Transfer Policy

Transferring is the process whereby a current student at SEC or at another institution, moves from one OfS regulated HE programme to another. This includes students transferring to SEC from another institution and transferring between SEC programmes. This policy applies to students external to SEC; current SEC students; and SEC staff involved in the transfer process and is relevant to Taught programmes only.

Process for students transferring to SEC from another institution

Academic entry criteria

The eligibility of a student from another institution to transfer to a SEC programme is determined by the relevant programmes’ entry criteria.

A student from another institution wishing to transfer to a SEC undergraduate programme should contact the SEC HE Admissions Team at headmissions@southessex.ac.uk who will, following a preliminary check, advise if they should apply, which is via UCAS or through the College Website. Once the application is received it will be considered by the HE Admissions Team, often in consultation with the CMA Compliance & Information Manager (HE) and/or the relevant Programme Leader. Alongside the application the HE Admissions Team will request a current academic transcript and consider all previous academic qualifications. Following approval of a request, the decision is communicated via UCAS or via email for programmes applied through the College Website.

Students wishing to transfer to a Graduate taught programme should contact the HE Admissions Team at headmissions@southessex.ac.uk who will assess the information and, if appropriate, advise the student to apply through the SEC direct application process (on the SEC website). Once the application is received, it will be referred to the relevant subject department for consideration. Following approval, to transfer to a SEC programme the HE Admissions Team will provide confirmation by email.

At Sub-degree, Undergraduate and Graduate level a student will be required to meet conditions of entry, for example successful completion of their current studies, the Programme of study may require specific course profile arrangements (including named modules/units) and will be required to provide evidence of the original certificate or transcript at registration.

If an application to transfer is rejected, the HE Admissions Team along with consultation with the relevant Programme Leader will consider whether the student is eligible for an alternative entry point. All decisions are communicated by the HE Admissions Team and should the application wish to appeal the decision are advised to consult the College’s HE admissions policy available here.

The exception to this process is where there is a formal route agreed by the College.

In some cases students will be seeking Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) or Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL), in these cases in addition to the above, guidance is provided through the relevant policies dealing with APCL/APEL.¹

All Courses that reside within the Faculty of HE

• This form is for students who wish to transfer to another programme of study starting at year 1 or year 2
• The transfer needs to be approved by the HE Admissions Team, the Programme Leader and the Programme Partnership Manager

Deadline for transfer request is agreed with the awarding partner prior to the start of the academic year.

Any transfer request will be subject to a place being available and entry requirements being met. The Student needs to be in good academic standing. Transfer requests should be submitted by the end of week 2 of Semester 1. Transfers submitted in week 3 will require both agreement from the Dean of HE and relevant Programme Partnership Manager. Late transfer requests may be refused.

Transfers into Year 2 are only approved if the student has already studied a substantial amount of the Year 1 course content of the programme. In order to transfer to the second year of a programme students would need to demonstrate that they have met the learning outcomes. Students can refer to the policies available on the College website. Any offer may require passing all credits in the current course with a specified average year aggregate.

If the application to transfer is rejected at any point a clear account of the reason will be given by the relevant Programme Leader or the HE Admissions Team.

Direct Entry into Year 3 will not be considered by the College.

All courses that reside outside the Faculty of HE only

• This Form needs to be completed by a graduate student who wishes to initiate a transfer to another programme of study.
• Deadline for transfer request is agreed with the awarding partner prior to the start of the academic year.
• The transfer needs to be approved by the Programme Leader and the respective Head of Department.
• Any transfer request will be subject to a place being available and entry requirements being met. Students need to be in good academic standing. Transfer requests should be submitted by the end of week 2 of Semester 1. Transfers submitted in week 3 will require both agreement from the Vice Principal Curriculum & Quality & the Head of Department. Late transfer requests may be refused.
• If the application to transfer is rejected at any point a clear account of the reason will be given by the relevant Programme Leader.

Role of the Adviser

For all transfer requests the student must meet with their Programme Leader, or in their absence the relevant Programme Partnership Manager or respective HOD for courses that reside outside the Faculty of HE. This is an opportunity for the student to discuss with their advisor the reason(s) for the transfer request. The Adviser is a source of advice and guidance for the student requesting the transfer. The Adviser’s role is also to check that the student understands that transfers are subject to availability, provide advice on whether the transfer is possible (i.e. is the student in good academic standing, is the request beyond the 4 weeks), and a check on whether they need to speak to the International team (if the student is on a Tier 4 visa).

