Transferring To Another Course At The University - IELTS Listening Answers & Explanations
From Collins Practice Tests For IELTS 2 Academic Listening Test 3 · Part 3 · Questions 21–30
Audio
Questions
Questions 21–23 Matching
What does Judy say about the following courses?
Write the correct letter, A, B or C.
A. She transferred from this course.
B. She transferred to this course.
C. Her transfer request was turned down for this course.
Questions 24–26 Multiple Choice (Three Answers)
Choose THREE letters, A-G.
Questions 27–30 Note Completion
Complete the sentences below.
Write NO MORE THAN THREE WORDS for each answer.
Transferring to another course at the university
Step 1: Identify your reasons for wanting to transfer.
Step 2: Check that you satisfy the 27 for the new course.
Step 3: Speak with the Careers Service.
Step 4: Find out if there are any 28 implications.
Step 5: Speak to the Admissions Tutor in the department you want to transfer to.
Step 6: Complete a(n) 29 form.
Please note: The form must also be signed by the 30 of your current course and the one you are transferring to.
Answers & Explanations Summary
| # | Answer | Evidence | Explanation |
|---|---|---|---|
| Q21 | B | Anyway, I spoke with the course tutors and they told me about the Fine Art programme. They thought I had the talent to do it, so that was that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that Judy talked to her teachers, and they told her to join the Fine Art course. She says 'so that was that' to show that she finished the change and started studying Fine Art. Answer Explanation: The answer means that Judy changed her studies so that Fine Art became her new course. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is B because Judy explains how she changed her course. She first studied English but did not enjoy it. She wanted to study History of Art, but there was no more space. Her teachers then suggested she join the Fine Art course because she was good at it. She followed their advice and moved into that course. The words 'transfer to' mean to change from one thing to another. |
| Q22 | C | tried to transfer to History of Art but the course was full | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows that Judy attempted to change her field of study to History of Art, but the class already had too many students, so she could not join. Answer Explanation: The answer C means that Judy was not allowed to change her course to History of Art because there was no room for her. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is C because Judy explains that she tried to switch her studies to History of Art. However, she says that 'the course was full', which means the university could not accept her request to join that specific class. In English, when a request is rejected or cannot be granted, we say it was 'turned down'. |
| Q23 | A | I'd studied Art at college and wanted to continue but my parents persuaded me that English would be more useful, so I took their advice. But I really didn't enjoy it and tried to transfer to History of Art but the course was full. Anyway, I spoke with the course tutors and they told me about the Fine Art programme. They thought I had the talent to do it, so that was that | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that Judy followed her parents' suggestion to study English, but she was not happy with it. She tried to move to a different art-related course and finally joined the Fine Art programme, meaning she moved away from the English course. Answer Explanation: The answer means Judy left the English course so she could start a different course that she liked more. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is A because Judy says she followed her parents' advice to study English even though she wanted to continue studying art. However, since she did not like the English course, she looked for a different subject and eventually moved to the Fine Art programme. This process of changing your course within a university is called a 'transfer'. Because English was her original course that she left, she transferred 'from' it. |
| Q24 | — | — | |
| Q25 | — | — | |
| Q26 | A / C / F | Most of the other students on the course seem to have at least one German parent or they've spent a great deal of time in Germany, so their German is much better than mine. We get huge novels to read and I'm still struggling with the first chapter while they're already finished and writing their assignments. I thought about doing a combined degree, German with another course, as the workload would be less but in the end I feel a complete change would be best. One of my other subjects at school was History and I realise now I'm actually more interested in that. One of my housemates is doing History and it sounds like a great degree, so I've decided to focus on that That would be exciting, I know, but that's really the only thing I like about the course and I can always do some travelling after I've finished my studies |
Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Graham explaining how hard the German course is for him compared to others. It also shows him saying that he is now more interested in History. Finally, it shows that he is okay with giving up the year abroad because he plans to travel later on anyway. Answer Explanation: The answer identifies that Graham wants to transfer because the current German course is too difficult for him, he has a stronger interest in History, and he is not worried or upset about losing the opportunity to study in another country for a year. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found by looking at Graham's specific complaints and choices. He explains that the German course is too difficult because he is "struggling" with the work while other students find it easy. He clearly states he is "more interested" in History now than German. Lastly, he mentions that although studying abroad is "exciting," he is not bothered by missing it because he can simply travel after he graduates. He rejects a combined degree and does not have specific career plans yet, which makes the other options incorrect. |
| Q27 | qualifications / entry requirements | I'm sure you've already done this, but check what the entry requirements are for History and whether you've got the necessary qualifications | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript shows Judy telling Graham to check if he meets the specific rules and has the necessary school background needed to be accepted into the History department. Answer Explanation: The answer means the school grades, skills, or tests you must have so that a university allows you to start a specific course. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is drawn from Judy's advice on how to change courses. She tells Graham that he must look at the entry requirements (the rules for joining) and check if he has the right qualifications (his background grades) to show the new department that he is ready for the work. |
