To be annoyed at my unis response

[Stansmith01]

This is my first time posting posting in AIBU, I don't know whether I should've posted here or in the higher education boards... oh well
I've just finished my first year and wanted to change courses because I found it be to rather underwhelming (def not worth the extortionate fees I'm paying). I wanted to change to a joint honours course (so staying with half of my course but studying a new half alongside). I contacted my course director at uni who kindly took the time to meet me to discuss my options etc. I met all the academic entry requirements, and I could show her I was genuinely interested in the new course (had done my own research, spoken to other students etc). We discussed lots of the modules, and I'd got the impression that I'd be allowed to switch courses. However she said that she'd have to contact the admissions staff to finalise everything. Fair enough I thought, but I received a response from the admissions officer today which left me feeling quite annoyed. I guess deep down I know a part of the reason I'm annoyed is because they said no... but AIBU for being disappointed with their flippant response.

They emailed me saying "Thank you for your enquiry. Unfortunately, it is not possible to offer you a place on x course"

No reason given, two bloody sentences?! I feel as if the admissions officer simply couldn't be bothered to help me, as they haven't offered to meet me or explain alternative options. I meet the entry requirements and this is not a prestigious university, courses are regularly in clearing. I haven't replied because I don't want to seem too pushy/rude

I'm thinking of meeting my personal tutor to vent my frustration, as the admissions officer hasn't even let me put my case forward just a simple no. Or should I just give up?
Considering fees are 9k+, AIBU to expect better communication

I'd be disappointed too, I think it's fair enough to want to make the most of your experience at university. I would certainly contact them directly and try to find out the reasons why, and then discuss any alternative options. I don't think you should give up and just accept that you have to stay on a course that isn't right for you.

Can you speak to the course director for the new half of the degree? Get them on side?

I switched my major and minor around at the end of my first year with absolutely not issues and I got the impression it was fairly common!

The only reason for a refusal that I can think of is that they can't timetable the two halves together? Maybe there is a core module for each running at the same time? Although that seems unlikely!

Yes do ask your personal tutor. You might also contact the head of dept or academic admissions tutor for the dept you are wanting to move to. Send a very nice email saying how disappointed you were.....

Because I am guessing from your OP you have been dealing with a central admissions team? They normally relay rather than make decisions so you may find something has been lost in translation.

Or, there may be a really good reason, like you don't have appropriate A levels or similar. Do you have a relevanf A level?

I work in HE in a mostly academic role and students at my RG institution often switch courses. You should absolutely push for getting what you want. Get your adviser on board and motivate them to help you. You have every right to change your course to suit you better.

If your institution continues to be unhelpful, think about switching to a different one. It's much more common than people think and often done when students' reasonable and well justified requests are not accommodated. Best of luck - please don't give up.

Sorry have just seen you meet the criteria.... odd!

I would absolutely push to move

Talk to the students' union as well as your tutor - this is what they're there for. There may be a sensible reason but it might also be administrative and the VP for education might be able to help you find a way round.

Did you speak to the course director for the new course? Were you wanting to go into 2nd year? Do you meet the ucas for the new course?

Are there compulsory modules in first year for the new course that the 2nd her modules build upon?

If you do the new course you'll be short credits for the new degree - if the irrelevant modukesmfrom this year don't count. If the modules are per semester it won't be possible for you to switch. Or if they are a long thin then you'll be out of sync too.

*year

I work for a university. This is a fairly common request from students. It's possible to change to doing a different course ie single honours to combined honours) but only if you re-do the first year, or you'd be a year behind everyone else in the new subject. I'm sure it changes at different institutions but IME it's not the norm. Take it up with people obviously but don't expect much more feedback than "it can't happen"

I don't think they are being unreasonable - you have to remember that the person who wrote that email won't know any backstory, and may not realise that your course director had got your hopes up.

If they can't offer you a place, it might well be that they're simply full up already. If that's the case, the fact you met the criteria wouldn't matter - they can't make room for one more. And this does happen more often than you'd think, even in Arts/Humanities subjects where you might imagine they could always squeeze in one more student, and even for universities that often go into clearing. These days, some universities go into clearing partly in the hope of attracting better candidates than those they've already had. So, it could be that the course you're looking at advertises its average offer as (say) BBB, because that's what most people who put the course down as a firm offer are required to have. But perhaps last year was a good year in clearing for them, and they grabbed quite a lot of new people with ABB or AAB. If that's the case, they might be a bit overfull already.

I think it's totally fair to ask for more details from the course director on the new course and to find out what could improve your chances of switching. But I don't think you should automatically assume that a brief reply is out of line.

Reply to the admissions officer saying you would like a more detailed response as you were under the impression that it was ok to switch when you spoke to Your tutor. There may be some formalities involved, like having to apply with a transcript of your 1yr results, or there maybe internal rules about transferring credits ,it may not be permitted for example. Don't give up!

Also. When I worked in admissions, as hard as it sounds, we used to say no that won't be possible. Because if we say that isn't possible because this or that reason then you end up in a ping pong of what if I this or that. And so and so had such na reason and you let them and on and on.

If you wanted to do this at my University you'd need your new Prospective Course Director to confirm that the modules you'd taken in your first year mapped to the learning objectives of the first year of the course you were transferring to, and that you would not be disadvantaged if you had not completed any prerequisite modules. That being said, we'd never just say "nope" we'd explain why not. It's a lot more common to move from joint to single honours. If you can provide evidence of mental health issues in your first year SFE might give you another go at a different first year? Definitely go to the Student Union for advice.

Thanks all for the helpful replies!
I was already aware that I'd have to restart from first year so I could do the core modules of the new half of the course - that wasn't a problem with me.
LRDthefeministdragon I really didn't think of that! Very good point

kissesginger funnily enough I did have some issues with anxiety during first year, and consequently received counselling treatment on the NHS. I didn't bring it up with my uni when asking to change courses because I didn't know whether it'd be appropriate to mention without feeling like I was using it as an excuse or making it seem like I wanted pity

Totally understand your disappointment.

Have you done all the core modules at level one/first year? You must have completed the core modules at level one in both departments to continue with a joint degree.

I'm not too clear what you mean by entry requirements in your op which is why I'm asking so apologies if this is what you meant because in my department to do a joint degree you must have completed the core modules (60 credits in each) in both departments in year one if not the answer was always no and students advised to start again.

are you in England? Trying to work out if MaSN applies or not.

X-post! Sorry.

Getting extra funding from student finance can be very difficult as access to that is discretionary so varies quite a bit.

Becca sorry I was referring to a-levels as entry requirements. I was already told I would have to restart first year to do the core models of the new course, which I had happily agreed to do so.

sunny yes I'm from England