Many students discover after their first semester that the degree they signed up for is not the right fit. Learning How to Change a University Major before you act can save you time, money, and a semester of credits you might otherwise lose. In the UAE, every licensed university allows major changes, but each one sets its own rules on timing, GPA requirements, and credit transfer — so the process is straightforward if you follow it step by step.
This guide walks you through when you can switch, who you need to talk to, how transferred credits work, and the mistakes students most often make. It applies to both public and private universities across the Emirates, whether you are in your first semester or further along.
Quick Answer
To change your university major in the UAE: check your university’s change-of-major policy and deadlines, confirm you meet the minimum GPA and entry requirements of the new major, meet your academic advisor to review which credits transfer, submit the change-of-major form (usually through the student portal or the registrar’s office), and get written confirmation before enrolling in new-major courses. Most universities allow changes at the start or end of a semester, and processing typically takes one to four weeks.
When You Can Change Your Major
Most UAE universities open change-of-major windows at specific points in the academic calendar. The most common window is between semesters — after final results are published and before registration opens for the next term. Some universities also accept requests during the first one or two weeks of a semester, subject to seat availability in the new department.
There are limits. Some competitive programs — medicine, dentistry, law, and certain engineering tracks — only accept internal transfers once a year, or require you to apply through the same admission route as new students. Check the academic calendar and your student handbook for exact dates, because missing the window usually means waiting another full semester.
Changing Early vs. Changing Late
Switching after your first or second semester is usually the cheapest option. Foundation-year and first-year courses — English, mathematics, introductory computing or business — are often common across programs, so most of your credits carry over. If you have not yet chosen your courses for the first year, reviewing the university admission requirements for each department can help you pick modules that keep both options open.
Changing in your third year or later is still possible but usually costs more. By then, most of your completed credits are major-specific and may not count toward the new degree, which means paying for additional semesters. Before committing, ask your advisor for a written credit-transfer assessment so you know exactly how long the new degree will take.
Eligibility Rules Most Universities Apply
- Minimum GPA: Many universities require a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher to transfer into another major; competitive programs may ask for 2.5 to 3.5. Students on academic probation are usually not eligible until their standing is cleared.
- Program-specific entry criteria: The new department may require specific prerequisite grades — for example, a minimum grade in Calculus before entering an engineering major, or a portfolio for design programs.
- Good standing: You typically need to be in good academic and financial standing — no unpaid tuition balances and no active disciplinary actions.
- Residency and credit requirements: Universities often require you to complete a minimum number of credits at the institution and in the new major before graduation, so very late switches can still trigger extra semesters even when credits transfer.
Entry thresholds differ between departments, so compare them the same way you would when choosing a program in the first place — our complete university admission guide explains how admission criteria work across UAE institutions.
Step-by-Step: How to Change a University Major
1. Research the New Major Properly
Do not switch on frustration alone. Read the new program’s study plan, speak to students already in it, and attend a departmental open day or advising session if your university offers one. Compare the curriculum against your strengths — switching from marketing to data science, for example, may demand a level of mathematics you have not tested yourself on yet.
2. Meet Your Academic Advisor
This is the single most important step. Your advisor can run a degree-audit showing which completed courses map to the new program and which will be lost. They will also flag prerequisite sequences — for instance, that you must finish Physics I before Physics II — so you can plan your new timetable realistically. Some universities make this advising meeting mandatory before the registrar accepts your form.
3. Check the Academic Calendar for Deadlines
Change-of-major requests are tied to the academic calendar. Note the submission deadline, the date results are announced, and when registration for the new term opens. If you are also considering a different institution rather than a different department, the process is different — see our guide to transferring from one university to another.
4. Complete and Submit the Change-of-Major Form
Most universities handle this through the student portal; some still use a paper form at the registrar’s office. You will typically need your student ID, your current major, the target major and department, and sometimes a short personal statement explaining the reason for the change. A few institutions require the signature or approval of the dean of the receiving college.
5. Pay Any Applicable Fees
Administrative fees for processing a major change are common — typically a few hundred dirhams — and are usually non-refundable even if the request is denied. Confirm the amount with the finance office before submitting, and keep the receipt with your records.
6. Get Written Confirmation Before Re-Enrolling
Wait for the official approval notification before registering for courses under the new major. Registering for new-major courses before approval can leave you enrolled in modules that do not count toward your old degree either, which is the worst of both worlds. Once approved, ask for your updated study plan in writing.
