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OFFER & ACCEPTANCE

Section 1. Understanding Your Offer

This booklet is designed for applicants who have received an offer of admission to the University of Sydney.

> Firm Offer – will allow you admission to the University of Sydney. This booklet provides all the necessary information on accepting your offer and how to proceed with enrolment at the University of Sydney.

> Conditional Offer – outlines the conditions that need to be satisfied before you will be admitted to your course. You must meet these conditions before a Firm Offer letter can be issued. Please note: Acceptance and Payment cannot be processed for a Conditional Offer, you must wait until a Firm Offer has been issued.

> Academic Conditions (e.g. evidence of minimum grade requirement, academic transcripts, etc).
If these conditions apply to your offer, you must submit evidence that you have met the condition/s as soon as possible. The documents you submit must be originals or certified copies of the originals. The University of Sydney’s certification guidelines have been sent to you with your Conditional Offer letter.

> English Conditions (e.g. evidence of English proficiency, certified test results, etc).
If satisfying the University’s English language requirement is a condition of your offer, you must submit original or certified evidence of proficiency in English as soon as possible. The University of Sydney’s English language requirements and certification guidelines have been sent to you with your Conditional
Offer letter, please refer to these documents for more information.
If you undertake the TOEFL exam, the University will only be able to accept an original or certified copy of the ‘Official Score Report’. If you have your TOEFL score sent directly to the University, please quote the University of Sydney’s institution code 0867. An examinee’s report will not be accepted.
Information on ‘How to Apply for a Package Program’ has also seen sent to you with your Conditional Offer letter. The Centre for English Teaching (CET) offers courses in English for Academic Purposes and University entry testing, including the CET University Direct Entry Test. For further information about enrolling in an English Package program, please refer to the CET.

Please note: all documents submitted to the International Office become the property of the University of Sydney and cannot be returned to you.
Once you have satisfied the conditions of your offer, you will be issued a Firm Offer of admission.

1.3 ESOS Framework
The Education Services for Overseas Students (ESOS) Act 2000 was introduced by the Australian Government to ensure that international students studying in Australia on Student Visas are protected by nationally consistent standards and that students and education providers adhere to obligations relating to Student Visa conditions. Further information regarding the ESOS Framework can be located on the [www.studyinaustralia.gov.au/Sia/en/WhatToStudy/Vocation/ESOSFramework_pdf.pdf||Study Australia web site]]

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Section 2. Accepting Your Firm Offer

Read more on how to Accept a Firm Offer from the University of Sydney as an International Undergraduate Student.

Read more on how to Accept a Firm Offer from the University of Sydney as an International Postgraduate Student.


Includes issues such as:

  • Acceptance Deadlines
  • Payment of Fees
  • Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC)
  • Methods of Payment
  • Loan Schemes for International Students
  • Refund Policy
  • Health and Criminal Record Checks
  • Academic Credit
  • Governing Law
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Section 3. Deferring Your Offer

You may apply to defer your offer for up to one year from the commencement date on your letter of offer. If your offer letter shows two commencement dates, you may defer for up to one year from the earlier of the two commencement dates. Please complete the ‘Request to Defer’ form at the end of this booklet if you wish to apply to defer.

If your student visa has already been granted and you choose to defer your studies, your visa may be cancelled and you will need to apply for a new visa for your revised commencement date.
However, if you need to defer your commencement as a result medical or compelling compassionate circumstances, you may be permitted to retain your student visa. Your application will need to be assessed by the university to determine if your circumstances meet the relevant criteria and you will need to supply supporting documentation. If you believe that you qualify to defer your studies for medical or compelling compassionate circumstances, please contact:

If you wish to defer commencement of your studies for more than one year, you will need to re-apply for admission to your course. Your application will then be re-assessed for entry in your proposed new semester/year of study.

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Section 4. Australian Student Visa Information

Once the International Office has received your Acceptance of Offer and payment (and Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) and/or Guardianship Authorisation if required [see section 4.2 “Pre-Visa Assessment” and/or section 4.12 “Students Who Are Under 18”]), an electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE) will be sent to the Australian High Commission, Consulate, Embassy or Diplomatic Post nominated on your Acceptance of Offer. A copy will also be sent to you or your agent to include with your Australian Student Visa application.

