International Student Guide Welcome Welcome to UTS and to Sydney! We are delighted that you have chosen UTS for your study abroad experience and we are committed to ensuring your time with us is as enriching and enjoyable as possible. Studying in a foreign country is a life- changing experience - it’s an opportunity to challenge yourself personally and academically. You’re now part of a diverse community of students, academics and staff from all over the world. Our students and staff come from 120 different countries, making our campus a vibrant and dynamic place to “At UTS, we believe study and socialise. learning goes beyond the At UTS, we believe learning goes beyond classroom. I encourage the classroom. I encourage you to try you to try something new something new during your time here. Challenge yourself by volunteering, joining during your time here.” a sport or social club, learning about entrepreneurship or signing up for our leadership and development programs – there’s something for everyone at UTS. One of the best aspects of studying abroad is getting to know your host country; however adjusting to life in a new country can be challenging. We offer a wide range of support services, from our on-campus medical centre to academic and career support, most of which are free. Remember, our friendly staff are here to support you at any time. Don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. I wish you all the best for an exciting and rewarding time in Sydney and at UTS. Iain Watt Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (International) Contents UTS student diversity Arriving at UTS 03 Starting at UTS 04 46,259 students 15,577 international students Starting at UTS 04 50% students speak a language Campus map 07 other than English Talks, tours and orientation events 08 The above numbers are approximate as of July 2020. Living in Sydney 10 Accommodation 10 Acknowledgement of Country Money and Banking 12 Acknowledging country is a cultural protocol that is a respectful public Getting around 14 acknowledgment of the traditional Food and shopping 16 custodians of the land. UTS acknowledges the Gadigal Support and wellbeing 18 People of the Eora Nation and the Culture shock and your wellbeing 18 Boorooberongal People of the Dharug Nation upon whose ancestral Support services 20 lands our campuses stand. Study and career success 22 We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, Safety and security 24 acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge Managing your course 26 for these Lands. Your student visa 28 Connect with us Beyond the classroom 30 FAQS 32 UTSInternationalstudents UTSint #UTSint FAQS for full-award international coursework students 32 weibo.com/UTSI FAQS for full-award international UTS-Official research students 34 FAQS for sponsored students 36 FAQS for study abroad and exchange students 38 Emergency contacts 40 Photo: Kwa Nguyen Note: This guide was updated in July 2020, in Keep up to date with the latest advice on response to the current situation surrounding COVID-19 and how UTS is responding here: coronavirus (COVID-19). uts.edu.au/current-students/news/ The health and wellbeing of our staff, coronavirus-and-international-travel- students and wider community remains information our number one priority. We will continue to follow the advice and direction of health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel- State and Federal authorities. coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/covid-19/ Pages/frequently-asked-questions.aspx Arriving at UTS Arriving at UTS Congratulations, you’ve made it to UTS! As a new international student you probably have lots of questions about your new home. This guide will help you settle in quickly, so you can start making the most of your time in Sydney and at UTS! Now you’ve arrived Take a look at what you need to do next using this checklist. ARRIVAL IN SYDNEY Contact family and friends to tell them that you have arrived Attend the mandatory Essential International Advice session (see page 8) Get accommodation (see page 10) Update your address and contact details on My Student Admin (see page 5) Finalise your enrolment (see page 26) Collect your UTS student ID card (see page 39) Open an Australian bank account (see page 12) SETTLING IN Buy essential items for your new accommodation (see page 16) Check out UTS Careers / ActivateUTS – attend social activities! (see page 30) Explore the campus and city (see page 7 and page 14) 3 University of Technology Sydney Starting at UTS Before your classes start, take the time to get to know the people who are here to help you at UTS. UTS INTERNATIONAL DOCUMENTATION As an international student, UTS International At UTS International, we can provide you is your main contact point at uni. We can help with letters confirming your student status you with questions about: to assist you with: – your student visa, including visa – working in Australia conditions, renewal and extension – doing your tax – Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) – managing your banking – changing universities – verifying your international student status – managing your study load – changing your student visa to a visitor visa – documents for work and visa issues to stay for your graduation ceremony GET IN TOUCH Visit us at the International Student Centre If you’re not sure where to go for help, contact to apply online. Requests normally take us at UTS International. If we can’t help you, around three working days to process, but we’ll point you to someone who can. this could be longer during busy times after session results are released. During this time, Visit us at Building 5, Block A (CB05A) completion letters may take up to ten working International Student Centre: days to process. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm We issue these documents free of charge (excluding public holidays). as long as you don’t have any overdue fees Student Advisor drop ins: and your enrolment or course completion Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, is correct. 2pm to 4pm STAY CONNECTED Tuesday and Friday, 10am to 12pm Stay in touch with your friends and family Tel: (+61 2) 9514 1531 with an Australian SIM card. You’ll save a lot of [email protected] money when calling overseas or using data in Australia. Study abroad and exchange Australia’s major providers include: Officer drop ins: optus.com.au Monday to Friday, 10am to 11am telstra.com.au and 2pm to 3pm vodafone.com.au Tel: (+61 2) 9514 7915 You can buy a prepaid SIM card at news [email protected] agencies, supermarkets or phone retailers. If you’d rather get a monthly phone plan, visit the provider’s store or website. See page 6 for information about UTS wifi. 4 Starting at UTS Photo: Kwa Nguyen OFFICIAL UTS COMMUNICATION STUDENT CENTRES Don’t miss any essential information and The UTS Student Centres can help with: updates. Keep us up to date with your current address and mobile number. – subject and course information Make sure you also check your UTS email – study plan, enrolment and class account regularly. This is the official way we allocation enquiries communicate with you. – progression and academic caution UTSOnline is our online platform* for students – exam-related and academic progress and academics. Your lecturers will use this to applications share subject materials and communicate – leave of absence and concurrent study with your classmates. This is where you’ll also applications find your subject outline and any preparation you need to do before class. Check your – recognition of prior learning and UTSOnline account regularly. subject substitution applications online.uts.edu.au – graduation matters *From 2020, all postgraduate subjects will be in Canvas. FIND YOUR STUDENT CENTRE AT: Building 10, Level 2 Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Visa requirement First two weeks of Autumn/Spring sessions, 8:30am to 6pm Update your address and contact details within seven days of arriving Building 5 – Haymarket Block C, Level 1 in Australia or changing address. Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Don’t forget - it’s a condition of your First two weeks of Autumn/Spring student visa! sessions, 8:30am to 6pm We can’t accept responsibility if STUDENT CENTRE ENQUIRIES important information doesn’t reach Submit online enquiries and eRequests you because you haven’t told us your to your Student Centre via ask.uts.edu.au new details. You can do this through My Student Admin. 1300 ASK UTS (1300 275 887) onestopadmin.uts.edu.au 5 University of Technology Sydney LIBRARY AND THE STUDENT LEARNING HUB During your studies, the UTS Library will be a valuable resource to you. We offer a wide range of resources and services, including: WIFI at UTS – Online tutorials: lib.uts.edu.au/headsup All students at UTS can – Study spaces including bookable connect to our free and secure collaborative study rooms: wifi network (UTS-WiFi). Log in using your student lib.uts.edu.au/facilities/library-spaces ID and password. – Free events and classes to help with your studies: lib.uts.edu.au/events – Library computers installed with Chinese, Korean and Japanese software Situated at the heart of UTS Central, the Student Learning Hub (Building 2, level 4) is the go-to place for students to receive advice and guidance on UTS student support services. Throughout each teaching session a range INFORMATION of UTS services will pop up in the Hub. From TECHNOLOGY SERVICES financial assistance to careers, assignment Every UTS student has a Microsoft Office help to Library services, the Hub will bring 365 account with access to: support services from across the university campus to this one location when students – Email and calendar (50GB) need them most.