Due to the global COVID-19 situation, UTS Insearch has moved all our programs to remote learning for the time being, as have many of our international education partners and our international campus in Sri Lanka.
In Sydney, we won’t have face-to-face teaching on campus for a while. Our English Language programs, UTS Foundation and diploma programs are being delivered remotely via UTSOnline, Zoom, Canvas and other collaborative tools.
Semester 2 / Terms 4 & 5 English
We are using remote learning for Terms 4 and 5 for English Language, and Semester 2 for our Academic programs (UTS Foundation Studies and diplomas).
Semester 3 / Future English Terms
We are closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation and ongoing travel restrictions. We’ll communicate more about the mode of learning we’ll be using close to those dates. Our commitment remains that we are offering high quality education and learning options for students to ensure they stay on track to get to UTS.<
Remote learning overview
Remote learning means that students participate in interactive classes through learning management systems and video communication tools such as Zoom and Arc (used in Canvas). Students also participate in collaborative English discussions with their teacher and classmates using UTSOnline, and in Canvas for Academic programs. Some classes may also be recorded and may be available to down load and review after class, helping students to recap what they have learnt.
Benefits of remote learning at UTS Insearch
Our remote learning offering offers the same learning outcomes and quality as our face-to-face programs. We are using highly qualified and experienced teachers, world-leading learning technologies, and specialist staff in student support services and IT to ensure students are well supported in their studies.
Some key reasons to promote remote learning at UTS Insearch:
- students stay on track for UTS
- guaranteed pathways
- high quality teachers
- small tutorial and workshop class size
- interactive and engaging classes
- individual attention and immediate personalised feedback
- classes taught in real time
- extra student support services
- strong technical support – we have experienced and friendly IT experts to support our students
No shortened English program
As all our programs are available as remote learning, we are no longer offering a previously advertised English study plan of 16 weeks (rather than 20 weeks) of intensive English to meet the UTS August intake. UTS Insearch’s Admissions Team will contact students to confirm any new study plans align with the UTS intakes.
Visas not required until ready to travel
We have new advice from The Department of Home Affairs that students will no longer need a student visa if they are offshore to study by remote learning. They should apply for a visa once the travel restrictions have been lifted and they intend to travel to Australia to complete their courses. Offshore students who are required to complete a high stakes English test for visa application purposes will still need to meet immigration requirements.
Extra support for students adjusting to remote learning
Extra support activities are in place to assist students through the transition from face-to-face classes to remote learning including technical assistance, independent learning centres moving online and many of our Study Success Advisers checking in on students daily.
We have a large and friendly support team available to help students throughout their studies so please encourage your students to reach out if they have any difficulties or challenges. For contact details visit the student support section on our remote learning webpage
This section also includes information on:
- simple steps to log in
- FAQs
- technical support contacts
- Study Success support
- contact details for welfare and accommodation
- social apps for students to network
Any UTS Insearch student in financial hardship because of the impact of COVID-19 can contact us at welfare@insearch.edu.au and let us know details of the situation so we can assist on a case-by-case basis.
English placement tests
We need to assess students’ English levels to ensure they are placed in the correct classes (level). With many testing centres temporarily closed around the world and VEPT testing not currently available at the Sydney campus, we are offering the following options:
Please note:
- If a student was advised on an estimated AE level due to jagged IELTS test result (a significant variation in the component scores) and needs to be tested on arrival, the options are:
- take the TOEFL online test (if available)
- join the lower English level indicated by the result (where a lower level is available)
- or deferral.
- Offshore students must complete a high stakes English test for visa application purposes and must meet immigration requirements when applying for a visa
- Students with low IELTS or equivalent test results requiring a large amount of English must defer to a later intake
Academic program update
- Predicted results: If students have predicted academic results due to exams not being held, the Admissions team will assess (based on what is provided) and enable students to accept offers during this time based on predicted results. Any progress reports and transcripts, where students have them, should be submitted to the admissions team to be included as part of the assessment. The more academic results included in the application, the better we are able to assess and where possible make an offer to a student.
- Permitted overlaps: overlaps with Academic English and Academic programs are permitted when a student attends the compulsory Preparation Week activities from Wednesday (after exams on the Monday and Tuesday) the English results are not released until the Thursday. This only applies to students who will be studying the required English level in Term 5 or Term 8 2020 for entry into Academic programs starting in June or October 2020 respectively.
- Unstoppable Scholarship offered in Semester 1 will be applied to the deferred offer in Semester 2.
For more information join our upcoming counsellor training webinars:
Remote Learning – Academic English
Presented by Jason West, Director of Studies
Wednesday 29 April 10am – 10.45am AEST
Learn the benefits and how we are successfully delivering Academic English remotely. Jason will answer all your questions and any new changes to the curriculum. This webinar will conclude with a Q&A session hosted by Jason related to our AE remote learning. Register here
Remote Learning – Academic programs
Presented by Sally Payne, Associate Dean of Studies
Wednesday 6 May 10am - 10.45am AEST
Recorded sessions and small classes including strong technical support are some ways we are ensuring our students stay on track and get to UTS. Hear student stories on the support and individual attention we offer. Sally will conclude with a Q&A session related to our remote learning Academic programs. Register here
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