The University has paused all in-person classes.
UNSW has introduced online teaching and learning for most classes to help reduce virus transmission and protect the UNSW and wider community.
Term 3 courses
At this stage, we are planning for a return to campus at the beginning of Term 3. We recognise that some students will still be unable to return - which is why we will also maintain or prepare online alternatives for Term 3. We do expect the recommencement of many face-to-face tutorials and practicals, however all lectures will remain online. You can find all current courses offerings in the UNSW class timetable.
Recognition of online studies by the Chinese Government
Chinese Government officials have confirmed that UNSW online courses will be recognised by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) if a student's study plan has been disrupted by COVID-19 and associated travel restrictions.
Recognition of online studies by the Indian Government
The Indian Ministry of Human Resources Development is yet to make a final decision on recognition of online studies via foreign higher education providers. The Australian Government is continuing to make representations to their Indian counterparts and the UNSW India Centre is similarly making representations to relevant agencies in New Delhi.
You must participate in your class at the specified time (Australian Eastern Standard Time – AEST) unless your Course Authority has advised that a class is not compulsory or has been recorded.
Special Consideration will not be awarded on the grounds that you are in different time zone.
You may choose to defer the start of your study until 2021.
Your COE will be cancelled and you will need to accept your new offer. Once you accept your new offer a new COE will be issued.
You need both a valid COE and visa to enter Australia. Your student visa should stay in place.
Please check the Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system for your visa end date, updated details and conditions.
Program leave is for continuing students.
Program leave will be granted as compassionate and compelling so there should be no impact on your student visa. Your current Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) will be cancelled but a new one will be issued straight away. You can check your visa status through Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO).
We recommend that you also notify the Department of Home Affairs.
If you have questions about program leave and your COE and visa, please email: international.student@unsw.edu.au.
You can find all current courses offerings in the UNSW Class Timetable.
The Class Timetable will be updated if a course is cancelled due to unforeseen circumstances. If you are registered for that class you will be notified automatically.
Yes – You will be asked for the details of your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) if you attend a doctor, medical centre or hospital.
Go here for more information on OSHC.
UNSW’s preferred OSHC provider is Medibank.
Visit our new UNSW Student Life Online portal to stay connected and for further information on where to go for support and assistance. You can also contact our Student Support Advisors or International Student Advisors.
Campus-dependent HDR research candidates can seek permission to be on-campus to continue their work via their Supervisor. Their supervisor will be required to make a formal request. More information on the process, guidance and mandatory training for being on-campus is here.
If you are a current candidate, please contact the Candidature Management Officer for your Faculty to discuss circumstances.
If you wish to defer your scholarship offer to 2021, you will need to be considered in the November 2020 release scholarship round. Please contact the Admissions & Scholarships Team at international.grs@unsw.edu.au or domestic.grs@unsw.edu.au.
Term 3 enrolment begins as early as 3 August 2020, right up until 11 October 2020. More information about Term dates can be found here.
If you are unable to conduct your research due to the current restrictions and travel bans, you should discuss the following with your supervisor:
If you are unable to continue or modify your work, you should consider taking program leave. Alternatively, if you can continue at a reduced capacity, part time enrolment could be an option. Please see below for details on how to apply.
Make sure that you document any ways that COVID-19 has impacted your progress, as this can be taken into account at a later stage when needed.
If you wish to apply for Program Leave in Term 3 2020 you can do so via GRIS. The deadline to apply for program leave for Term 3 is 11 October 2020. For more information on Term dates, please visit the HDR Academic Calendar.
Please be aware that your scholarship will be suspended while you’re on leave and you should not be working on your research during that time. If you have any questions about program leave, please contact the Candidature Management Officer for your Faculty.
If you are a domestic research candidate, you can apply for a change to part-time enrolment using GRIS. Student Visa Holders must be enrolled full-time.
However, under exceptional demonstrable circumstances such as serious medical issues or other situations beyond their control, an international candidate may be given approval to change to part-time attendance.
Please note that if you are a scholarship holder, a change to part-time enrolment will have an impact on your stipend. Please contact your Candidature Management Officer for more information.
Research Progress Reviews will be conducted online. More information will be provided to candidates with an upcoming review. Please contact your Postgraduate Coordinator to discuss the options available.
