What if I choose the wrong uni degree or course?
By Open Universities AustraliaPublished on
Choosing what to study is a big decision, but it doesn't have to be permanent. Find out how to test your options before committing, spot the signs that a course isn't right for you, and change your mind if you need to.
Worrying that you've chosen the wrong degree doesn't mean you've made a mistake you can't fix. There are several ways forward, from adjusting your study load to switching to something new. And you might be surprised by how much of your progress you can keep.
Is it normal to want to drop out, or to feel like you've chosen the wrong uni degree?
Yes, it’s normal to feel like you've chosen the wrong degree, and it's just as normal to feel that way before you've even started.
Some people know within the first fortnight that a course isn't what they expected. Others sail through their first year and then hit a subject that changes how they feel about the whole thing. And some never enrol at all, because the doubt shows up while they're still comparing course options.
None of this makes you indecisive. It makes you someone paying attention to what's working for you, rather than pushing ahead on autopilot. The trap is treating "I've chosen the wrong degree" as a permanent label, when there's almost always room to adjust. You can reduce your subject load, bring in tutoring support, switch into a different subject or degree, or withdraw and start again. And if you haven't enrolled yet, nothing is locked in.
How can I test a course before committing to a degree?
If you're in the "worried before I've even started" camp, you're in a better position than it feels like. You don't need to commit to a full degree to find out whether a subject area suits you.
Through Open Universities Australia, you can study one or two single subjects first, without applying for a whole course. If you decide you want to continue, you may be able to use the successful completion of these subjects to get into the full course.
It's a lower-commitment way to find out whether a study area is right for you before committing to a full degree.
If you're still deciding between study areas, our Help Me Choose quiz can help you narrow things down. And if your doubt is really about if you should study at all right now, our guide to whether university is worth it can help you weigh that up.
What are my options if I've already started the wrong course?
If you're already studying and something feels off, here are your main options. They're not ranked in order, because they're different tools for different problems.
Talk to an Open Universities Australia student advisor
This is usually the fastest way to get clarity, because an advisor can look at your subjects, your university's rules and what's realistic for you. You can book a consultation at no cost to you whenever you're ready.
Reduce your subject load
If the problem is more about how much you've taken on than the subject itself, adjusting your study load and dropping down to fewer subjects each study period can take the pressure off without derailing your degree.
Get tutoring support
If you still like the subject but the content is the sticking point, a tutor can make a bigger difference than you'd expect. Email your course’s teaching staff or visit your university’s website to find out if there’s a free tutoring program available to online students through your uni.
Many tutors are former or current students who've been where you are, and choosing the right kind of tutoring support is easier once you know what's available to you.
Should I switch courses or withdraw from uni?
This is usually where the anxiety peaks, because both options can feel like giving up. Neither one is. Switching tends to suit people who still want to study, just not this particular thing. Withdrawing tends to suit people who need a break before deciding anything else.
Switching courses
Switching means moving into a different subject or degree while keeping some or all of your progress.
Whether that's realistic depends on how much overlap there is between what you've studied and what you're moving into, and on your university's own credit transfer policy.
If you're staying with the same university, this is often more straightforward than people expect. If you're moving universities altogether, check how recognition of prior learning and credit works before you make the switch. If you catch it early, you can often swap one subject for another at no extra cost before close of enrolment.
Changing to a new qualification will generally require submitting a new application and waiting for the next available intake date, but provided you meet the entry requirements, it can be done.
Withdrawing
Withdrawing means stepping away from a subject or degree, at least for now. It doesn't have to be permanent. Many universities offer several start dates a year through Open Universities Australia, so you can come back when the timing's right.
You can use the time to take a break, focus on other things that are important in your life and reflect on what brought you to study in the first place. With some time and distance, you may feel ready to come back and try a different course that better matches your goals and interests.
We’ll be here to help when you’re ready.
What happens if I withdraw from a subject?