Tier 4 Students and Course Transfers

Any student entering SEC or wishing to transfer to another course, holding a Tier 4 visa are subject to the current UK immigration rules.

Any Tier 4 students who are transferring to another institution will have their SEC sponsorship withdrawn and students are advised to contact the new institution for details on how to apply for a new tier 4 visa, and to ensure the institution will sponsor them.

If a current SEC student is studying with a Tier 4 visa and wishes to transfer to another course at SEC, the student must make an appointment to speak to the International Team before proceeding with any transfer request.

Students can contact the International Team at Richard.Li@southessex.ac.uk

1. For UAL this is entitled the HE Admissions Policy for UAL Students. For UEA this is entitled PI APL Policy. For OU this is entitled in the APEL Policy (refer to the policy within the relevant drop down section).

Success stories

Success Stories - Andy Wyatt

Course studied

Computer Aided Design & Manufacturing (2D CAD) Level 2 Award

View full story

My name is Andy Wyatt , I am 52 years old and I studied Foundation Diploma in Art and Design at South Essex College in 1984/5.

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What did you study at South Essex College?

Foundation Diploma in Art and Design where I specialised in Photographic Arts and Moving Image.

What qualification did you receive?

I completed my foundation course at SEC and then went to study a BA in Filmmaking at Harrow School of Art which is now part of the University of Westminster.

What was your background before coming to the College to study?

I grew up in Chelmsford and studied A levels.

What have you done since completing your course?

After my degree I worked as an animator working on cartoons such as The Teenage Ninja Turtles and Duck Tales the Movie. I then joined a studio called Halas and Batchelor in London, followed by a studio called Honeycomb Animation where I became an Animation Director, animating and directing TV series including Grizzly Tales for Gruesome Kids. I then moved to Bristol, setting up my own studio, creating animation for the internet before working as a series director at Aardman Animations.

I have also worked as an educator, helping to set up degree programmes in Universities, and now work as an ambassador in the UK and Ireland for Toon Boom Animation, a Canadian Animation technology company. I work with studios setting up their productions, which can be TV series, Feature films or games.

Why did you choose to study at South Essex College?

I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!

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I was impressed by the staff, and the student work I saw at an exhibition. It’s also great to study in a seaside town!

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What is the best thing about doing further or higher education?

It really develops your creativity, and is life-changing in that you get to specialise in a subject that you really love, and get to meet friends for life. It helps you progress to a great career.

What skills did you gain / are you gaining that have proved valuable?

As well as creativity, you also become more professional, meeting deadlines which can be really stressful, but college gives you experience working as part of a team which should never be under estimated.

What is your favourite memory of being at the College?

Some great people, and I remember the pride from being part of the end of year show. The environment was inspiring too.

Why would you recommend South Essex College?

For the same reasons I went…really knowledgeable staff who develop you as a person. The facilities are also incredible.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?

I’ve been part of productions that have had two BAFTA nominations… unfortunately we did not win either time, but it is a great achievement to be nominated!

What are your ambitions for the future?

To continue working in Animation which is one of the most dynamic and constantly evolving industries….when I think how much it has changed just throughout my career, who knows what will happen in the future!

Did your time at the College help with other areas of life (such as gaining confidence or maybe a skill that has helped you to pursue a hobby)?

Definitely. It built my confidence and developed my ability to work as part of a team and probably made me a bit more competitive (in a good way!)

Where are you working now?

Director of Business Development for Toon Boom Animation

What does your job entail?

Working with studios in the UK and Ireland to develop new ideas for projects. I help them achieve the look and style of animation they want.

How did you progress to your current position?

It took all sorts of experience from all the various jobs I have had to give me the knowledge and experience I needed to do the job I do now.

How did your time at South Essex College help prepare you for the workplace?

It opened my eyes to the fact that there was a whole sector of work out there (the Creative Industries) for people like me who enjoyed art and design.

How does the equipment you used at College compare to that within industry?

Actually, it is as good, if not better. Many of the studios I worked for had very limited budgets and we had to use old machinery or computers, and the studios were often in freezing cold basements or boiling hot attics!! The college has the latest software and powerful machines and air-conditioned studios…quite a luxury compared to some of the places I have worked!