This article was last updated at 11:23am on 7 September 2020.

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There are a growing number of COVID-19 hotspots in NSW. Before coming to campus, please make sure you are aware of these hotspots and follow the NSW Health advice about self-isolation, testing and what you should do next if you have visited one.



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Information on this page is based on recommendations from the Australian Government and the NSW Department of Health.

Studying at UTS

Spring session began on Monday 27 July and we have essential information for UTS students this session.

Whether you're studying remotely or returning to campus for face-to-face activities in Spring session, a range of support is available to help you, both online and through our on-campus services.

As we return to campus, the health and safety of our students, staff and wider community remains our number one priority. You can find out more about what we're doing to keep campus low-risk in the 'UTS campus and facilities' section below.

If you're feeling unwell, it's important that you stay home and, if appropriate, apply for special consideration. If you're coming to campus, make sure you read our 'Coming to the UTS campus' guide first.

We understand that some students won’t be able to return to campus in Spring session for face-to-face learning. All students who need to continue to study online will be able to do so throughout Spring session.

As the situation continues to evolve, it’s important to stay up to date with the expert advice from NSW Health.

Spring session important dates Formal classes start on Monday 27 July.

The last day to enrol or make changes to subjects is Monday 10 August.

Census date is Tuesday 25 August.

Enrolment for continuing students for 2021 opens Monday 12 October.

Final exam period commences Saturday 31 October and ends Saturday 14 November.

and ends Results will be released Monday 30 November. View all important dates relating to UTS academic calendar. Applications are now open to join UTS as a undergraduate or postgraduate student for our Summer session, which starts in November.

Help with online learning The supporting online learning portal is your go-to for resources to assist you to study successfully from home or another location. It includes: essentials to get you started

support to use Zoom and other collaborative learning tools

links for support with study, accessibility and more

access to health, wellbeing, financial and legal support

tips for using the Library online

support with jobs and careers

help to manage your course

events and fun activities.

Online Learning Centres (OLCs) in China and Vietnam UTS has opened UTS Online Learning Centres for international students in China and will open a centre in Vietnam (19 September). These centres provide a physical learning space and extra support for students enrolled at UTS who are currently studying online in China and Vietnam due to COVID-19 and the associated travel restrictions.

Tuition fees Tuition fees ensure you receive the highest quality of teaching and a rich learning experience at UTS, no matter where you are, which is why your fees in 2020 remain the same. These fees contribute to the design and delivery of subjects for active learning – preparing you for the world of work and future learning. This ensures the enduring value of the UTS qualification you will obtain. Since March, teachers have redesigned subjects, with new materials and active learning opportunities online as well as independent learning, while remaining committed to the university’s high standards of education. UTS continues to invest in your student experience with the expectation that our normal high standards of education will continue. We have also made significant investments to help ensure each student’s educational experience is not interrupted or put on hold so they can reap the benefits of their education as soon as possible. And in a world new to ‘working from home’, UTS is providing you with the skills and experience to demonstrate your online agility to future employers. In addition to high-quality teaching and learning, UTS also provides a wide range of student services, networking opportunities, social events, and learning enhancement programs, which have been made easily accessible through the Supporting Online Study portal. UTS is aware that some students are facing additional challenges and other support is available, including a COVID-19 Student Support package.

Recognition of qualifications The Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) has announced the following information regarding recognition of overseas qualifications:



'The qualification recognition will not be affected if a student switched to online studies mode due to the impact of COVID-19' “受疫情防控影响，留学人员无法按时返校而选择通过在线方式修读部分课程，以及因此导致的其境外停留时间不符合学制要求的情况，不作为影响其获得学位学历认证结果的因素。"



Please check the CSCS website regularly for any updates.

Graduations Graduation ceremonies scheduled for 2020 have been postponed until further notice.



Please visit the graduation website for further details.

Working at UTS

Whether you’re signing in remotely or coming to campus, COVID-19 has changed the way we work – as individuals and as an organisation. Everything you need to know about working at UTS (either on campus or remotely) is available via StaffConnect, which you can bookmark for easy reference.

Information for staff related to our campus reactivation is available at our campus reactivation portal.

For any other work-related matters, please contact HRU on hrcovid19@uts.edu.au or hrclientservices@uts.edu.au.

UTS campus and facilities

Phase two of our campus reactivation began on Monday 27 July, with the start of Spring session. Our main campus buildings are open to the public Monday to Friday, 8am–6pm, with a full list of building hours available here.

Students, staff or visitors who feel unwell shouldn't come to campus. If you have any symptoms of COVID-19, follow NSW Health advice and self-isolate until you can get tested.

UTS is a registered COVID Safe workplace, which means we've lodged a COVID-19 Safety Plan with NSW Health and we're taking appropriate steps to keep our community safe.

Campus buildings and access From the start of Spring session on Monday 27 July we’ve re-opened the doors to a range of spaces and services across campus. . These campus buildings are open with public access from 8am until 6pm. Building 1 (The Tower)

Building 2 (UTS Central)

Building 3 (Bon Marche)

Building 4 (Science)

Building 6 (DAB)

Building 7 (Science)

Building 10 (FASS, Health)

Building 11 (Engineering and IT)

Building 20 (Graduate School of Health)

Moore Park Students and staff will need their UTS ID card for access outside those hours, and for access to other campus buildings including UTS Startups spaces in Buildings 15 and 16. See a full list of UTS building opening hours. Services and facilities open across campus include: the UTS Library and Reading Room are open to students and staff with updated opening hours, although most library services continue to be delivered online.

many cafes, food outlets and other retail outlets across campus, with updated opening hours.

the UTS Medical Service remains open, with consultations by phone preferred.

