COVID-19 Updates from Top Universities in Australia

November 2020

The scenic environment, economical course structure with the presence of world-acclaimed universities are some of the many reasons that a large number of students decide to study in Australia. Located down under, the country while did witness the wrath of the pandemic, ensured to bring into place, provisions that helped protect the interests of the student.

As a prospective study abroad Australian student, here is the list of COVID-19 updates from top universities in Australia.

University of Sydney

The government recently announced that it will begin granting visas to international students for all locations who currently outside Australia. Thus, when the travel restrictions are lifted students will be able to attend classes in person.
The university is also offering students more time to submit their English Language proficiency results, taking into account the current scenario.
Any online study done due to COVID-19 will be counted towards the Australian study requirements for a post-study work visa as long as students have a valid visa during this study.
In Semester 2, 2020 some classes have returned to in-person delivery for those who can attend classes on campuses.
Students have to practise social distancing and bring their student ID card to access buildings. Access to wipes, sanitizers are provided to students.

University of Melbourne

This university in Australia continues to deliver online teaching, assessment and support services as necessary for students.
Taking into consideration that the COVID-19 has impacted the study, the university has brought in place, measures to aid the same. Minimum 2020 ATARs and International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma scores have recently been introduced for international school-leaver applicants who apply for 2021 entry with an Australian Year 12 qualification or the IB Diploma.
For courses commencing mid-year 2020 and all intakes in 2021, the following revisions apply:
1. Students who had met English language requirements for Semester 1 2020 and deferred to the mid-year 2020 intake will automatically meet them for mid-year intakes in 2020
2. The validity of IELTS, TOEFL and Pearson PTE Academic tests has been temporarily extended to three years
3. The TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition version is temporarily being accepted as equivalent to existing accepted TOEFL tests
4. Tests not listed above or in the existing English Language Requirements, including Duolingo and Versant tests, will not be accepted.

University of New South Wales

All lectures in Term 3 will be online.
Like many universities in Australia, they have transitioned all their courses online and have migrated many aspects of their campus community into the online space.
Many other classes such as tutorials and practicals are being offered face-to-face in Term 3, with online provisions continuing to made for students who are unable to attend or who are apprehensive about returning to campus.
As a potential applicant or offer holder, this means students can commence their studies online and join campus classes again when they are able to do so.
The university encourages students to take advantage of this time to get a head start on their studies.

As Australia education consultants, we at Edwise encourage our students to use this time wisely and get their applications in. If you wish to garner further details about study in Australia, get in touch with our counsellors virtually with our Live Free Virtual Counselling, today.