When you withdraw matters. If you withdraw before your subject’s census date, you won’t owe the fee and nothing will be recorded against you academically. If you withdraw after the census date but before your university’s final withdrawal deadline, you’ll usually still owe the fee, but you may avoid a fail grade.
Dates and rules can vary between universities, so check your key dates before you make a decision. Our guide to key dates and census dates explains how they work in more detail.
How to withdraw from a subject
When you enrol through Open Universities Australia, you study with your university, but manage your enrolment with us.
To withdraw from a subject, request an enrolment change in your Student Hub. Stopping your study won't withdraw you automatically, so make sure you lodge the change.
Here's exactly what to do:
Check your subject's census date
And the last date to withdraw without academic penalty on our key dates page.
Log in to your Student Hub
Request an enrolment change for the subject you want to withdraw from.
Get in touch with us
If you're confused about your dates, or what withdrawing means for the rest of your course, contact a student advisor before you lodge your request.
Dates differ between universities and study periods, so don't assume yours match someone else's.
What actually happens if you choose the wrong degree?
What happens will depend on how far you’ve already progressed with your studies, but it’s not as scary as it might seem.
If you haven't enrolled yet, changing your mind costs you nothing more than the time you've spent researching.
If you've started, the timing of your withdrawal decides what you pay and how it shows on your record. Most of these situations can be sorted out, and none of them close the door on you starting again.
If your circumstances genuinely got in the way of finishing, whether that's health, work or something else beyond your control, it's worth knowing about Special Circumstances, which exists precisely for situations like this. If your university approves your application, you may be able to have the subject fee refunded or your HELP debt removed, and withdraw without academic penalty.
You’ll usually need to show that the circumstances were outside your control, affected you on or after the census date, and made it unreasonable for you to complete the subject.
If you’re partway through and struggling, but you’re not sure the degree itself is the problem, it can also help to read what happens if you fail a subject. One difficult subject doesn’t necessarily mean the whole degree is wrong for you.
Signs your course might not be the right fit
Before you make a call, ask yourself a few honest questions, whether you're deep into a degree or still deciding whether to start one. If you're already studying:
- Are you avoiding the coursework itself, or avoiding the workload in general?
- Does the topic still interest you when you're not stressed about an assessment?
- Have you tried the support available, like a tutor or a lighter load, or did you jump straight to "this isn't for me"?
- Has the doubt been building for weeks, or did it show up right before a hard deadline?
If you haven't started yet:
- Is the doubt about this specific course, or about starting study at all?
- Would a single subject in the area answer your question better than committing to a full degree upfront?
- Have you looked into other courses that might suit you better?
Get help before you switch or withdraw
You don't need to have it all worked out before you reach out. Contact a student advisor to talk through your subjects, your university's rules, or the course you're still deciding on.
They can help you land on a next step that fits your actual situation. This support is available at no cost to you, whether you're leaning towards switching, withdrawing, holding off, or you're just not sure yet.
If your doubt is tangled up with something bigger, like stress, burnout or your wellbeing more broadly, let your student advisor know. They can point you towards the right support rather than leaving you to sort it out through a course change alone.
FAQs about choosing the wrong course
How do I drop out of uni, and do I contact Open Universities Australia or my university?
If you're thinking about leaving your degree, get in touch with one of our student advisors first. They can explain your options and help you understand the steps involved, including whether you'll need to contact your university.
How does credit transfer work if I switch universities?
This depends on the university, but in most cases you'll need an offer of entry to the new course before you can apply for credit. The university needs to know which course you're applying the credit towards. That means switching usually happens in two steps: enrol or gain entry first, then apply for credit for what you've already completed.
Check the new university's credit policy before you withdraw, so you know what credit you may be able to keep.
Should I drop out of uni or switch courses?
It depends on what's making you reconsider. If you're still keen to study but your current course isn't right for you, switching could be worth exploring. If you're feeling overwhelmed or need time to work out what you want, taking a break might be a better option.
You don't have to make the decision alone. A student advisor can talk you through your options and help you understand what each would mean for your studies.
