HSS International

Yes, we know there's alot to consider when going on exchange to another country. The information below is sourced from the UTS Institute of International Studies website, www.iis.uts.edu.au.

Who can apply?
Why choose UTS?
What can I study?
What level of English do I need?
What can I do if my English level is not high enough?
When can I study?
How many subjects can I choose?
What do I pay for?
Can I work while studying on Exchange?
What about travel arrangements?
Do I need health insurance?
Where will I live?
How are my subjects taught?

Who can apply?

• Students from UTS exchange partner universities can apply for student exchange at UTS. Sometimes exchange agreements may be limited to students from particular faculties, so you should check with your adviser at your home university to ensure you are eligible.
• UTS can accept students for some programs at either undergraduate or postgraduate level. Usually you will need to have completed an undergraduate degree to be able to take postgraduate subjects.
• Students coming to UTS must study as full-time students.

Why choose UTS?

• UTS is renowned for integrating theory and practice in its programs and has excellent contacts with business, industry and the professions.
• Exchange students coming to UTS can choose subjects from across eight faculties and the Institute for International Studies.
• UTS is located in Sydney - an exciting and cosmopolitan city. The city campus, in the heart of Sydney's central business district, is near Central railway and major bus routes. St Leonards campus, in Sydney's metropolitan lower North Shore, is a short walk from St Leonards railway. Kuring-gai campus, set in Lindfield's leafy bushland on the North Shore, is connected by shuttle bus to nearby Lindfield railway.

What can I study?

• You can choose your subjects from those offered by the Faculties of Business, Design Architecture and Building, Education, Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences, Information Technology, Law, Science or the Institute for International Studies.
• UTS allows exchange students to choose subjects from any of its faculties, or a mixture of faculties, but you must have approval from your home university for the subjects you propose to study.
• Almost all non-first year subjects at UTS have prerequisites - that is, prior subjects you need to have studied at your home university to have the necessary level of knowledge. The list of pre-requisite subjects are listed at the start of each subject description. If a subject has prerequisites, you must check that each pre-requisite subject appears on your transcript including subjects you are currently enrolled in. If you do not have the necessary prerequisites, faculties at UTS will suggest alternative subjects.
• You can only study subjects that are taught in the semester you are attending. You should check the UTS timetable, which are released in October for the following 2 semesters.
• Some popular professional subjects at UTS - particularly those using technology-based media - have limits on the number of students who can take the subject. It is not possible for students to be guaranteed access to these subjects. Students are restricted to 1 200 or 300 level 'Professional Practice' subject in Media Arts and Production.
• You will only be enrolled in subjects when your on-line enrolment process is complete. On-line enrolments open in November for the following year.
• You should include a list of 7 alternative subjects for each semester in your application.
• Your subject choices will be approved by UTS as part of the application process. If you need to make changes this can be discussed with academic advisers upon your arrival and approved as part of enrolment. You will need to keep your own university informed and get their approval for those changes.

* For the English language requirements of Engineering programs studied in combination with programs offered by other UTS faculties, refer to the relevant test score required for 'all programs'.

If it is difficult for you to access IELTS testing, you can submit evidence of the equivalent TOEFL score of 231 with essay rating of 4.5.

If you come from Sweden , Denmark or Norway a mark of 75% or better in final High School English is considered equivalent.

If you come from Germany , France , Austria , Switzerland or the Netherlands you are eligible to apply using alternative means of language assessment. Please download the English Language Proficiency Pilot Scheme Form (RTF* 598K) for more details. Students from this group may be required to complete a subject in English for academic purposes during their first semester at UTS.

What can I do if my English level is not high enough?

§ There is the option of enrolling in Australian Language and Culture Courses run by the UTS English Language and Study Skills Assistance (ELSSA) Centre. If you have English at the level of IELTS 5.0 - 6.4 (TOEFL equivalent 180 - 230) you can undertake the Advanced Diploma in Australian Language and Culture (ADALC). Or if you have IELTS 3.0 - 4.9 (TOEFL equivalent 133 - 179) you can undertake the course in Australian English Language and Culture (AELC).