While restrictions in Australia continue to be eased, we understand that many students are still experiencing significant financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 situation. In response, UNSW has provided some limited additional Emergency Financial Support. This support includes:
Applications for Term 2 Emergency Financial Support have now closed (as of 5pm Monday, 20 July 2020), Students in financial need should contact a student support advisor. Please make an appointment.
Other financial support:
If you’re a student affected by COVID-19 you may be eligible for financial help from Centrelink.
If you already receive a Centrelink student payment, you may also be eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement.
Applications for Term 2 Emergency Financial Support have now closed (as of 5pm Monday, 20 July 2020). Students in financial need should contact a student support advisor. Please make an appointment.
Applications for Term 2 Emergency Financial Support have now closed (as of 5pm Monday, 20 July 2020).
All applications will be assessed once application have closed (5pm Monday, 20 July 2020).
Application outcomes will be released between Wednesday 22 July and Friday 31 July 2020.
No. There is no obligation for you to repay any Emergency Financial Support monies.
You should check if you qualify for any government support that is available to students at this time. You will find information on the Services Australia website.
One-off emergency grants are available for students who have complex needs and are experiencing financial hardship as a result of the COVID-19 situation.
The amount of each grant will be allocated based on the financial need demonstrated in your application.
Referral criteria will be determined on matters such as but not limited to:
If you are deemed eligible to receive an Emergency Support Grant, you will need to provide your bank details and the amount you have been allocated will be deposited into your bank account.
Emergency E-Vouchers are supermarket vouchers up to the value of $200. They are available to any domestic or international student experiencing temporary financial stress to help with day-to-day urgent needs such as groceries. E-vouchers are in limited supply and are limited to a maximum of one per student.
No. Vouchers are available for up to $200 only. If you require further financial support, you will need to contact a Student Support Advisor to determine whether you are eligible for an emergency grant.
Once approved, your Emergency E-Voucher will be sent to you via your UNSW email address.
If you have been approved to receive an E-Voucher, but have not received your E-Voucher, ensure that it has not been sent to your spam inbox.
Should you have any issues redeeming your E-voucher, please contact the Coles Gift Card Support Team on 1300 304 990 between 7am – 11pm Monday to Friday, 7am - 10pm Saturday and 8am to 10pm Sunday AEST or email support@giftcards.coles.com.au.
If you have further questions or require other support you can contact financial.support@unsw.edu.au
While this is an uncertain time for us all, UNSW remains operational and dedicated to providing a world-class education for all our students.
We’ve transitioned all courses to online teaching until further notice and have migrated as many aspects of our campus community as possible into the virtual space.
As a potential applicant or offer holder, this means you can commence your studies with us no matter where you are in the world and then join us on campus again when it is safe to do so.
Take advantage of this time to get a head start on your studies – apply or accept your offer today.
We remain committed to enabling the best possible educational experience the circumstances allow and look forward to welcoming you into our amazing community soon.
For information on our plans to re-open our campus activity visit our Safe Return to Campus page.
HSC exams are still going ahead as confirmed by the NSW Education Standards Authority (NESA). The Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) have also confirmed that the ATAR will be calculated as usual this year. UNSW will proceed continue to admit students on the basis of their ATAR, UNSW provides a range of alternative admission pathways that students should consider if they believe that they may not achieve the ATAR for their dream degree. We will endeavor to continue providing support for students and parents over the coming months and should any changes be made to our admission requirements these will be communicated prior to the admissions period.
We understand many have been affected by the COVID-19 on different levels. In response to this, UAC has announced new Educational Access Scheme (EAS) disadvantage categories. Please visit the UAC website for more information on EAS categories of disadvantage and required documents.
Other adjustment factor schemes, such as HSC Plus, Gateway Scheme and Elite Athlete, Performers and Leaders program (EAPL) are still running so please review these as they may be relevant to you depending on what degree(s) you are applying for.
UNSW will be updating our EAPL Guide in the future to note changes in any changes in the assessment for activities that have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic.
A popular question has been in regard to an inability to complete the Gold Award in the Duke of Edinburgh. It has been approved that we will now be awarding 2 points for students who have completed the Silver Award and are currently taking the Gold Award but have been unable to finish this level due to COVID-19. Additionally, you may also be eligible for these points if you have completed 3 sections (Physical Recreation, Skills and Voluntary Service) of the Gold Award but could not complete the Gold Award in 2020 due to COVID19. In your EAPL application you will need to submit a written statement outlining how COVID-19 has impacted your ability to complete the activities involved the Gold Award and so forth.
