Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have questions regarding the UTS Study Abroad and Exchange (SAEx) process? Have you perhaps arrived in Sydney and have questions about what to do next for your journey at UTS? Have a look at the frequently asked questions below.

Remember that you can also meet with a staff member from the SAEX team

In-person drop-in: Monday – Wednesday, 11am to 12pm. Drop by at the UTS International counter at CB01.03A. 
Online consultation (Current students): Thursdays & Fridays, 12pm to 2pm. By appointment only.

When Applying

What are the eligibility requirements?

Our Entry requirements and cost page will cover all the eligibility requirements according to your situation.

What documents do I need to submit with my application?

Please have a look at our “Step 5” on the “How to apply” page. 
 
When submitting your application, you will need to include the following four documents: 

  1. UTS PDF Application Form 

  1. Official Transcript (For Study Abroad applicant: must be sent by institution – not acceptable directly from student) 

  1. Proof of English (if applicable, refer to this page for more details) 

  1. Passport with at least 6 months left OR a valid photo ID 

What is the English requirement?

That will depend on your home university and country of origin. 
Have a look at the detailed explanation within the "English Language" section on the Entry requirement and cost page. 

What subjects can I enroll in?

We have a wide and varied range of subjects to enrol in. 

Explore the pre-approved subject lists and also the Subject Guides per Faculty if you have to enrol in specific subjects according to your home university.  

What are the minimum/maximum credit points I have to enroll in?

Study Abroad and Exchange students must enrol in a full-time load at UTS. The full-time study load is 18-24 credit points per session. Credit points apply to all subjects and represent a measure of the student workload by subject. Most subjects at UTS are 6 credit points each, but some may carry different credit point values. Be mindful of this when choosing your subjects. 

You can check out further details within our Subject and Academic Information page within the “Academic Information” section. 

Preparing for Australia

What sort of Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) do I need to take?

As required under the Australian Student visa, you will need to purchase OSHC*.  

When purchasing your OSHC, please double-check that: 

  • The duration (dates) of the cover is correct; 

  • Your name, nationality and passport number are as per the passport you will be using to enter Australia 

Please do not send us: 

- A ‘global health insurance certificate’ - it is not the same as OSHC; 

- Proof of payment; we only need the actual OSHC certificate. 
 

* Some countries have OSHC agreements. Please refer to the section “Health Cover” under the tab “Fees and living expenses” to check which countries are included in this agreement and read more details. 

How long will my Visa processing take? 

Visa assessments are solely managed by the Department of Home Affairs.

Processing time can change at any time, please check visa processing time directly on the Home Affairs website.

Here are some proactive steps that you can take to potentially assist with your application:  

  • Ensure that the passport you are using for your applications is valid for a minimum of 6 months. 

  • If you have dual citizenship, ensure you use the details of the passport you will be using for traveling within your visa application.  

  • Ensure that the name you enter on the visa application form is as per the ‘lower strip’ on your passport (E.g. no European accents, special spellings, etc.) 

  • Letter from your home university:   
    It can be beneficial to obtain a formal letter from your home university affirming your intention to return to your home country after completing your exchange program at UTS. Such documentation can often facilitate visa processing by demonstrating your strong ties to your home country. Once you have obtained the letter, please ensure to go back into your visa application and upload it.   
    Additionally, review your application thoroughly to confirm that all questions have been answered accurately and that there are no outstanding requests for additional information.  

  • Check your spam folder:   
    There is a possibility that email communications from the Department of Home Affairs containing important deadlines may inadvertently go to your spam folder. Please check those emails and monitor that folder regularly when awaiting for your visa.  

I need help finding accommodation

UTS has on-campus accommodation via the UTS Housing service. Applications for this residence opens twice a year and there is a high demand for it. 

Although we do have 150 reserved beds for Study Abroad and Exchange students, it’s important that you also look at off-campus accommodation options as soon as you start applying for UTS. 

Please feel free to reach out to the UTS Housing service for off-campus accommodation listings by emailing them at housing.service@uts.edu.au and also have a look at the following information pages: 

What should I check before departing for Sydney?

Before your arrival, we’ll ask you to sign up for the UTS Canvas platform and begin the "Culture Connect" module. This is a fantastic way to get your first glimpse into Australian culture, what to expect once you’re here, and to start connecting with other exchange and study abroad students. Your initial orientation session will also be held online through the Culture Connect module.

Once You've Arrived in Sydney

What do I need to set up or do once on-site (in Sydney, Australia)?

A lot of information regarding what to do once you arrive in Sydney will be provided via the UTS Orientation sessions. Two of these sessions will be the compulsory Exchange and Study Abroad sessions: one online and one in-person. 