| Q28 | funding | And then there's your funding. I'm no expert but I would imagine this won't be a problem; German's a four-year course and History is three, so you could just start from Year 1 next September. If the Careers Service think it's OK and there are no funding problems, go and speak to the Admissions Tutor in the History Department, just to see if they're happy with your qualifications - and if there are places | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that after visiting the Careers Service, Graham needs to ensure his 'funding' is secure and that there are no 'problems' with his money before moving on to talk to the Admissions Tutor. Answer Explanation: The answer is 'funding,' which refers to the money available or provided to pay for a student's university education. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is 'funding' because Judy advises Graham to check his financial situation as the fourth step in his transfer process. She mentions this after the step involving the Careers Service and before the step involving the Admissions Tutor. In the task, the phrase 'funding implications' refers to what Judy describes as potential 'funding problems' regarding his transition from a four-year course to a three-year one. |
| Q29 | internal transfer | You just have to complete a form - I think it's called an internal transfer form | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript says that to finish the process of changing to a new subject, the student only needs to fill out a document specifically named an 'internal transfer form'. Answer Explanation: The answer is the name of the specific document a student needs to fill out to change their course within the same school. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is found when Judy talks about how easy it is to change courses once you are accepted. She says that since the student is staying at the same university, they only need to fill out a paper called an 'internal transfer form'. Keywords like 'complete a form' and 'called an...' show that this is the specific name of the document needed. |
| Q30 | Head of Department | Your current Head of Department and the one for the course you're transferring to have to add their signature as well | Excerpt/Transcript Explanation: The transcript explains that the person in charge of Graham's current studies and the person in charge of his new studies both need to sign his transfer form. Answer Explanation: The answer "Head of Department" refers to the person who is in charge of a specific subject or area of study at a university. Reason For Correctness: The correct answer is determined by Judy's explanation of the final steps in the transfer process. She mentions that after getting a form, it needs to be signed by the leader of the student's current subject area and the leader of the new subject area. In the transcript, she uses the specific title "Head of Department" to describe these individuals. |
Transcript
Judy: Hi Graham. How you doing?
Graham: Hi Judy. I'm fine, thanks. And thanks for popping round. I was hoping I could pick your brains about transferring to another course.
Judy: Yes, I remember you saying you wanted to do something else. Are you planning on staying here, or are you looking to go to a different university?
Graham: No, I'm happy to stay here. I just feel I need to do something else. How did you go about your transfer? You did History of Art originally, didn't you?
Judy: That was the course I initially wanted to transfer to. I'd studied Art at college and wanted to continue but my parents persuaded me that English would be more useful, so I took their advice. But I really didn't enjoy it and tried to transfer to History of Art but the course was full. Anyway, I spoke with the course tutors and they told me about the Fine Art programme. They thought I had the talent to do it, so that was that.
Graham: I see. How did your parents take the news?
Judy: They were OK about it, really. They just want me to do what I enjoy, so everything's fine there. So, you're hoping to transfer as well, then?
Graham: Yes, I think I've given the German course a good try but I'm not really happy. Most of the other students on the course seem to have at least one German parent or they've spent a great deal of time in Germany, so their German is much better than mine. We get huge novels to read and I'm still struggling with the first chapter while they're already finished and writing their assignments. I thought about doing a combined degree, German with another course, as the workload would be less but in the end I feel a complete change would be best. One of my other subjects at school was History and I realise now I'm actually more interested in that. One of my housemates is doing History and it sounds like a great degree, so I've decided to focus on that.
Judy: Well, people do transfer, so it's not out of the ordinary. But won't you miss the opportunity to study abroad for a year? You spend Year 3 in Germany, don't you?
Graham: I know. Not only Germany, actually. You have a choice of Germany, Switzerland or Austria. That would be exciting, I know, but that's really the only thing I like about the course and I can always do some travelling after I've finished my studies. I still don't know what I want to do as far as a career is concerned, so I think it's best I study something I enjoy, first and foremost. Anyway, I thought I'd ask you about how you went about your transfer before taking it any further.
Judy: Well, the first thing you have to do is make sure you're clear in your own mind why you want to transfer. You'll need to persuade people that it's a good idea, so get your arguments clear. Then ... I'm sure you've already done this, but check what the entry requirements are for History and whether you've got the necessary qualifications. They might be more flexible now you're actually here but you need to show them you'd be able to keep up with your studies.
Graham: Well I've got History qualifications, so I'm hoping that won't be a problem. Who do I have to speak to?
Judy: Well, they always tell you to speak with your course tutor first in case there's a way of making the course you're on more appealing to you. But it sounds like you've definitely decided to get out, so I'd go to the Careers Service next, just to make sure there aren't any restrictions on transferring. It shouldn't be a problem but it's best to check first. And then there's your funding. I'm no expert but I would imagine this won't be a problem; German's a four-year course and History is three, so you could just start from Year 1 next September. If the Careers Service think it's OK and there are no funding problems, go and speak to the Admissions Tutor in the History Department, just to see if they're happy with your qualifications - and if there are places.
Graham: OK. Well, I'm hoping it'll be OK. I'm planning to transfer at the beginning of next year rather than half-way through this year.
Judy: Yes, hopefully it'll be alright. If they accept you, it's pretty straightforward after that. It's not like you're going to another university. You just have to complete a form - I think it's called an internal transfer form. Your current Head of Department and the one for the course you're transferring to have to add their signature as well. And that's it.
Graham: Well, thanks for that, Judy. I'd better start making my case for transferring, I suppose.