Like all other Australian universities, in 2023 we have returned to more face-to-face classes, social activities and student services. From Spring session, most subject activities at UTS will run in-person and on campus.
Welcoming international students back to Sydney
In accordance with government requirements, Australian universities will need to return to compliance from 1 July 2023. This means that students will need to be back on campus for the start of Spring 2023 session.
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the return to compliance for Spring session at UTS.
What does ‘return to compliance’ mean?
With travel restrictions lifted, international students are able to travel to Australia again to study. In response, the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) has announced that universities are expected to return to full compliance with the Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Framework by 30 June 2023.
These obligations were relaxed over the past few years due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, from 1 July 2023, if you are an international student on a student visa, you must not study more than one third of your total enrolment load by online learning and must study at least one ‘face-to-face’ subject during the UTS Autumn and Spring sessions, unless you are completing the final unit of your course.
For more information, visit Studying online or distance mode subjects.
When do I need to return to Sydney?
If you are on a student visa, you will need to be in Sydney from the official class commencement date of Spring 2023 session, unless you are completing the last unit of your course.
Please refer to UTS Handbook academic dates for your course commencement date.
If I can still enrol in online classes in Spring 2023 session, do I need to return to campus?
If you are on a student visa, from Spring 2023 session, in accordance with Standard 8.19 and 8.20 of the National Code, you must be enrolled in at least one face-to-face subject each Autumn and Spring session and must not take more than one third of your subjects online, unless you are completing the last unit of your course.
If some of your subjects still offer online mode, you may enrol and study offshore. However, your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and student visa may be cancelled. If you apply for another substantive visa in future, such as a post-study work visa, this may impact your application. Please contact the UTS international student centre at internationalstudent@uts.edu.au for advice.
What is the one third rule?
An international student on a student visa cannot study more than one third of the total enrolment load by online learning. The one third rule will apply differently on individual students depending on their course progression.
Example 1
Student is in their final session in Spring session 2023 with 24 credit points of subjects remaining.
In this example, the student is allowed to study no more than 8 credit points via online study in Spring session 2023. Hence, if the student is enrolled in three 8-credit-point subjects in Spring session 2023, they are allowed to study one 8-credit-point subject via online study in that session; if they are enrolled in four 6-credit-point subjects in Spring session 2023, they are allowed to study one 6-credit-point subject via online study in that session. If the sessions prior to 30 June 2023 were completed offshore and online, they will not be included in the calculation of online studies.
Example 2
Student is in their second session in Spring 2023, completed 24 credit points via online study in Autumn session 2023 and has 72 credit points left to complete.
In this example, the student is allowed to study no more than 24 credit points (i.e. one third of 72 credit points) via online study in the remaining duration of their course, with at least one face-to-face subject in each Autumn and Spring session. Student should enrol in 24 credit points in each Autumn and Spring session unless otherwise specified in their study plan.
Example 3
Student is commencing a 3-year Bachelor’s degree in Spring session 2023, has been granted 36 credit points of Recognition of Prior Learning and has 108 credit points to complete.
In this example, the student is allowed to study no more than 36 credit points (i.e. one third of 108 credit points) via online study in the remaining duration of their course, with at least one face-to-face subject in each Autumn and Spring session. Student should enrol in 24 credit points in each Autumn and Spring session unless otherwise specified in their study plan, and enrol in their remaining credit points in their final session.
Does the one third online study restriction include the online subjects I have already completed offshore?
The subject(s) you completed between Autumn 2020 and Autumn 2023 sessions will not be counted as online subjects for meeting ESOS compliance.
From Spring 2023 session, you must not enrol in more than one third of your total enrolment load by online learning.
I am in my final session. Can I complete my studies offshore?
It depends.
- If you have more than one subject remaining in your final session, you must enrol in at least one face-to-face subject.
- If you have one subject remaining in your final session, and that subject is available online, you may enrol in that subject and study offshore to complete your course. You must contact the international student centre at internationalstudent@uts.edu.au as there may be implications for your student visa.
What happens if I don’t get my student visa in time for Spring 2023 session?
From Spring 2023 session, all students on a student visa must commence or continue their studies onshore.
If you don’t get your student visa in time to travel to Sydney for Spring 2023 session:
- and you are a commencing student, please email reps@uts.edu.au or your agent (if applicable). In some cases, you may need to defer your commencement to the next available intake.
- and you are a continuing student, you will need to apply for Leave of Absence (LoA).
For more information about the return to compliance, please refer to the FAQs on TEQSA's website or contact internationalstudent@uts.edu.au.