Students and parents - COVID-19 advice

More information about Semester 1, 2021 is available on the Preparing for Semester 1 website and my.UQ. If after reading this information you are concerned about your course availability in Semester 1, 2021 and any potential impacts this may have to your program of study, please contact your Faculty for further advice or assistance with identifying alternative courses.

Visit the Programs and Courses website for more information about study modes and course availability in Semester 1, 2021. The Electronic Course Profile (ECP) for each course will provide specific details about any required practical components such as laboratory work.

If after reading this information you are concerned about your course availability in Semester 1, 2021 and any potential impacts this may have to your program of study, please contact your Faculty or Student Services for further advice or assistance with identifying alternative courses.

At this time UQ is continuing to support our students to progress with their studies and placement activities (including credit bearing field trips) where possible.

The health and safety of our students and the staff of our partner organisations is of paramount importance, therefore placements can continue where it is safe to do so and where organisations are able to continue to facilitate this engagement.

UQ does not have travel insurance coverage for any claims relating to COVID-19 for domestic travel that has been booked after 4pm (AEDT) on 2 March 2020. Travel insurance cover will still apply for claims with different causes (subject to full policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations).  UQ’s public liability and professional insurances will also continue to apply. For more information on travel and insurance refer to UQ Travel FAQs.

Please contact your Faculty or School for further advice regarding the status of your placements.

UQ will make every effort to teach and assess as outlined in the relevant Electronic Course Profile. However, the ongoing impacts of COVID-19, including changes to Government health restrictions that may be implemented during the Semester, could result in changes to teaching and assessment. We continue to strive to ensure the learning activities for courses remain accessible to students as far as is practicable, so that the learning objectives can be met. For further information and ongoing updates refer to https://about.uq.edu.au/coronavirus/students.

For students who are due to graduate in December, your award will still be conferred and your official documents forwarded to you. We hope to be able to proceed with formal Graduation Ceremonies in early 2021 providing you and your family an opportunity to celebrate your achievements.

You can request to defer your studies to a future semester.

If you are an international student, you can request to defer your studies to a future semester by emailing iasdeferral@uq.edu.au. Please include your student number in the subject line.

If you are a domestic student and have decided to defer your Semester 1, 2021 QTAC offer, please respond to your offer through QTAC by the specified due date and indicate your intention to defer. UQ Admissions will contact you to provide updated advice for your 2021 admission.

You can usually defer your studies up to a maximum of two semesters from your original commencement semester. If you are considering deferring for more than two semesters, please contact the International Admissions team via email at iasdeferrals@uq.edu.au who will assess your circumstances.

You also need to check that your program will be offered in the semester you wish to defer to. You can read more about deferrals online here.

You only require a Student Visa when you intend to enter Australia.

Once Australia’s international border restrictions are lifted and normal modes of delivery can be resumed, as an international student studying offshore you will be required to travel to Australia on a Student Visa as soon as you are able. This means that you will need to apply for a Student Visa using your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) issued by the University. You only require a Student Visa when you intend to enter Australia. For the latest information on applying for a Student Visa, please refer to the Department of Home Affairs.

If you are a student who has commenced, or is due to commence, study online from outside Australia but are unable to travel to Australia when the borders open because your Student Visa application is not approved, you will be able to continue with your studies online temporarily where your program of study continues to be offered in an external (online) mode of delivery.

If you are a student who has commenced your study online and who subsequently wishes to apply to withdraw from enrolment due to refusal of a Student Visa, please refer to Section 2.1, PPL 3.40.03 Student Refunds Policy.

For current information on Student visas, including the latest advice on Temporary Graduate visas, please refer to the Department of Home Affairs. 

Yes, you will still be issued with a Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) even though you are studying online from your home country.

UQ is committed to supporting our students' progress with their studies and placement activities.  

As such, placements can continue where it is safe to do so and where the organisation is able to continue to facilitate the placement engagement. All existing UQ insurances will continue to apply where the claim is not related to COVID-19.

As this situation is continually evolving, we recommend the use of online collaborative tools such as Zoom or Skype if on-site work is not possible.  Please make sure that you notify your Placement Coordinator if you need to engage in any placement activity from your home.

