If you wish to apply for a change in course registration within the same faculty or department (e.g. from MPhil to PhD) you can apply to do so by submitting a change of course application. If you wish to change to a course in a different department, you will need to apply for a change of department.
If you have any questions about applying for a change of course registration, please submit a query here: University of Cambridge Student Registry Office (zendesk.com)
You can apply to change your course registration via your CamSIS self-service. Information on how to do this is available on the ‘Applying for a change in your student status’ page. You will need to specify the term from which you would like the term to take effect and explain the reasons for requesting the change. If the change of course will involve a change of supervisor, you should include the name of the new supervisor.
If you are requesting a 'fresh start', please make this clear in your application. A 'fresh start' is where you completely restart the course which resets the clock for your submission deadline and fees. You will be liable for the full fees for the new course in addition to any fees paid prior to the change of course. Fresh starts are quite rare and if you believe one is appropriate for you, you should discuss this with your supervisor and department before applying for a change of department.
Once submitted, your application will be considered by your supervisor, department, College and Degree Committee before arriving at the Student Registry for the final decision. It will not normally be possible to start the new course until the application has been formally approved by all parties.
Please note that not all course changes are permissible. For example, it is not possible to transfer from the Doctor of Medicine (MD) to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Please check Chapter VII of the Statutes & Ordinances for guidance before applying. If you are not sure whether the change of course you wish to apply for is permissible, please contact Student Registry at recordsandexams@admin.cam.ac.uk before initiating your application.
When applying to change your course registration, you will need to complete a Financial Declaration Form to show that you have sufficient funding for any additional costs that may arise from the change. You must attach the completed form to the online application form. Please note that if you change course, you will still be liable for fees for each term that you were studying on the previous course. For example, if you change from PhD to the full-time MPhil after 5 terms, you will not be liable for any further fees as the fee liability for the full-time MPhil is 3 terms, but you will still be liable for fees for all of the 5 PhD terms completed before the change of course.
Unless you are also applying for a 'fresh start', you will be liable for fees at the rate for the year you were admitted to your original course. If you are applying for a 'fresh start', you will be liable for fees at the rate for the academic year in which the change takes effect which is likely to be higher than for the year you were admitted to your original course.
If you are funded by a funding body or other party, you will also need to provide evidence of their commitment to fund your new course, including any additional costs incurred.
If you are studying on a Tier 4/Student visa, a change in course registration may result in visa implications. You should contact the International Student Office to discuss your plans prior to making an application to change your course registration: international.students@admin.cam.ac.uk.
If you are a non-EEA national studying in the UK on any time-limited visa and your new course requires ATAS clearance, you will need to have obtained a new ATAS clearance certificate prior to the change in course registration being approved and before starting your new course.
Contact the International Student Office who can help you start this process and answer any questions regarding ATAS clearance: international.students@admin.cam.ac.uk