You will know that on 1 February 2020, the Australian Government announced travel restrictions from China as a precaution to prevent further spread of the novel coronavirus.

Last week, the Australian Government announced that the travel restrictions have been extended for an additional week (to 22 February 2020) because the health risks had not reduced significantly.

In addition, travellers from China (and people who have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with the novel coronavirus) are required to isolate themselves for 14 days after leaving China.

Concern for welfare

Everyone at UTS Insearch is very worried about the impacts that the novel coronavirus is having on the people of China. We are thinking of everyone affected and we stand in friendship together with them. If you have students seeking welfare support please contact our Student Welfare Team on  StudentCentre@insearch.edu.au

​Optional study plans for impacted new Chinese students

We also understand that you may be worried about students who are starting, or continuing, their studies with us if they can’t travel to Australia.

We will do all that we can to support you and your students so that they can still complete their studies with no or minimal additional financial cost.

1. English Language programs with UTS

Our English Language programs start every 5 weeks and we will be able to work with you to confirm study plans when we know more about when your students can arrive.

For students who are studying English in preparation for UTS Spring (July) intake, we are condensing the 20-week program to keep study plans on track. For students who can’t make the Term 3 start (16 March 2020) we will be offering an additional commencement date of 6 April 2020 to enable students to complete within the expected timeframe. There will be extra support available, but it is important to note: the later students commence, the more compressed and challenging the program will be.

2. English Language programs packaged with UTS Insearch Academic Programs

Students who miss the Term 3 commencement date of 16 March 2020 will need to have their study plan amended.  Please contact the Admissions team for assistance with creating the most suitable deferred study plan.

3. Semester 1 Academic programs

• If students are unable to arrive on time due to the current travel restrictions, they can commence Semester 1 up until 23 March 2020.
• If a 14-day isolation period is required, students may arrive in Australia up until 23 March 2020 for an alternative commencement date of 6 April 2020.  This will be an intensive study plan and we will hold a special welcome and preparation session, as well as extra classes and extended teaching hours for these students.
• Continuing students should enrol online as they can be enrolled in their subjects in CANVAS, our learning management system. Their teachers will communicate with them online - however we know there may be difficulties with access to CANVAS in some home situations.
• Education Agents will need to check Australian immigration and health announcements to ensure students follow these directions.

4. Options to support students in specific academic programs/situations

• Extended Diploma (4 semesters in duration) - New students arriving after 23 March 2020 will be transferred to the Academic English Language program (Academic English 4) commencing on 20 April 2020 continuing onto the Standard Diploma (3 semesters) commencing 22 June 2020.

• Standard Diploma (3 semesters in duration) - New students arriving after 6 April 2020 have two options to consider commencing in Semester 2 (22 June) 2020:
  • Transfer to the Accelerated Diploma (2 semesters), with additional learning support to assist students with a finish date 15 January 2021.
  • Defer their commencement to Semester 2 (22 June 2020) with a finish date 4 June 2021.
    
    Students need to ensure they comply with their student visa conditions (particularly when arriving in Australia prior to commencing their studies). 

• Extended UTS Foundation Studies (3 semesters in duration) - New students arriving after 6 April 2020 have two options to consider commencing in Semester 2 (22 June) 2020:
  • Extended UTS Foundation Studies with an additional semester over the Australian summer holiday 2020-21.  This option has learning support however there is no break available with a finish date of 6 March 2021. 
  • Defer the commencement to Semester 2 with a finish date of 4 June 2021.
    
    Students need to ensure they comply with their student visa conditions (particularly when arriving in Australia prior to commencing their studies).

Continuing students

Continuing students have access to re enrol from the start of Semester 1 through CANVAS and go on with their studies from home.

If they can’t fly to Australia to attend classes in Sydney until 6 April (after isolation) we will be expecting them to have participated and engaged in the first three weeks of classes online. Their teachers will be reaching out to them via CANVAS after re-enrolling.

Final semester students

For students expected to complete their program in Semester 1 2020, we will extend the assessment and examination dates and provide extra support to ensure they can complete their studies on time.

Deferring

Whilst we have tried to accommodate a variety of options for students impacted by the novel coronavirus, some students may be better suited deferring to the next available intake.  The Admissions team will be happy to assist you.

Staying in contact

Please feel free to contact your Partner Manager or myself with any questions or concerns so we can work with you to assist your students.

UTS Insearch also has a web page with frequently asked questions and advice about the coronavirus situation - we will continue to update it as the situation changes.

We sincerely thank you for your assistance during this challenging period and hope that we will soon be able to welcome all your students to the UTS Insearch campus in Sydney.

Kind regards

Eva Choi
Head of Global Recruitment