ActivateFit.Gym, with changed hours.

the Ross Milbourne Sports Hall is open for class, club and social sport bookings.

Taking steps to keep our campus safe If you’re planning on coming to campus, be assured that UTS is taking every step to keep you and our broader community as safe as possible. Here are the strategies we’re using to combat the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19). Cleaning We've upped the frequency of campus cleaning, particularly in public spaces. Our cleaning crew (now wearing high-vis so you can spot them at work) are paying special attention to high-traffic areas such as the UTS Central food court and key touch-points like the lifts. Hand-sanitising stations and disinfectant wipes Hand-sanitising stations are located across campus, and we’re also supplying disinfectant wipes to keep computer labs and lecterns clean. Escalators and lifts To keep UTS escalator handrails free of viruses and bacteria, we’ve installed 26 ultra-violet (UV) lighting units designed to inhibit the growth of micro-organisms. We're using signage to remind lift users to avoid overcrowding and touching others. Floor decals in lift lobbies indicate how to maintain social distance when queuing. UTS Central food court Floor decals around outlets show appropriate space for social distancing while queuing. Tables have also been spaced for social distancing and the seating space is limited to a maximum of 50 people. Air-conditioning UTS air-conditioning systems are also being optimised to increase the ‘fresh air’ intake into buildings, while regular maintenance is helping to keep the interiors of the air-handling plant clean. We’re also progressively upgrading the filters in older air-handling systems for improved performance in stopping the spread of droplets in the air. Hygiene and social distancing signage You’ll notice an increase in signage around campus reminding everyone of our shared responsibility to minimise health risks on campus. This means keeping an appropriate distance (1.5 metres from other people where possible), practising good personal hygiene and – of course – staying home if you’re feeling unwell. Social distancing All members of our community who come to campus are required to follow social distancing measures. This means leaving 1.5 metres of space between you and anyone else wherever possible. Under current government guidelines, university learning activities are ‘essential gatherings’ and are exempt from some social distancing requirements. However, we’ll ensure that learning activities are only held on campus where they are low risk. Where it’s not possible to maintain the full 1.5m distance for a critical activity, we're following a risk-management approach with an assessment of appropriate social distancing for that activity. Any exceptions to the 1.5m rule will be clearly communicated to relevant staff and students - please maintain the 1.5m distance in all other situations.

Campus reactivation UTS has introduced a phased approach to reactivating our campus. Phase 2 - Spring session from July 27 until October 23 From the start of Spring session on July 27, many learning activities returned to campus in face-to-face mode including tutorials, labs, studios and group work activities. Learning activities focused on delivering content, such as lectures, will continue to be delivered online for the foreseeable future. Many subjects across the university have an element of on-campus activity; however, remote-learning options remain available in every subject. Some subjects remain online only. External factors and government advice are being continually updated, which impacts the planning we are doing at UTS. We’ll continue to share information about our reactivation plan as details are confirmed. Our reactivation plans are guided by some key principles: Health and wellbeing of our community – the practice of social distancing, regular and thorough cleaning, and other health measures remain integral to campus life. Following advice and direction of state and federal authorities. Keeping disadvantaged, vulnerable and high-risk groups foremost in our considerations. Consideration of what’s working well for students who are studying remotely, so we can look to leverage the benefits of the new way of learning moving forward.

Restrictions and advice

For the most up-to-date advice from the Australian government, visit the Department of Home Affairs website.

Travel Government travel restrictions Australia has strict border measures in place to protect the health of the Australian community. The latest advice on travel restrictions can be viewed at the Department of Home Affairs website. Domestic travel NSW has temporarily imposed border restrictions with Victoria to contain the spread of COVID-19. Only persons authorised under the public health order may enter NSW. NSW Health has issued public health advice for people who have recently travelled from Victoria. If you have arrived in NSW from Victoria in the past 14 days (since 8 July), the health advice is that you self-isolate for 14 days from the date you left Victoria. Students studying overseas UTS strongly recommends that UTS students studying overseas on exchange immediately make plans to return to Australia. If you choose to return to Australia: advise your host university and your family of your intention to return home contact your travel agent or airline to change your flights update UTS and International SOS of your travel plans. Staff travel All domestic and international UTS work-related travel is now postponed until further notice. Please visit Staff Connect for links to travel advice. If you are trying to return home from overseas, you must do so as soon as possible. Please see International SOS (the world’s leading medical and travel security services company) and Smart Traveller for the latest advice.

Self-isolation If you have been in Victoria, overseas or in contact with a confirmed case of COVID-19, you must self-isolate for 14 days. If you have been tested for COVID-19, you must self-isolate until you receive your test result. Please visit the NSW Health website for further information. UTS Housing students required to self-isolate We have staff on hand to help find isolation accommodation for any of our housing students that meet the Australian Government’s criteria for isolation. Find short-term off-campus options on our website, or email housing.welfare@uts.edu.au.

Visas The Australian Department of Home Affairs page has fact sheets with the latest information on the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19) on student visas.

Health information

For the latest health information about COVID-19, transmission, symptoms, practising good hygiene and social distancing, the latest COVID-19 case locations in NSW and what to do if you have symptoms, please check the NSW Health and Department of Health websites.

Medical assistance Medical costs If you're not eligible for Medicare and don't have adequate insurance coverage, your costs will still be covered if you need to attend a NSW Health facility for COVID-19 assessment. Arrangements have been put in place by NSW Health to ensure payment issues are not a barrier for people from overseas with respiratory symptoms seeking early medical advice. UTS Health Service The UTS Health Service remains available for staff or students who require assistance at this time. Please visit the UTS Health Service website for details of services and hours of operation.

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