A range of conditions may affect how you apply for an Australian Student Visa. Many students will be able to apply for their Australian Student Visa on-line, others will be required to submit a paper application. Medical examinations may also be required.
Please note that if you do not have an appropriate visa you cannot enrol at the University of Sydney.

Please consult the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) for further information: All Student Visas have mandatory and discretionary visa conditions attached to them. For a complete list of the visa mandatory visa conditions which are attached to all Student Visas please check the DIAC website

Some students, depending on country of citizenship, may be required to apply for a Pre-Visa Assessment (PVA) prior to
accepting a Firm Offer. A PVA should be sought immediately as it can take 6 weeks or longer to obtain. Please contact the nearest Australian High Commission or Consulate for details or visit the DIAC website

The PVA approval letter should be forwarded (by mail or fax) to the International Office with your Acceptance of Offer and payment.

Education providers are required to ensure that students who hold a Student Visa complete their studies within the duration
specified on their electronic Confirmation of Enrolment (eCoE).
Extensions to your course duration can only be allowed in limited circumstances. The allowable circumstances are for compassionate or compelling circumstances, where an intervention strategy has been implemented or where there has been an approved leave of absence or suspension.

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International students who hold Student Visas may undertake no more than 25% of their total course by distance and/or online
learning. If you hold a Student Visa you must not enrol exclusively in distance or online study in any compulsory study period.

If you are in Australia on a Student Visa you must maintain satisfactory progress at all times. The University is obliged to advise DIAC when an International Student Visa holder is not maintaining satisfactory academic progress. This may result in an automatic visa cancellation. If you experience any difficulties with your studies, you should contact your faculty immediately. The International Office website also has comprehensive information on support services available to International Students:

If you are not sure where to turn to for help, you can contact the International Student Advisers: .

It is a mandatory condition of all Student Visas that students notify the University of their residential address within 7 days of arriving in Australia. Once you commence your course, you must notify the University of any changes to your residential address within 7 days of changing address.

If you have school-age dependents who will be joining you for more than 3 months in Australia on a student dependent visa, you must arrange and maintain adequate schooling arrangements.

Further information relating to adequate schooling arrangements can be located from the International Student Support Unit (ISSU), publication Your Road to Success which can be accessed on the ISSU’s website.

If you wish to work part-time while studying, you must apply for a work permit after you have arrived in Australia and have finalized your enrolment at the University. You will be required to sign a request form in person at the International Office. DIAC charges a fee for the issue of the work permit.

While on an Australian Student Visa, you can work no more than 20 hours per week during semester, however you may work fulltime during the official University vacations. Please note: DIAC strictly enforces this rule.

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Students who have been granted a visa and who have experienced medical or compelling compassionate circumstances may be permitted to defer the commencement of their course or take a faculty approved break from study and retain their Student Visa.

If you believe that you qualify to defer or suspend your studies for medical or compelling compassionate circumstances, please contact: . Students who wish to defer the commencement of their studies for any other reason should follow the instructions in Section 3. Deferring Your Offer.

If you currently hold an Australian Student Visa and you are required to extend the duration of stay, please submit your application for a new visa to the Australian High Commission, Consulate, Embassy or Diplomatic Post that you nominated on your Acceptance of Offer. Please note that you may be required to undertake another medical examination and/or submit further documentation.

More information about Australian Student Visas can be obtained from the DIAC website.

If you are granted permanent residency, you should inform the International Office immediately as this may significantly affect your status at the University of Sydney. Please refer to the Refund Policy at Section 2.7 of this booklet.

If you will be under 18 years of age when you arrive in Australia, you will need to demonstrate that you are being cared for by a parent or a suitable nominated relative before DIAC will grant you a visa. For further information, please refer to the DIAC website:
www.immi.gov.au/students/students/chooser/index.htm
Information on applying for a Student Guardian Visa is available on the DIAC website.

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Section 5. Arrival in Australia

Prior to your departure for Australia, you should read the pre-departure information.

You must attend a Daily Arrival Information Session as soon as you arrive in Sydney. The Daily Arrival Information Sessions provide information on:
> health cover
> on-campus services
> security
> concessions and discounts
> tax information
> banking
> transport
> how to enrol
For more information, please visit the pre-departure information.

