the new major overlaps with the current course, the credits previously taken will usually not be wasted.
When changing degrees or colleges, it is recommended to consult the student center first (such as Monash Connect at Monash and Stop 1 at Melbourne University).
02 – Notes on Transferring
Visa Compliance: Student visa regulations must be followed when transferring, and specific requirements may vary depending on the reason for the transfer.
Score and Language Requirements: Most schools do not disclose specific score cutoffs, and the evaluation may be based on your background. Some majors may require English scores, but they can usually be exempted.
Main Course Requirements: Students generally need to complete at least 6 months of main courses at their original school before they can transfer. If there is a release letter, the time limit no longer applies.
03 – Release Letter Application Process
A Release Letter is a formal notification issued by a school to international students, confirming that you have been allowed to leave school and can enroll in a new educational institution. The application process is as follows:
Get an offer from a new school: Prerequisites for applying for a Release Letter.
Understand the application process: Read the school’s release letter application process and consult the student center if necessary.
Fill out the application form: Include a personal statement (very important) to explain why you need to transfer.
Submit the application and wait for a response: After submitting the application, wait for the school to process and get the Release Letter.
Think the steps are too complicated? Don’t know how to write a personal statement? Contact ACIC now, we will help you prepare all the materials so that you can easily get an admission letter from the new school!
04 – Student Visa Status
Course Level Changes: If your course level changes after transferring (e.g. from undergraduate to diploma), you may need to apply for a new visa.
Renewal Reminder: If the completion date of your new course exceeds the validity period of your current visa, be sure to apply for renewal in advance.
Visa Expiration Note: August 15 and the end of August are visa expiration dates for many students, so be sure to check your visa status. If you need help, feel free to contact us!
05 – Examples
Main course definition: For example, a student studied preparatory, diploma and undergraduate courses at University A, and the main course is undergraduate. If you want to transfer to another school while studying preparatory courses, you need to apply for a release letter.
6-month calculation method: For example, you start studying for a master’s degree at University B in March 2024 and plan to transfer to University A in July 2024. If you transfer to another school before the main course is 6 months, you need to apply for a release letter even if you have an admission letter from the new school.
06 – Others
Consequences of not being able to obtain a release letter: If you cannot obtain a release letter, the new school will not be able to provide you with a Confirmation of Enrollment (COE), which may affect the transfer process.
What if the course is not suitable and has not been in place for 6 months? Read the school’s release letter application process carefully, write a true and detailed personal statement, explain why the current course is not suitable, and provide relevant written evidence (such as a doctor’s certificate for health problems, etc.).
Recent Comments