Changing or leaving your degree

Sometimes things don't go to plan, we're here to help

Sometimes things don’t go to plan and you find yourself thinking of leaving university or the decision has been made for you.  Although this can be an unsettling time it is important to focus on the positives of your time at Edinburgh and what the future holds. Finishing university early can be constructive, especially if you have been struggling with your course or not enjoying the experience. 

Practical steps to take   

1. Arrange a meeting with your student adviser 

They can help you to understand: 

  • The process of transferring to a different degree programme and whether it is possible; 

  • If you are thinking of leaving the university, whether you have passed enough courses/gained enough credits to have achieved an award: 

Undergraduate students 

  • Certificate of Higher Education (CertHE) 

  • Diploma of Higher Education (DipHE) 

  • Ordinary Degree 

Adding these to your CV will remove the issue of a gap and demonstrate a level of academic success. You can see their equivalences on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) website: 

Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework 

2. Arrange a meeting with your careers consultant

They can help you to understand: 

  • What has happened to make you want to change or leave 
  • What implications this may have on your future plans 

As well as supporting you to plan your next steps. 

3. Reflect on your time at Edinburgh 

During your time at the University of Edinburgh you will have had lots of valuable experiences and developed key skills which will help your career. Try to reflect on what has not worked to ensure you are clear on why you are leaving the university. Don’t be tempted to omit your time at Edinburgh from your CV. You should include it and be prepared to talk to recruiters about why you left early and - crucially - what you have learned from the experience. 

International Student? 

If you are studying on a Tier 4 or student visa then it is important that you contact the Student Immigration Service to let them know that you are leaving university. 

If you are going to return to another country you may want to look at our information about working outside the UK. 

Looking forward, what are your options? 

Getting a job 

The majority of jobs do not require a degree and having A-Levels/Highers (and possibly a university award) will help you and open more doors. However, you may need to look at entry-level jobs and aim to work your way up through the organisation. Graduate training schemes are unlikely to be an option for you without an honours level degree. 

Jobcentre Plus is the government-funded organisation which aims to help people get jobs or employment-related benefits.  If you are not sure what sort of job you want to do, begin with the Understand Yourself section of Careers Compass. 

Staying in education 

If you are considering another university course make sure you research the institution thoroughly. Attend  (virtual) open days, if you can. Universities vary greatly in many ways including how they approach teaching and their culture.  Try to speak to current students. Don’t forget the Open University as sometimes it is possible to study part-time and “top up” the qualification you have achieved at Edinburgh. Other traditional ‘bricks & mortar’ universities may also offer these options. 

It is important to check what funding you have remaining for your alternative study, as this may have been affected: 

You may have decided that university education is not for you, but still want to get a qualification. You could consider a vocational course. These are often delivered through Further Education colleges or professional bodies. Some vocational courses are offered by providers such as LearnDirect.  

Apprenticeships may allow you to combine studying with a job. Recently, some graduate/university apprenticeships have been developed, offering a degree at the end of the process, as well as a job. 

Taking time out 

You may want to take some time to consider your options after leaving university. This can be a useful thing to do whether you decide to stay at home or take some time to travel. Our resources on taking time out will help you get started. 

Who else can help you? 

In addition to speaking to the university’s Careers Service [Hyperlink to “I need more help” section], for information about non-graduate job roles and apprenticeships, use: 

Scotland 

England 

Wales 

Northern Ireland 

 

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