You must ensure you are aware of the possible implications for your Student/Tier 4 visa before making a decision about changing your programme. 

Possible implications are:
• You may need to apply for a new Student visa from overseas before you can change programme 
• There is a maximum number of years you can spend in the UK studying at undergraduate level, which may mean we cannot offer you further sponsorship for a longer/new programme.

Scenario 1: I want to change to a programme at the same level, but longer
For example, you may wish to: 

• add a study abroad/work placement year
• change from a 3-year to a 4-year degree

You will need to apply for a new Student visa if you cannot complete the longer programme before your current visa expires. 

If you are adding a study abroad or work placement year, you can apply for your new Student visa either any time either before or after your placement or study abroad year. You can make this Student visa application from within the UK or from overseas. You should bear in mind you will not be able to start your work placement/study abroad year with your visa application still pending so you should ensure you allow sufficient time to obtain a new visa. 

If the change of programme is approved, the University of Reading will report the change to UKVI and advise them of your new programme and new expected end date. 
If the reason is anything other than adding a study abroad or work placement year (for example, if you decide to re-enter on a different programme) you will need to make a new Student visa application before you can start your new programme, and you can only make this application from overseas.   

Scenario 2: I want to change to a programme at the same level, but shorter
For example, you may wish to: 

• change from a 4 year to a 3-year degree
• remove a work placement year 

It is usually possible to change to a shorter programme at the same level without needing to apply for a new visa. If the change of programme is approved, the University of Reading will report the change to UKVI and advise them of your new programme and new expected end date. 
Once you have completed the shorter programme, the University of Reading will report to UKVI that you have completed earlier than the expected end date on your CAS and they will curtail (shorten) your visa in line with your new completion date and associated ‘post-study’ period. Once this report has been made, you will receive an email from the International Student Advisory Team with information about what you should do next. 

Scenario 3: I want to change to a programme at the same level and same length
For example, you may wish to: 

• change from a 3-year UG degree to a 3-year UG degree
• change from a 1-year Masters to a different 1-year Masters
If the programme is at the same level and can be completed within the validity of your current visa AND you meet the Academic Progression requirements which are:
• the new programme is related to the previous programme you were granted leave as a Student, meaning that it is either connected to the previous programme, part of the same subject group, or involves deeper specialisation, or
• the previous programme and the new programme in combination support your genuine career aspirations

the change of programme will usually be permitted, and you can use the same visa to study your new programme. You may need to provide a written statement confirming how the previous programme and the new programme in combination support your genuine career aspirations to demonstrate how you meet the Academic Progression requirements. If the change of programme is approved, the University of Reading will report the change to UKVI and advise them of your new programme and new expected end date (or that the end date remains the same.) 

If you do not meet the Academic Progression requirements above, you will need to apply for a new Student visa from outside the UK and sponsorship of your current Student/Tier 4 visa will be withdrawn. The University of Reading must report this to UKVI who will curtail (cancel) your visa, and you will be required to leave the UK within 60 days.

Scenario 4: I want to change to a programme at a higher level and longer length 
For example, you may wish to:

• change from a 3-year Bachelor's degree to an integrated 4-year Master's degree
You will need a new Student visa before you can start the new programme, but you can make this application from within the UK or from overseas. 

Scenario 5: I want to change to a lower-level programme
For example, you may wish to:

• change from PhD to MPhil

If you want to change to a lower-level programme or this outcome has been decided by the University of Reading, you will not be able to study the lower-level programme on your current Student/Tier 4 visa, and sponsorship of your current Student/Tier 4 visa will be withdrawn. The University of Reading must report this to UKVI who will curtail (cancel) your visa, and you will be required to leave the UK within 60 days.

If the University of Reading decides we can sponsor you for a new Student visa, you will need to make the visa application from overseas before you can continue onto the new programme. 

If you suspend your studies for longer than 60 days, the University of Reading must report the suspension to UKVI who will curtail (cancel) your visa, and you will be required to leave the UK within 60 days.

Once this report has been made, you will receive an email from the International Student Advisory Team with information about what you should do next. It is important to note that once this report has been submitted to UKVI, you are no longer permitted to work in the UK. 

If you have been issued with a CAS number by the University of Reading and decide to defer the start of your programme to a later term or the following academic year, the University of Reading must report your deferral to UKVI.

If you have not yet applied for your visa, the CAS will be withdrawn meaning it is no longer valid for use in a visa application. You will need to request a new CAS to apply for a Student visa in good time before you start your programme.

If you have already been issued with a visa using the CAS and decide to defer, the University of Reading will report your deferral to UKVI and your visa will no longer be valid to enter or remain in the UK. You will need to request a new CAS to apply for a Student visa in good time before you start your programme. 

If you are changing your study location because you are starting a work placement or a study abroad year, the University of Reading must provide the details of your new location and work placement/study abroad provider to UKVI. This information will be provided by your school to the International Student Advisory Team.

If you withdraw or are withdrawn by the University from your studies, the University of Reading must report this to UKVI who will curtail (cancel) your visa, and you will be required to leave the UK within 60 days.

Once this report has been made, you will receive an email from the International Student Advisory Team with information about what you should do next. It is important to note that once this report has been submitted to UKVI, you are no longer permitted to work in the UK.

If you are required to re-sit an exam(s) before you can proceed to the next stage of your studies, the University of Reading must report that you are suspended pending re-examination to UKVI who will curtail (cancel) your visa, and you will be required to leave the UK within 60 days.

Once this report has been made, you will receive an email from the International Student Advisory Team with information about what you should do next. It is important to note that once this report has been submitted to UKVI, you are no longer permitted to work in the UK.

You must not attempt to re-enter the UK to re-sit your exam(s) using your curtailed Student/Tier 4 visa as you will be refused entry by UK Border Force officials, which may adversely affect your immigration record. You should contact the International Student Advisory Team at immigration@reading.ac.uk for advice on what type of visa you will need to return for your exams. 

If you need to re-submit or are given additional time to complete an assignment or dissertation after the expiry date of your Tier/Student visa, your School will need to decide if you need to stay in the UK to do this. Unless there are specific reason(s) why you cannot complete and submit the work from overseas, it is unlikely that the University of Reading will be able to provide you with further Student visa sponsorship and you will need to leave the UK to complete your assignment/dissertation.

If you complete your programme earlier than the expected end date on your CAS, the University of Reading must report this to UKVI who will curtail (shorten) your visa in line with your new expected end date and associated ‘post-study’ period.

Once this report has been made, you will receive an email from the International Student Advisory Team with information about what you should do next. 

Please note that if you leave the UK during this ‘post-study’ period, your visa will become invalid and you will not be able to use it to return to the UK. Therefore, depending on when the University of Reading submits the report that you have completed early, you may need to apply for a different visa to return for your graduation. You should contact immigration@reading.ac.uk for advice.

If you need any further information or advice, please contact the International Student Advisory Team.