UQ’s public liability and professional insurances will also continue to apply. For more information on travel and insurance refer to UQ Travel FAQs.

Should you need to change your placement arrangements, or if you have any questions related to a student placement, please contact your School Placement Coordinator.

International students affected by COVID-19 border restrictions who study in External mode in Semester 1, 2021, can reduce the number of courses they enrol in.

However, UQ recommends students consider this carefully, as it may not be recommended. Pre-requisite courses may not be offered in subsequent semesters, which could leave students unable to complete their studies within the program's approved duration as given in your Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE). International students who are unable to complete their degree on time will be required to apply for a CoE extension and a further student visa. 

UQ recommends that students consult with their Faculty or School before making course choices. This will ensure that your study plan can accommodate the reduction in courses, and allows you and your academic supervisors to consider the impact on your visa.

More information about international student visa requirements is on the Department of Home Affairs website.

You can start your study with UQ online in Semester 1 if your preferred courses are available in External mode. Once the Government travel restrictions are lifted, you can travel to Australia to continue your studies. You will need a valid Student Visa to enter Australia.

If travel restrictions prevent you from travelling to Australia to commence your studies in Semester 1 and you do not want to study online, you can request to defer you studies to a future semester.

If you choose not to defer and cannot travel to Australia due to travel restrictions, UQ will provide you with a full refund of your deposit paid if you withdraw from UQ by 31st March, 2021.

Incoming Exchange has been cancelled for 2021. If you have already applied, we will withdraw your application. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to apply for a future semester. Please consult with your home university regarding your options as you may need to be re-nominated.

If you choose to participate in a global experience independent of UQ, you would be considered a free mover student.  

As a free-mover student, you are not supported by The University of Queensland by any means (including funding, insurance, credit pre-approvals etc.) and are choosing to participate in a global experience without any assistance from UQ. Additionally, as a free mover, you are not eligible to defer the tuitions fees to Australian Government FEE-HELP / HECS.  

Upon return from the experience, you may be eligible to apply for credit and will need to consult with your School or Faculty regarding this process. Credit transfer for free movers is high risk and is not guaranteed. International students returning to study in their home country should be aware that they may not be eligible to receive any credit for their studies, as credit is granted at the discretion of the Faculty. 

The Global Experiences Team will be supporting a number of virtual study Short Term Global Experiences. More information is available on the Short-term Global Experiences website. 

Several virtual internship opportunities are also available through the Student Employability Centre.  

When you accept your offer for Semester 1, 2021 you will be invoiced for Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) together with your deposit. If you do not wish to arrange your OSHC at the time of accepting your offer, you need to notify us and we will issue you with a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) that includes a reminder that you are fully responsible for organising OSHC for the length of your student visa.

The UQ COVID-19 Offshore Online Study Tuition Fee Rebate is a 12.5% rebate on the tuition fees payable for Semester 2, 2020, Summer Semester 2020 and Semester 1, 2021 by full fee paying international coursework students who are unable to come to Australia due to the Australian government border controls.

The UQ COVID-19 Offshore Online Study Tuition Fee Rebate is available to all international coursework students enrolled in Semester 2, 2020, Summer Semester 2020 or Semester 1, 2021 who:

• are prevented from travelling to Australia due to the Australian Government border controls; and
• will be studying at UQ online only from their home country; and
• are full fee paying international students undertaking an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework degree; and
• are not already receiving a higher reduction in their fees through a scholarship, sponsorship, bursary or partner arrangement.

If you have been issued a student visa, we will be able to verify your location using the Australian Government Visa Entitlement Verification Online (VEVO) system. However, if you have not been issued a student visa, we may need additional information from you.

Your eligibility will be assessed using the information we have available from the Department of Home Affairs at that time, and the rebate will be applied to your account provisionally. Once you enrol in courses, and your fees are calculated, the rebate will be calculated and can be seen on your Financial home page in mySi-net as a “Waived International Tuition’ amount. The Rebate will not be evenly distributed across the courses you have enrolled in, instead the full rebate may be applied against the fees for just one course.

Your eligibility for the Rebate will be re-assessed after the fees due date based on the most current data.

