Switching Masters (IT to FinEng/MSBA) Mid-Program: Visa Implications?

Career guidance University & Courses Exploration
1

I’m currently enrolled in an MS in IT program in Germany, but it’s not the right fit. I’m passionate about finance (CFA Level 1, 720 GMAT) and have applied for Master’s programs in Financial Engineering and Business Analytics in the US/UK for this fall. My questions are:

  1. Can I discontinue my German MS program if accepted into a US/UK program?
  2. Will my existing German student visa impact my US/UK student visa applications? Any advice on navigating this transition would be greatly appreciated.
2

You can discontinue your study if you dont consider it to be your right fit, It’s your academic choice. However, you should officially de-register from the university to avoid any issues later on. There might be some administrative procedures involved, so check with the university’s international student office!

3

Have you checked with your current university of whether you could withdraw your name from the course mid-way?

4

And you’ll probably need to inform the immigration office that you’re leaving Germany before your visa expires, even if you get a new one for the US or UK. Don’t just disappear without a trace, that can cause problems down the line.

5

Okay, makes sense. But that’s my other worry. I already have a German student visa. Will that complicate my applications for US or UK visas? I’m worried they’ll think I’m just trying to use Germany as a stepping stone.