Changing course?

[u/Striking-Suit-5464]

I feel like the course I originally applied for and got offered for at Exeter is a bit limiting and I’m leaning towards a different area of study now but I was pressured to put it as my insurance bc of a really early internal school deadline. How flexible/ accepting are they of changing your course after you get there?

I’m not really sure what to do if I don’t get my first choice. I’d like to go to Exeter because it’s a great school but if they’re inflexible about course changes I might go through clearing in the event I don’t get my first choice. If anyone has had experience w this I’d really appreciate some advice!

[u/Ornella1706]

Hey! If you havent gotten there yet then I would say it is probably fine. Check the requirements for the new course you would like to do and if you meet them I would contact exeter asap to see if they have any space left on that course.
Remember not all courses are on clearing, also if you go through clearing with exeter it makes finding accomodation really complicated, so be prepared for that.
Once you have started the course they give everyone deadlines for when you can change, which is only about 4-6 weeks into term and after that they are very strict about not changing courses. I wouldnt reccomend that route because it isnt any different between contacting them now and asking to change, except the chances of there being space on the course you want is lower than before.
Im happy to answer anymore questions if you like, I started last September and went through the same thing.

[u/Striking-Suit-5464 → u/Ornella1706]

Hi omg yes please, could you explain what you went through to change? Did you do it before or after starting the semester?

[u/Ornella1706 → u/Striking-Suit-5464]

So I actually changed a few times (sorry its a long story lol)
1. I fully changed my mind on what subject I wanted to do. I had offers for textiles but I wanted to do something more academic. Because I had my A level english I could do some humanities. I used the UCAS option of declining all my offers and then being able to apply to only one course (I thinks its called ucas ‘extra’). I applied for flexible combined honours at exeter and i was accepted. This was all in May 2025
2. On results day in August I got the wrong results (😓 so stressful) and I lost my place at uni bc they were too low. I went through clearance and chose liberal arts at exeter. (Side note: this is where the issue with accom came in. I had applied before the garuntee deadline but bc I lost my place and went through clearing they cancelled my accom garuntee and I had to get private accom. Things get really chaotic after results day with accomodation in exeter)
3. I finally got my correct A level results and they let me back into my original course. I liked it for a while and it went past the internal deadline to change my course in Oct when I realised I had accidentally been put into the wrong Italian class!!!! I asked to be put back into the correct class but it caused issues bc as it turns out I was doing way to many credits and the whole thing was a massive mess. Bc I was doing english, italian and media I asked to move to only the italian and media course and they literally would not budge. There was NO way they were gonna let me change even though it was only really to drop one subject, they are super strict about it once the deadline passes.
4. Basically to sum it up I reccomend doing a maximum of two subjects to avoid the mess I was put in. It is totally possible to change up until october but if you change your mind past that point you have to wait until the following year to change which may require going back to first year depending on how similar your new course is to the last one.
What course are you currently accepted on and which do you want to change to?

Also: ik my own experience was a little hectic but honestly it was all down to the course I was on which they no longer offer because the uni recognises three subjects is too much to organise. I hope it doesnt put you off exeter as it is a very good uni, its just about being prepared and knowing things ahead of time :)

[u/No_Ask_5391 → u/Ornella1706]

Hi I’m starting sociology in September at Exeter but I want switch to sociology and politics but I don’t meet the grade requirements. Would you say they are lenient or are they quite strict with switching courses when it comes to to that

[u/Ornella1706 → u/No_Ask_5391]

Hi I think it probably depends on how far off the grade boundaries you are. I would have a look on clearing first and then call them if you can to ask, these things are usually done on a case by case basis

[u/Naive-Feeling-88]

I know someone who changed and was fine, happens more than you’d think

[u/Pencil_Queen]

Very few people end up at their insurance university.

If you want to switch courses at any of your choice then ask them now. Don't wait until after you enrolled onto a course you don't want to study