Genetics is a very awesome field IMO. Of course, very few people IRL agree
Well, I have no idea where you're from or what's the thing there, Hermoine, but I guess if I were you I'd do this:
1. Make sure you are applying to a university whose credit hours can be transferred. So that if you move, wherever you move to, you can transfer your credit hours to a particular university there (yes, you should do you research now in case you need to apply) and continue your studies. If you're not sure if the university has transferable credits, and exactly how much credit can be transferred, ask the university you're intending to apply to and also the university abroad you might have to go to, at any point.
2. Ask this university if you can split the money installments and whether they have a refund policy. You never know, they might listen.
3. Apply to both courses. If you have gotten in both, or get in both courses, then perform istikhara.
4. Continuing from 3, don't stop istikhara! Sure, your mom can do it but you should keep performing istikhara until you're sure and as regularly as possible for you.
5. Trust Allah
He gives and takes wealth, so if you're going to lose the year's fee there's nothing you can do about it, He may naozubillah take it away some other way and if you're not going to lose it, you could win a lottery for all you know
Best wishes!