If you believe you meet the eligibility requirements and the rebate has not been applied to your student account, please contact Student Fees and Scholarships immediately to outline your circumstances. You may be asked to provide further information to assess your eligibility.

If you believe you are eligible for the Rebate but it has not been applied to your account, please contact us by email fees@uq.edu.au.

Students who are studying from outside Australia for part of the Semester will need to provide details of their circumstances and will be assessed for eligibility for the Rebate on a case by case basis.

No. The UQ COVID-19 Offshore Online Study Tuition Fee Rebate is only available for full tuition fee paying international students enrolled in an undergraduate or postgraduate coursework program at UQ.

Yes, if you are eligible for the Rebate, it will be applied to your fees for each eligible semester or teaching period, regardless of the number of courses you enrol in.

If your fees have already been reduced by more than 12.5% through a UQ scholarship, articulation, partner or sponsor arrangement, you will not receive the Rebate. However, if your fees are reduced by less than 12.5% through a UQ scholarship, articulation, partner or sponsor arrangement, you will receive the Rebate instead of the existing reduction.

Yes, you will still pay the same deposit.

External students pay a maximum of $57 in 2020 or $58 in 2021 per half-year period, whether full-time or part-time. To qualify as "external", you must only be enrolled in external courses.

If you are undertaking a UQ Abroad exchange semester, any course enrolment in addition to your EXCH courses must also be external.

If you enrol in an internal course or a flexible delivery course, you are not considered external. You will be charged the same fee as an internal student.

Visit the Student Services and Amenities Fee website for further information.

If you have been impacted by coronavirus travel bans and have chosen to defer your studies you can adjust your OSHC policy dates. If you have arranged your OSHC through UQ, we can help with adjustments to dates and will work with our preferred provider, Allianz, to arrange this.  See more information about COVID-19 and OSHC on the Allianz website.  If you have organised your OSHC through UQ and have deferred your offer, we will automatically adjust your policy dates. We will advise you once we have done this.

Deferring your studies will not affect your visa status. If you require additional time to complete your studies (beyond your visa expiry date), you will:

• need to apply for a new student visa and
• will require a new Confirmation of Enrolment.

Updated Wednesday 7^th October.

If you are travelling to Queensland from any state, other than a specified COVID-19 hotspot, you will be permitted to enter Queensland subject to completing and signing a Queensland Border Declaration Pass.

As you are a student at UQ entering Queensland for the purposes of study, you are allowed to enter Queensland. If you are intending to travel from a specified COVID-19 hotspot, or have spent time in any specified COVID-19 hotspot during the past 14 days, you will be required to complete mandatory quarantine in government arranged accommodation for a minimum for 14 days, at your own expense.

Further information about mandatory quarantine is available here. Queensland Government are charging for mandatory quarantine but if you are experiencing financial hardship, you may be able to apply for Government Assistance.

If you do require financial assistance and are unable or unsuccessful in securing Government Assistance, you can submit the relevant supporting documentation as part of a Financial Hardship Application to UQ. 

If you are moving to Queensland for the first time and you are a new student, you can contact Student Services to discuss what options may be available to you.

If you require assistance with securing accommodation, please get in touch with Student Accommodation Services on accommodation@uq.edu.au.

If you are intending to travel from a specified COVID-19 hotspot, or have spent time in any specified COVID-19 hotspot during the past 14 days, you will be required to complete mandatory quarantine in Government arranged accommodation for a minimum for 14 days, at your own expense.

Please make sure that you refer to the full information published by the Queensland Government in relation to mandatory quarantine fees here.

If you are an international student returning from a COVID-19 hotspot, you may be eligible for a $2,000 grant to contribute to the quarantine fee. In order to receive this, please fill out the Quarantine Registration form and we will assess your eligibility.

If you do not meet the eligibility criteria, require financial assistance and are unable or unsuccessful in securing Government Assistance, you can submit the relevant supporting documentation as part of a Financial Hardship Application to UQ. 

If you are have any further questions about the quarantine assistance package, you can contact Student Services to discuss what options may be available to you.