What Happens to Your Credits and Grades
Completed courses that match the new program’s requirements transfer at full credit value and your grades travel with them, counting toward your cumulative GPA. Courses that do not match usually fall into one of three categories, depending on the university:
- Free electives: Some mismatched courses count toward elective requirements, so nothing is wasted.
- Excluded but retained: The course stays on your transcript but does not count toward degree requirements — it still affects your GPA at most institutions.
- Not counted: A few universities exclude non-applicable courses from the new degree entirely, though they remain visible on your university transcript.
Failed courses are the tricky part: a failed course from your old major may still appear on your record and affect your GPA even after the switch, depending on institutional policy. Ask the registrar how repeats and grade replacement work in the new program.
Changing Major vs. Changing Course: Know the Difference
Students often confuse the two. Changing your major means switching your degree program — for example, from Business Administration to Computer Science — and usually requires formal approval, credit mapping, and a new study plan. Changing an individual course means dropping one module and enrolling in another within the same program, which is a much lighter process handled through add/drop during registration. If you only dislike one or two subjects, you may need the latter — our guide to changing a university course covers that separately.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Switching without an advising meeting: Guessing which credits transfer almost always overestimates. Get the official degree audit.
- Missing the deadline: Late requests are rarely accepted, and appeals can take weeks.
- Ignoring the financial impact: Extra semesters mean extra tuition and possibly extended visa sponsorship for international students — check the university fee payment guide to understand how additional terms are billed.
- Switching repeatedly: Two or more major changes can push graduation back by years and may raise questions with scholarship sponsors.
- Not informing your sponsor: If you study on a scholarship, employer sponsorship, or a student visa tied to a specific program, changing majors may require sponsor approval or updated documentation. International students should confirm with the university’s visa office whether the change affects their residency paperwork.
Special Cases: Competitive Programs and Transfers In
In the UAE, universities operate under the national accreditation framework for higher education, and programme standards are set at federal level — the official UAE education portal (u.ae) lists the government services and regulations that apply. High-demand programs such as medicine, pharmacy, and some engineering specializations may require you to meet the same admission standards as external applicants — including entrance exams or interviews — even as an internal student. In some cases, these departments do not accept internal major changes at all and direct you to apply as a new admission. Before investing hope in a competitive switch, confirm with the department’s admissions officer that internal transfers are accepted and what the selection criteria are.
If the major you want is not offered at your current university, your options are a full institutional transfer or completing your current degree and pursuing the field at postgraduate level. Both paths involve different paperwork — see the university transfer requirements explained for what a move between institutions involves.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
How many times can I change my major?
Most UAE universities do not set a hard legal limit, but institutional policies often cap major changes at one or two during your enrollment, and each change extends your study duration. Repeated changes can also affect scholarship eligibility and visa sponsorship timelines, so treat each switch as a serious decision.
Will changing my major affect my GPA?
Your cumulative GPA carries over. Transferred courses keep their grades, and failed or low-grade courses from your old major may still count in your GPA depending on the university’s grade policy. Ask the registrar whether the new program uses grade replacement for repeated courses.
Can I change my major in the middle of a semester?
Usually not. Universities process major changes between semesters so that your registration, timetable, and billing align with the new program. Mid-semester requests, where accepted, typically take effect from the following term.
Does changing my major affect my student visa?
It can. International students on university-sponsored visas should check with the visa or student services office, because the visa paperwork is often tied to a specific program and study duration. An extended study period may require renewing or updating your visa documentation.
How long does a major change take to process?
Typically one to four weeks from submission, depending on the university and whether departmental or dean-level approvals are needed. Submit well before registration opens so your new study plan is ready when course enrollment begins.
Will I lose my scholarship if I change majors?
Possibly. Many scholarships are tied to a specific program, faculty, or GPA threshold. Check your scholarship terms and get written confirmation from the sponsor or financial aid office before submitting the change request.
The Bottom Line
Changing your university major in the UAE is a normal, well-supported process — thousands of students do it every year. The formula is simple: research the new program, meet your advisor for a credit-transfer audit, respect the deadline, and get everything in writing. Do that, and a major change becomes a course correction, not a costly restart.
Last Updated: 8 October 2026
About the author: Zaviyar Sultan is a UAE-focused writer at Paxi, covering driving, visas, banking, insurance and everyday UAE life. His guides are researched from official UAE government and regulator sources and updated regularly.
Paxi is an independent informational website, not affiliated with the UAE government or any agency mentioned; content is general information only, not legal, immigration or financial advice; verify critical details with official sources before acting.