Course change, deferral and change of major
A guide for Agents on how to manage course changes, deferrals and changes of majors
To assist in clarifying the differences between the terms 'course change', 'deferral' and 'change of major', the UWA Admissions Team compiled the following list of definitions. Each of these has a different process, so to assist you in understanding the University's governance requirements regarding applications and the policies that support these requirements, we have detailed the processes required to support the universities policies on this page.
Definitions
Course change
A course change is a change to the course the student has applied for. For example, a student has applied to study the Bachelor of Commerce (course) with a major in Accounting (major) starting in Semester 1, 2018 (entry point) and now wishes to apply for the Bachelor of Science (course) with a major in Chemistry (major) starting in Semester 1, 2018 (entry point).
This is a course change.
Deferral
A deferral is a change to the entry point of an application. For example, a student has applied to study the Bachelor of Commerce (course) with a major in Accounting (major) starting in Semester 1, 2018 (entry point) and now wishes to apply for the Bachelor of Commerce (course) with a major in Accounting (major) starting in Semester 1, 2019 (entry point).
This is a deferral, as the student is wishing to change their entry point from Semester 1, 2018 to another entry point – Semester 1, 2019.
Change of major (or specialisation)
A change of major or specialisation is when the student wishes to change only the major or specialisation they have applied for. For example, a student has applied for the Bachelor of Commerce (course) with a major in Accounting (major) starting in Semester 1, 2018 (entry point) and now wishes to change their application to be for the Bachelor of Commerce (course) with a major in Finance (major) starting in Semester 1, 2018.
This is a change in major.
Course
A course is defined as a plan of study which a student must successfully undertake before qualifying for a degree, diploma or certificate. At UWA, each course has a discrete code associated with it. A course may contain several different majors.
Process for making a change to an application
There is a hierarchy associated with the elements of an application.
- Course
- Entry point
- Major or specialisation
If there is a course change it takes precedence over all other changes and the course change process is followed.
If an entry point is changed it takes precedence over a change of major and the entry point change process is followed.
If a major or specialisation is changed and nothing else is changed, the change of major or specialisation process is followed.
Process for a course change
When a course change is required, a student needs to submit a new application for the correct course. International students are required to pay a new application fee of $100.
Process for deferral (entry point change)
When a student requires a change to an entry point this is called a deferral. Students are allowed a single deferral per application, although some courses do not allow deferrals. If a student has received an offer, but has not commenced the acceptance process within UWA Accept the deferral can be lodged via UWA Accept. Following their first deferral, subsequent deferrals will be processed according to the students residency status.
International students – subsequent deferrals may be permitted based on the UWA deferral policy, and if approved, each subsequent deferral will attract a $50 processing fee in lieu of a new application fee.
Process for change of major or specialisation
When a change of major or specialisation is required, a student needs to submit a new application for the correct major or specialisation. International students are required to pay a new application fee of $100.
Frequently asked questions
You may find that students query some of the processes in place. The questions and answers below should assist you in responding to these queries.
Why do students need to pay a new application fee for a course/major/specialisation change?
There is no ability to edit a submitted application either via paper or online. Once an application form has been completed and lodged it is final. If a student then requests a course/major/specialisation change this needs to be reapplied for as the application will need to be reassessed. All new applications require a fee. If the application is lodged by an Agent this application fee may not apply.
Why do we need to pay for subsequent deferrals past the first deferral?
UWA policy is that students are only allowed to defer once. Any subsequent deferrals are processed as a new application owing to the requirement for further processing and approval any changes to as course and unit sequencing may affect visa lengths.