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How you will learn

UTS College has a specialised curriculum that focuses on collaboration and teamwork. That means you will often work with a group to complete projects and assessments.

Our graduates say that they value UTS College as we:

  • have an accessible teaching style
  • encourage critical thinking
  • build up your collaboration skills.
 

Our English language programs will help you to develop your academic writing skills for university and if you come from an education system outside of Australia, UTS College will help you with this transition and prepare you for university.

Remote learning

All UTS College programs are being delivered remotely via Canvas, UTSOnline and Zoom until further notice. It’s important that you check your UTS email before every class so you don’t miss any important information. 

To help you transition, we’ve put together step-by-step instructions. Please see the following guides:

 

To make the most of your remote learning experience, please read our Remote Learning Guide. Please also take a look at our remote learning support workshops and remote one-on-one learning support.

FAQs

How will assessments be completed?

Where possible, assessments will be completed online using Canvas. If an assessment can’t be performed online, you will be contacted by your teacher or subject coordinator with an alternative.

How will teachers demonstrate and provide feedback on design and architecture projects?

Teachers are able to demonstrate on Zoom via their webcam and / or screen-share what you need to do and can also provide live and instant feedback. Assessments that require modelmaking can be graded and critiqued through Zoom via a webcam. This allows a learning experience that’s similar to a classroom setting.

I don’t have the internet at home, how I can continue my program?

Our campus will remain open so you can use the WiFi in the student lounges or the PCs on level 6 of the Blue Building. You are strongly encouraged to practice good hand hygiene and practice social distancing as per NSW Health’s advice.

I have never participated in a remote program. How can I be successful?

The best way to be successful in a remote class is to stay connected with your teachers and classmates, and follow your typical routine, as you normally would with your on-campus classes.

Will remote delivery work if I am outside of Australia?

We are teaching from Australia and will be running remote classes following your timetable and on Sydney time. We appreciate technology can sometimes vary and our systems have been optimised for Australia.

You’ll need to make sure you have:

  • A laptop, tablet or computer with a web camera (at least a 720p)
  • A mobile phone with a camera for exams
  • Access to stable and fast internet/WiFi (at least 1.5 MB/sec), not using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
  • Access to Canvas, Zoom, Ring Central, Teams and other online learning tools used in your subjects.
  • A quiet area so you can study
 

Will my attendance be marked?

Yes, your attendance will be tracked through Canvas and other online collaborative tools.

Support for remote learning

How do I access my program materials remotely?
You will continue to use Canvas to access your program material.

Where can I find help to learn Canvas and Zoom?

For help using canvas, visit the Study Success Course. You can also access 24/7 Canvas support via chat - click on the "Help" button in the left-hand menu from anywhere in Canvas.

What additional study support will be available?

Your teachers and subject coordinators are available to support you.

You can also continue to get support from our Study Success Advisers.

You can make an appointment online or send an email to:
AdvisersDiploma@insearch.edu.au for diploma students

AdvisersFoundation@insearch.edu.au for foundation students

What happens if I need IT support?

For support with Canvas, use the Report a problem option on the Canvas Help menu. If you’re in Australia, you can also call 1800 955 260.

Fees and Visas

Will studying online affect my visa conditions?

No. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency has temporarily changed visa conditions to allow students to undertake online study as a result of Australia’s enhanced border measures. Please visit their website for further information.

With all this disruption, what happens if I fail, do I have to pay to repeat subjects?  

Any student who fail subjects in Semester 1 will not receive an academic or financial penalty. That means they can repeat them without a financial charge.

Will my classes be remote for the whole term or will there be face-to-face as well?

All English classes will be delivered remotely via UTSOnline, Zoom and other collaborative online tools for Terms 5, 6 and 7. There will be no face-to-face teaching on campus until further notice.

What does remote learning mean?
Remote learning means that you will participate in interactive classes through Zoom. You will also participate in collaborative discussions with your teacher and classmates using UTSOnline other educational applications. Some classes may also record their lessons and make them available for download.

Will I still learn the same material studying remotely?

The recent pandemic is a unique situation for all Australian universities. Our priority is to ensure you have a great educational experience despite not being physically on campus.

Will lessons be recorded and made available?

It is up to each teacher to decide whether your lecture will be recorded so it is important you attend classes as scheduled in your timetable via Zoom.

Will my timetable change?<

No, remote classes will occur at the same time as timetabled in Sydney-time.

My program has an exam, will this go ahead?

In-person exams will be deferred until further notice. All exams will be performed online.

How will assessments be completed?

Where possible, assessments will be completed online using UTSOnline. In the event an assessment can’t be performed online, you will be contacted by your teacher with an alternative.

I don’t have the internet at home, how I can continue my program?

Our campus will remain open so you can use the WiFi in the student lounges or the PCs on level 6 of the Blue Building. When on campus you are strongly encouraged to practice good hand hygiene and practice social distancing as per NSW Health’s advice.<

I have never participated in a program remotely. How can I be successful?

The best way to be successful in an remote class is to stay connected with your teachers and classmates, and follow your typical routine, as you normally would with your on-campus classes.

If I am studying online, can I do it from my home country?

We are teaching from Australia and will be running remote classes following your timetable and on Sydney time. We appreciate technology can sometimes vary and our systems have been optimised for Australia.

You’ll need to make sure you have:

  • A laptop, tablet or computer with a web camera (at least a 720p)
  • A mobile phone with a camera for exams
  • Access to stable and fast internet/WiFi (at least 1.5 MB/sec), not using a Virtual Private Network (VPN)
  • Access to Canvas, Zoom, Ring Central, Teams and other online learning tools used in your subjects.
  • A quiet area so you can study
 

Will my attendance be marked?

