Transfer: How do I change university?

Studying at university in Spain, as anywhere else in the world, is an experience that can be complicated when you have reasons to transfer your transcript to another university and you do not want to leave this goal unfinished or lose the progress you have made.

The most common reasons for requesting a transcript transfer are changes of residence area and distance or changes of degree programme. In any of these cases, the procedure you need to be clear about is the file transfer.

If you are in this situation, continue reading and find the guidance you need to resolve everything concerning the situation in which you require a file transfer.

What requirements do I have to meet?

Here are the requirements you need to meet in order to qualify for this process:

The first thing you must do is confirm that you have reached the minimum number of credits required by the university you want to transfer to. Thirty credits for a single degree and sixty credits if it is a double degree.
You also need to check your grade point average. The grade you have obtained is very important, because the availability of places for transfer is limited and the element that gives the final acceptance value is related to your academic performance.

If you meet these conditions, you now have to start collecting the documents you need to formalise your application for transfer to another university.

Documents you need to present for the change of university

In order to formalise your application, you must present a set of documents, according to the requirements of the host university; here are the most important ones:

• Copy of your identity and nationality documents
• Academic certification that accredits the studies you have completed and passed, which must contain:
• The details of the university where you studied.
• Name of the university degree you were studying, of an official nature and which includes the syllabus you managed to pass.
• Name of the subjects you passed, with their respective grades.
• Modality of studies through which you gained access to this university and its degree programme: entrance exams for baccalaureate, over 25s, over 45s or with previous university qualifications.
• Grade point average with which you applied to this university.
• Grade point average achieved during your studies at that university, indicating the formula for calculating the average.
• Application form issued by the university you want to enter.

Procedure for requesting a transfer

Changing university and continuing your studies for the same degree can be easier than it seems. You can participate in the admission process as a new student or request the transfer of your transcript, following the instructions below:

• Check the calendar of each of these universities, then follow the instructions to carry it out.
• At the university you want to enter, you must attend on the day indicated for the process according to the calendar and bring the documents that have been requested.
• At your current university, the main thing is to have the approval of the host university to make the application by mail, making sure you have your ID card and other requested data; remember to put «transfer of file» in the subject line and attach the application for admission or proof of enrolment at the university for which you are opting.

Next steps after the application

After applying for admission by transfer, you must wait for the confirmation of your acceptance at the host university before proceeding to the next steps:

• Apply for the transfer of your transcript.
• Make the payment according to the document attached to the confirmation email,
• Organise the documents requested.
• Apply for the validation of approved subjects.
• Proceed to formalise your enrolment when you are instructed to do so.