Temporary Accomodation
Prior to your arrival, you can book temporary accommodation either on or off-campus.
Temporary Accommodation

Long-term Accommodation
Some students live in residential colleges/halls of residence located on or near one of the University campuses. These places are limited and the majority of students live off-campus. Residential areas with ample share and rental accommodation surround the campuses. For more information, please visit:
www.usyd.edu.au/issu/accommodation or
www.usy.edu.au/stuserv/issu/predep.shtml#temp

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The International Orientation Program includes a range of activities:
information sessions, faculty-specific orientation activities, guided campus tours, library tours and social activities.

Attendance at the International Orientation Program will prepare you for your time here at the University of Sydney.
For orientation dates and further information please visit:
www.usyd.edu.au/issu/orientation or
www.swot.usyd.edu.au

International Student Support Unit (ISSU)
The International Student Support Unit (ISSU) provides an integrated counselling and welfare service for international students.

It is also a resource centre for students and their families. ISSU staff can assist you with any personal difficulties you may experience while you are living and studying in Australia.

Disability Services
If you have a disability which requires note-taking, exam modifications, alternative formats or assistance with physical access, please contact the Disability Services Office on:

Telephone: +61 2 9351 7040
Facsimile: +61 2 9351 3320
TTY: +61 2 9351 3412 (for the deaf)
E-mail:
E-mail:

Students are advised to contact Disability Services at least four weeks prior to the commencement of semester so that they can advise you of the services the University can provide. It is important for the University to know what support services you require so that Disability Services can inform you of your eligibility.
Support services available in Australia may differ from those offered in your home country.

To assist you in making a decision to accept this offer it is important that you are aware of the services available at this University.

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Section 6. Enrolment Information

Enrolment is the formal process of registering with your Faculty and choosing your units of study/subjects. Enrolment is compulsory and late enrolments will only be allowed with faculty permission. Please contact your Faculty directly if you are unable to attend your scheduled enrolment date.

Enrolment dates are available here

Please Note: You will need to bring your passport with you to enrolment in order to obtain your Student ID card.

Some courses have specific assumed knowledge requirements.

It is recommended that you consult the relevant Faculty website for the assumed knowledge requirements that may be applicable to your course. [see section 7.2 “Faculty Contacts”].

Students who have not completed the assumed knowledge subjects are advised to undertake an appropriate bridging program in the relevant subject area before commencing the course. The University offers fee-paying bridging programs in the following subject areas:

> Biology and Physics
> Chemistry
> Mathematics at the Mathematics Learning Centre

Click here for further information about the bridging programs.

If at some stage during your academic career you wish to apply to transfer or upgrade from your current course, please apply directly to the appropriate faculty. Upgrades and transfers are not automatic, nor are they are guaranteed.

For detailed information about facilities and services available in your faculty and the requirements of your course, refer to your faculty handbook.

6.4 Library Facilities

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Section 7. Contact Details

International Office
Level 4, Jane Foss Russell Building (G02)
The University of Sydney
NSW 2006, Australia
Tel: +61 2 8627 8300
Fax: +61 2 8627 8387
Email:
Web: www.usyd.edu.au
Camperdown and Darlington campuses

Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources
www.agric.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown, Cobbitty and Narrabri campuses

Architecture, Design and Planning
www.arch.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Darlington campuses

Arts
www.arts.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Darlington campuses

Dentistry
www.dentistry.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Surry Hills campus

Economics and Business
www.econ.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Darlington, and Burren Street campuses

Education and Social Work
www.edsw.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Darlington campuses

Engineering and Information Technologies
www.eng.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Darlington campuses

Health Sciences
www.fhs.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Cumberland campus

Law
www.law.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
St James campus

Medicine
www.medfac.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Darlington campuses

Music
www.music.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Sydney Conservatorium of Music

Nursing and Midwifery
www.nursing.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Mallet Street campus

Pharmacy
www.pharm.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Darlington campuses

Science
www.science.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Darlington campuses

Veterinary Science
www.vetsci.usyd.edu.au
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Camperdown and Camden campuses

Visual Arts
www.usyd.edu.au/sca
Undergraduate:
Postgraduate:
Rozelle campus

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Section 8. University Maps and Forms

University Maps (PDF)

Forms

Click here to download both the Acceptance of Offer-Credit Card Payment Submission and the Request to Defer FORMS

Please do not use the credit card form if you will be using our online payment facility.

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