When can I study?

• You can study at UTS as an exchange student for either a semester or a full year, depending on what your home university allows. The UTS academic year is from the end of February till early December and is organised in 2 semesters - Autumn semester (from the end of February till mid June) and Spring semester (from the beginning of August till early December).
• The closing date of applications:
• for study in the UTS Autumn semester ( February - June) 30 August
• for study in the UTS Spring semester ( August - December) 30 March
• You will need to check closing dates with your own university as they will need some time to process your application to meet these deadlines.
• Each semester UTS provides an orientation program for exchange students. This orientation is a compulsory part of the exchange program. It provides an opportunity for you to find out about UTS and make friends before the semester begins.

How many subjects can I choose?

• At UTS a full-time study load for one semester ranges from a minimum of 18 credit points to a maximum of 24 credit points. As most UTS subjects have a value of either 6 or 8 credit points you would usually enrol for 3 or 4 subjects each semester. Exchange students must not take more than 24 credit points.
• Credit points represent the workload associated with a subject - not the contact hours. Some subjects may have relatively few contact hours and a relatively large amount of individual or project work.
• To assist you, and allow some flexibility, you can obtain approval for five or six subjects in your application and make a final choice when you enrol.

What do I pay for?

• Exchange students do not need to pay tuition or other fees at UTS, but you must pay any tuition fees normally required by your home university. Please consult your adviser at your home university to find out whether they provide scholarships or other forms of financial assistance.
• You need to pay for travel, accommodation and living expenses. An estimated A$16,000 per year is required for living expenses . This covers accommodation, food and transport. In addition, an initial establishment cost of about A$3,000 is usually needed to cover rental bonds for accommodation, furniture and electricity and telephone expenses. 
• Exchange students are able to obtain a NSW transport concession card which offers a 50% discount on state transportation - trains, buses and ferries.

Can I work while studying on Exchange?

• The student visa allows you to work for up to 20 hours per week while you are studying at UTS. However, you need to have proof that you are enrolled in a full time program to be able to work. In practice, this means that you cannot begin working until classes begin.

What about travel arrangements?

• Travel arrangements are your responsibility. You should not make any payments towards airfares or other expenses until you have received notification from UTS that your exchange has been accepted.
• It is also your responsibility to ensure that you have a Student Visa which is valid for study in Australia . You need to check with the Australian Diplomatic Post in your home country to obtain information that is relevant to students from your country. You cannot apply for a Student Visa until you have received a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from UTS
• You should allow ample time to obtain your student visa.

Do I need health insurance?

• Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is a compulsory Australian Government requirement for Student Visa applications to Australia . The OSHC premium must be paid to UTS before you can receive your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) and obtain your visa.
• Swedish and Norwegian students who have health cover in their home countries may be exempt from OSHC.
• Check the OSHC website to obtain detailed information on what is included in OSHC. You may wish to consider obtaining additional health insurance for items not included in OSHC.

Where will I live?

• UTS has a very limited amount of student accommodation and it is unlikely that rooms will be available for exchange students.
• The UTS Housing Service will organise short-term accommodation for you on arrival and will help you to find longer-term housing. It is relatively easy to find somewhere to stay in Sydney and most exchange students find accommodation in shared houses or apartments during their first few days in Sydney .

How are my subjects taught?

• Subjects include all or some of lectures, tutorials, seminars, laboratory sessions and practical experience.
• Students would normally attend class for between 10 and 24 hours per week, but this depends very much on the subject and whether it is undergraduate or postgraduate. Classes may be scheduled any time between 9.00am and 9.00pm .
• You will be given written information on assessment for each subject at the beginning of the semester. For some subjects, you will not be required to sit a final examination.. For other subjects there may be a final examination which will be worth up to 50% of the final assessment. Written assignments, tutorial participation, practical work, group work, projects, short tests or seminar presentations may all form part of the assessment.