Yes, your attendance will be tracked through UTSOnline and other online collaborative tools.

Support for remote learning

How do I access my English program materials online?

You will need to log in to UTSOnline to access learning material for your Academic English (AE) program. You can also continue to use your AE program book.

Where can I find help to learn UTSOnline and Zoom?

To learn about UTSOnline, go to logging on to UTSOnline and getting around

What additional study support will be available?   

Your teachers and level coordinators are available to support you.

You can also continue to get support from our Study Success Advisers. You can make an appointment online or send an email to advisersEnglishLanguage@insearch.edu.au

What happens if I need IT support?

For support with UTSOnline, see here.

Visas and Fees

Will students have to pay to repeat subjects that have failed?

AE students who are new to remote learning will be eligible to repeat without financial charge if you achieve a satisfactory attendance of >80% in Term 4.

Will studying online affect my visa conditions?

No. The Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency has temporarily changed visa conditions to allow students to undertake online study as a result of Australia’s enhanced border measures. Please visit their website for further information.


For further information, please visit our Remote Learning page.

Digital tools you will need

In order to set you up for success with remote learning we have put together a check list of the digital tools you will need to conduct your classes smoothly.

Group work

We aim to prepare you for the realities of the Australian educational system and workplace. Beyond studying with UTS College and UTS, the ability to interact and communicate is a vital career and life skill.

Our specialised curriculum focuses on collaboration and teamwork. That means you’ll often work with a group to complete projects and assessments. But it can be challenging, particularly if you've never worked in a group before. With that in mind, here are some helpful tips to set you up for success with group work projects.

Canvas Learning Management System

Canvas is Learning Management System for UTS Foundation Studies and Diploma programs at UTS College. Canvas is where you’ll find all your subject materials including assessments and announcements. It is also the place where you will submit assessments, complete group work, receive grades, feedback and communicate with your teachers outside of class.

Canvas will send you notifications by email or text to you for anything relating to your program including when:

  • an assignment is due
  • you have received a grade and feedback from your teacher
  • your teacher has made an announcement somebody has responded to 
  • your discussion post.
 

You can login to Canvas (using these step-by-step instructions) by going to canvas.insearch.edu.au and entering your UTS email address and password. You can also access Canvas through the Canvas student app on your mobile device.

The Canvas student app

The Canvas student app allows you to access to your subject material at any time, from anywhere. You can download the Canvas Student app on your Android or iOS device.

  1. Once downloaded, open the app.
  2. From the landing page, tap the Find my school button and type UTS College - Student.
  3. When the full name displays in the search list, tap UTS College.
  4. On the login page, enter your UTS email address and password, and tap Sign in.
  5. You will now see the Canvas dashboard which will help you see what is happening in all your current subjects.
 

For further instructions on how to use the Canvas student app, go to:

 

By default, Canvas notifications will be sent to your UTS email address. Canvas also uses push notifications to send pop-up messages to your mobile device. It is important you set up push notifications because teachers will use Canvas to communicate with you.

For instructions on how to set up contact methods and push notifications, go to:

 

Note, standard and international text message rates may apply.

Help with Canvas

You can get help with Canvas at any time by using the Help menu in Canvas or on the app. There are seven help or feedback options available to you.

To report a problem with Canvas, select the Report a problem option from the Help menu and submit a ticket to the Canvas support team.

If your password has expired or you cannot remember it, contact the UTS IT Support team, logon to the UTS College ITDS Service Desk Portal during the following times:

  • Monday to Friday (8am - 8pm)
  • Saturday (9am - 2pm).
 

You can also call the ITDS Service Desk on (+61 2) 9218 7000.

Note, the Help menu is located in different areas depending on how you’re accessing Canvas.

Academic integrity

While studying at UTS College you are expected to maintain high standards of academic honesty and integrity.
 

You will be penalised if you:

  • copy another student’s work
  • mislead a lecturer or tutor about your knowledge, ability or the amount of original work you have done, or
  • assist other students to do so.
 

There are five levels of penalties:

  1. Reprimand
  2. Reduction in marks
  3. Fail grade for the assessment event
  4. Fail grade for the subject
  5. Exclusion from UTS College.
 

If you are penalised, you:

  • can appeal in writing to the Dean of Studies
  • then lodge it with the Student Centre within 7 days of the date you are notified of the decision
  • must demonstrate that there were procedural or factual errors in the decision made.
 

For further information, see the Academic Integrity Policy.

Non-Academic Misconduct

You are also expected to respect other students, staff and property so that learning and teaching can take place freely, safely and without misconduct.

Non-academic misconduct includes:

  • breaking UTS College’s rules, policies and procedures
  • breaches of confidentiality and privacy
  • discrimination
  • submission of fraudulent documentation
  • intimidation or assault on another student or staff member at UTS College.
 

For further information, see the Non-Academic Misconduct Policy and the Non-Academic Misconduct Procedure.

Support available

We offer free weekly one-on-one learning support sessions, which will help you to prepare for your assessments and exams. The Learning Centre runs a number of activities such as English language speaking groups, short film discussion groups, learning assistance sessions and teaching support.

Log onto Canvas to see information on Study Success: Help, including:

  • What we can help with
  • Learning support
  • Medical and legal help
  • Canvas overview for students
  • Canvas student guide. 
 

Canvas also has links to Study Success: Resources, including:

  • Academic honesty
  • HeadsUp – an introduction to everything you need to be successful at university.
  • Academic writing
  • Critical thinking skills
  • Harvard UTS Referencing Guide
  • Paraphrasing
  • Avoiding plagiarism
  • Insearch student charter.
 

You can get also assistance from the Study Success Advisers.