The travel restrictions are being reviewed constantly. Please continue to check the Department of Home Affairs.

We recommend you contact the Department of Home Affairs.

Once you have recovered all possible expenses from your airline, travel agent, accommodation and other providers, please submit a travel insurance claim for any remaining out of pocket expenses.

Please refer to the Travel FAQs for further details regarding the circumstances in which a claim is likely to be accepted by UQ's travel insurer.

Claims will be assessed by UQ's Travel Insurer on a case-by-case basis, and in accordance with the policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations. Cover for cancellations will only be available where cancellation was necessary for reasons other than the UQ-imposed travel restriction. The UQ travel and insurance teams, and Campus Travel, are currently receiving a significant number of enquiries, so please be patient.

Find out more about submitting an insurance claim.

If you are experiencing financial hardship, please contact our student advisers to explore options for financial assistance.

If you are overseas looking to return home to Australia as soon as possible, based on Government advice, costs associated with early return to Australia will not necessarily be covered by UQ's travel insurance.

In line with the Government's worldwide travel advice rating being raised to Level 4 (Do Not Travel) on 18 March 2020, cover for cancellation is likely to be available for UQ approved international travel arrangements to locations where certain criteria are met.

For updated information and criteria for UQ Travel Insurance, please visit the Travel Insurance FAQs.

The impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic have changed the way that a number of our activities are managed, including clinical and industry based placements and field trips. 

To mitigate travel related risks, UQ requires all students to complete an online Travel Declaration prior to undertaking approved placements, work experience or field trips where the activity requires:

• travel more than 50km from your usual place of residence;  and
• an overnight stay (minimum of one night)

The Declaration outlines your responsibilities while engaging in this travel and also provides information on the UQ processes in place to ensure your safety and support while engaging in your placement or field trip.  By completing the Declaration you acknowledge that you have read, understood, and accepted these responsibilities.

UQ does not have travel insurance coverage for any claims relating to COVID-19 for domestic travel that has been booked after 4pm (AEDT) on 2 March 2020. Travel insurance cover will still apply for claims with different causes (subject to full policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limitations).  

If you have any questions regarding your specific placement or field trip circumstances please contact your Placement or Field Trip Coordinator.

If you are required to quarantine when returning to Queensland from overseas or interstate, please fill out the Quarantine Registration form and Student Services will assess your eligibility for quarantine assistance.

All students who have registered will receive information, resources, and ongoing support from Student Services during the quarantine period to assist with the transition to UQ. More information is available here.

Some students may be able to gain entry to Australia on an individual basis. Following the change to Government policy in relation to quarantine arrangements, if you do gain entry to Australia individually, you will be required to complete mandatory quarantine in Government arranged accommodation for a minimum for 14 days, at your own expense.

Please make sure that you refer to the full information published by the Queensland Government in relation to mandatory quarantine fees here.

If you are an international student, you may be eligible for assistance from UQ which may include a contribution towards quarantine fees and support from our international welfare advisers and counsellors. To get current information about what to expect when you get to quarantine and how to access support while you are there, please go to our webpage that outlines how we can support your safe return to UQ. This weblink also has the Quarantine Registration form which you will need to complete and we will assess your eligibility.

If you are a domestic student returning to Australia and require assistance with the costs of quarantine, you may also be entitled to financial assistance from the Queensland Government. You will be able to access further information about the eligibility criteria and how to apply for this assistance here.

If you are unable or unsuccessful in securing Government Assistance, you can submit the relevant supporting documentation as part of a Financial Hardship Application to UQ. 

Whether or not this will be covered by travel insurance will depend on the terms of your travel insurance and the circumstances of your travel.

If your return journey was part of UQ approved travel then cover may be available for these fees under UQ travel insurance if your travel was arranged prior to 4pm (AEDT) on 2 March 2020.  All claims will be assessed by UQ’s travel insurer on a case by case basis, and you will need to submit a travel insurance claim via UQ Insurance Services to determine whether or not cover is available in your particular circumstances.  

If your return journey was part of personal travel arrangements, you should check directly with your private travel insurance company. If you experience financial hardship as a result of returning to Australia and mandatory quarantine, you may be able to get assistance from the relevant State Government or in some circumstances, the Financial Hardship Assistance from the University. 