Set up your:

  • Unique Student Identifier (USI)
    A USI is your individual education number for life. It also gives you an online record of your vocational education and training (VET) undertaken in Australia.
  • Download the Okta app and set up your Multi-factor Authentication (MFA)
    Multi-factor authentication (MFA) provides secure access to all your UTS applications with single sign-on. Sign in once every 30 days for easy access to all your applications while studying at UTS, there's no need to remember multiple passwords.
  • Your MyeQuals account 
    My eQuals is a secure and trusted provider of certified digital documents such as your UTS transcripts. It allows users to securely view their documents and share them with third parties, including employers and other universities.
    As a UTS Study Abroad and Exchange student, you will need to complete this as soon as you arrival as all UTS credentials (access to UTS systems) will no longer work once you leave UTS.
  • Complete Consent Matters training
    Consent Matters is a compulsory online training about appropriate behaviour and positive intervention.
    As a UTS Study Abroad and Exchange student, you are STRONGLY encouraged to complete this within the 3 first weeks of your arrival. If left as incomplete, a sanction will be placed on your transcripts and you will not be able to access them until the training is done.

How can I change my subjects?

If you need to change your enrolment for any reason it’s important you understand the liabilities that may be involved. Subject withdrawal without academic and financial penalty is allowed up until the census date for the current teaching period. 

This can be done in My Student Admin. After census date you will need to apply for subject withdrawal via eRequest.

Refer to the Enrolment changes page for instructions on adding or withdrawing from subjects.

What’s the last day to change subjects?

To find the deadline for adding a subject or changing your subject activities (like swapping a class time) in a given session, visit the Last day to enrol page for up-to-date information.

I’ve got a form that I need to complete for my home university.

If you have any forms that need to be completed or signed by UTS, please email them to studyabroad.exchange@uts.edu.au. Make sure to include your full name, UTS student ID number (if you have one) and complete the sections you need to complete on your end before sending it to us.

Where can I find out what’s happening on campus?

There are many events and opportunities happening around the UTS campus throughout the year. Here are a list of channels for you to save:

  • UTS Study Abroad and Exchange Instagram
  • UTS Study Abroad and Exchange Whatsapp group (a link will be shared each session to the students taking part in that session)
  • ActivateUTS website (clubs, societies, sports and on-campus student lead events) 
  • UTS Insider: this newsletter for all UTS students covers much of what’s happening on or near campus. As a UTS student, you will automatically receive it.
  • UTS’s many support services, Faculty and clubs: these all have their own social media accounts and newsletters. Google the name of the service/faculty you’re interested in to find their handle/subscription page.

What extra curriculum activities or student support services are there at UTS?

There are so many! Here are a few to start with:

  • UTS student support and services:
    • HELPS (academic support & English conversation classes)
    • UTS CareerHub: job searching and career opportunities
    • Housing: accommodation-related support
    • Medical or Counselling service: get an appointment with a GP, nurse or counsellor on-site
    • Accessibly service:
    • Library: library room and study groups
    • UTS Student association: free food, support on various matters and there to represent you!
    • ActivateFit.Gym: Gym and fitness on campus
    • Activate clubs: over 250+ clubs for you to discover and join!

    • Emergency services: security, immediate support.


      • Extra curriculum opportunities:
        • UTS Startups - Support for young entrepreneurs at UTS
        • UTS BUILD Program - Global leadership program designed to harness students' leadership potential
        • UTS SOUL Award - Co-curricular social justice leadership & volunteering program

How do I access my Transcript?

Before completing your session at UTS, you will need to set up your MyeQuals account. Via this platform, you will freely access your official UTS academic record (transcript) which you can share with your home university/agent.

Important: you MUST set this up before the end of the UTS session as all your UTS accounts will be closed once the session is over. 

I have a sanction on my account. What should I do?

Please visit the student sanctions page for more details on resolving sanctions.

I need to talk to someone in person from the UTS Global Mobility team. Where can I get help?

Please know that we are there to help you and you can speak to one of our professional staff through:

  • In-person drop-ins: Monday – Wednesday, 11am to 12pm. Come to the UTS International counter located at UTS Building 1, level 3 (near the Chancellery).
  • Online consultations (Current students only): Thursdays & Fridays, 12pm to 2pm. 
    By appointment only. Appointment booking information is available on Culture Connect.

I’ve got another question not covered here. Who can I contact?

Please send any other request to studyabroad.exchange@uts.edu.au, and a team member will respond to your question(s).

Acknowledgement of Country

UTS acknowledges the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation, the Boorooberongal people of the Dharug Nation, the Bidiagal people and the Gamaygal people, upon whose ancestral lands our university stands. We would also like to pay respect to the Elders both past and present, acknowledging them as the traditional custodians of knowledge for these lands.