While you are studying | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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While you are studying

At UniSC we are committed to helping you succeed in your journey. UniSC provides a range of services to help you throughout your studies as an international student, as well as information to ensure you understand any unique requirements if you are a Student visa holder.

As an international student, studying in an unfamiliar environment can be a daunting experience. You can access a variety of resources and support services to assist you through your studies at UniSC. We have provided a summary here but there's also comprehensive information and support for international students.

Note, this information is for coursework students only. Students enrolled in a Higher Degree by Research should refer to HDR candidature information.

As a UniSC student, the University monitors your academic performance to ensure you are moving toward successful completion of your program requirements.

If you are an international student on a Student visa you must maintain satisfactory course progress and complete your program within the standard duration. There may be serious consequences for your Student visa if you do not meet minimum academic requirements and make satisfactory progress.

The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act protects the rights of Student visa holders studying in Australia, including:

  • Your right to receive, before enrolling, current and accurate information about the programs, fees, modes of study, and other information from your institution and your institution’s agent.
  • Your right to enter into a written agreement with your institution before paying fees, setting out the services to be provided, fees payable, and information about refunds of program money. Your letter of offer is the written agreement between you and UniSC once accepting your offer.
  • The Tuition Protection Service (TPS) is a placement and refund service for international students, which is activated in the event that your institution is unable to teach your program.

As a Student visa holder, it is important to be aware of your obligations and important Student visa conditions. In addition to the requirement of maintaining satisfactory academic progress (see 'Academic progress' tab), please ensure you are familiar with the conditions that relate to your study. An overview of these conditions and obligations is provided below, however you are able to review all conditions attached to your visa by using the Visa Entitlement Verification Online system (VEVO).

Contact the Department of Home Affairs if you have any questions regarding your visa conditions.

A Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) is an official document issued by UniSC to international students who intend to study on a Student visa.

You supply the CoE to the Department of Home Affairs (DOHA) during the Student visa application process as evidence of your intended enrolment at UniSC. While you are studying, the CoE provides various Government Departments (such as the Department of Home Affairs) with important information about your enrolment status. Any changes to your enrolment at UniSC will be reported against your CoE.

The CoE contains your UniSC enrolment information, including:

  • Program of study
  • Program duration
  • Program start and finish dates
  • Estimated program costs

You are expected to complete your program within the duration specified in the CoE. Usually, unless you have been awarded credit transfer from previous studies, this will be the full-time study duration for the program you are enrolled in.

At times, you may need to make changes to your enrolment at UniSC. The information below gives you an overview of your options as an international student.

Note, if you have questions regarding course enrolment or your study sequence you should contact Student Central.

As an international student you are required to hold a visa that has appropriate study rights, as per the Enrolments and Graduations - Procedures.

UniSC runs regular checks to ensure that we have students’ current visa details on file. You may receive an email requesting evidence of the visa you currently hold to demonstrate that you have appropriate study rights.

To check the study entitlements attached to your visa, you can use the Visa Entitlement Verification Online service.

If you change visa type and your study entitlements are affected, you must contact the International Office immediately.

If you enter Australia on a Working Holiday or Work and Holiday visa and intend to study for longer than four months, you will need to apply for a Student visa.