You will need to check with your Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) provider as to what is covered. If the University arranged your OSHC, your OSHC provider is Allianz.

• If you are worried that your child is sad or depressed encourage them to speak to a counsellor with Student Services on how to cope in this time.
• It is also very important to stay in touch with friends and family. UQ provides opportunities for students to make friends and connect with other peers via the UQ Mates Virtual Village.

• Australia has one of the best medical systems in the world. If your child was to fall ill they would never be turned away, and they would be well cared for.
• They can call the National Coronavirus Hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week on 1800 020 080.
• Respiratory clinics are being rolled out across the country to assess people with coronavirus symptoms so they go to these clinics and not the general doctor’s clinic. This way you should not be worried if they need to see a doctor for another reason.
• We encourage you to regularly check the Australian Government coronavirus COVID-19 health alert for up-to-date advice on what to do.

If you are applying to commence an undergraduate program in Semester 1, 2021 at UQ, we may be able to accept alternative evidence of your high school results. These include:

• Predicted grades, if available, for your senior qualification (eg A Levels or IB).  
• Adjusted test results and grades from testing centres that UQ recognises, such as Advanced Placements (APs), Scholastic Aptitude Tests (SATs) etc.

High school results that are equivalent to Australian year 12.You will still need to meet the program minimum entry score, subject pre-requisites as well as, minimum English language proficiency requirements (unless your UQ program requirements exclude these).

Yes. If you have completed one year of tertiary study but do not have the results, we will assess you either on your high school results (if equivalent to Australian Year 12) or the first 6 months of your tertiary study.

To ensure applicants for the 2021 Doctor of Medicine are not unfairly affected, we have made some adjustments to the MCAT and GAMSAT requirements, as follows:
 
MCAT

• Extended validity period of MCAT from three years to four years.
• Applicants can apply without an MCAT score, but will be required to provide confirmation of a test booking.
• UQ will assess eligibility and invite to interview based on GPA.
• UQ will issue conditional offers: Applicants will require a minimum score of 504 and must satisfy all admission requirements to receive a confirmed place, noting that this is subject to availability of places.

GAMSAT

• Applicants can apply without a GAMSAT score, but will be required to provide confirmation of a test booking.
• UQ will assess eligibility and invite to interview based on GPA.
• UQ will issue conditional offers: Applicants will require a minimum score of 50 in each section and must satisfy all admission requirements to receive a confirmed place, noting that this is subject to availability of places.

UQ is accepting alternative English language tests for direct entry into Semester 1, 2021.

In addition to IELTS, TOEFL and PTE-A, you may be able to sit one of the following non-standard English language tests online in order to meet UQ’s English language requirements:

• Password Skills
• Linguaskill General
• TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition ‘at home’ (not available in China)

These tests are taken online in your own home via remote proctoring, provided by ProctorU. If you are unable to take the test from your home, there may be the option to take the test through a UQ approved agent.

Password Skills or Linguaskill General

For more information or to book a test, please visit icte.uq.edu.au/testing or contact the ICTE Test Services team at icte.testing@icte.uq.edu.au.

TOEFL iBT Special Home Edition ‘at home’ test

For more information or to book a test, please visit ets.org/s/cv/toefl/at-home.

Remote proctoring is used when you sit an online test in your own home. It is the online invigilation of an exam. The exam is supervised by a real person called a “proctor” in real time via your computer webcam. 

The cost to sit Linguaskill General or Password Skills tests through ICTE Test Services is AUD$245 (incl. GST). This includes remote proctoring through ProctorU.

The TOEFL iBT and IELTS Indicator tests are currently not available through ICTE Test Services. You will need to liaise directly with these providers. For IELTS Indicator, you will need to register with ICTE first, before contacting IELTS.

• Password Skills 
• Linguaskill General  
• TOEFL iBT at home - Not available in China

• TOEFL iBT at home – Not available in China 
• Password Skills

The scores that you need to achieve to meet UQ’s English language requirements will depend on if you are applying for direct entry or via an English language pathway program on a UQ Package Offer.