COVID-19 (coronavirus) advice for the UQ community - STUDENTS - Study
What changes are there to UQ's usual teaching and learning policies and procedures ?
Extensions to timelines and changes to dates
Withdrawing without academic penalty: After finalisation of grades, students can apply to the President of the Academic Board for withdrawal without academic penalty within thirty (30) calendar days of the release of final grade – this has been extended to 60 calendar days.
Student grievances: Student appeals must normally be lodged within 20 business days of the decision / action giving rise to the appeal - this has been extended to 40 business days.
Supplementary assessment and deferred examination: The dates for the supplementary and deferred examination period will be changed; you will be provided with ample notice.
Finalisation of grades following deferred exams and supplementary assessment: the final grade for courses would normally be finalised within 10 calendar days of the end of semester 1 – this has been extended to 14 calendar days.
Teaching and learning policies
Re-assessment: Normally you are not allowed to submit the same work twice, nor be given exemption or partial credit for previous attempt(s) for any individual piece of assessment. In some courses where there is severe disruption, or where not all of the learning outcomes can be assessed, this may need to change. Your Course Coordinator will be able to advise if this applies in the course.
Exam timing: To ensure minimum disruption and delays to your studies while delivering the learning outcomes you expect, exams/tests may be held during teaching weeks 12 and 13, assessment items due during revision week, and where necessary exams scheduled on Sundays or public holidays.
Format of deferred end-of-semester exams: Deferred end-of-semester examinations must normally be held in the same conditions as the original examination, including format and duration. Because this situation is changing so quickly, it may be necessary to shift from physical examinations to online or vice versa, and as a result the format and timing of your examinations may not be identical. However, the level and learning outcomes assessed will be the same.
Off-campus exam fees: Normally on-campus students may only take exams off-campus where there are exceptional circumstances, and in such cases, a fee applies. This will not be applicable, and many exams will be delivered online this year.
Medical certificates
For applications for extensions to assessment and deferred examinations on medical grounds, we normally require a medical certificate. To ensure we don’t place unnecessary strain on our health services, students do not need to obtain a medical certificate. Instead, we will accept a statement of circumstances signed by the student, up until 1/11/2020 only.
How will online assessment work?
Course Coordinators are reviewing all assessment for courses offered in Semester 2 to ensure that it is suitable for online and/or in-person study modes. Blackboard sites and the Electronic Course Profiles (ECP) will be updated in due course.
Visit the Preparing for Semester 2 website for more information about study modes and course availability in Semester 2.
If you are unsure and have concerns about an upcoming Semester 1 exam or deadline please contact your Course Coordinator.
What facilities are available on campus?
While all teaching moved online for Semester 1, our campuses remain open to facilitate a range of activities that can still occur within the boundaries of current social distancing and public gathering guidelines. UQ is following government advice on what facilities can be open, and these may change as the advice changes. We will continue to update this page with information as it becomes available.
What facilities are open:
Some essential retail services are still open, but students and staff must practice social distancing. All restaurants/cafes can only serve takeaway items, and everyone must practise social distancing when ordering – order online where possible. Customers may not dine in these spaces. Find a full list here.
UQ Art Museum is open for research and curriculum purposes, by appointment. Find more information here.
In the interests of social distancing and reducing the transmission of COVID-19, we will be closing some library locations and services from Thursday 26 March until further notice. Some 24/7 study spaces will be available (UQ ID card required). You must practise physical distancing in libraries. View the current opening hours for our locations. You can also access training online and our librarians are offering consultations via Zoom.
Access to important services such as mental health support, the Student Centre and UQ Health continues. The majority of these services are now only available online. Please refer to the links provided for information on how to access these services.
What facilities are closed:
The Australian Government has recently commenced easing of restrictions on registered and licensed pubs, gyms, indoor sporting venues, cinemas, entertainment venues, parks and outdoor recreational areas.
In response to these announcements, you can find the full list of available UQ facilities here. This will be updated regularly based on Government advice.
The resumption of UQ Sport venues and operations, in response to recently announced frameworks for easing COVID-19 restrictions, will be carefully staged and gradual. Find a full list of UQ Sport closures here.
Please, if you need to self-isolate, you must do so. If you are still unsure as to what self-isolation means and how to put it into practice, please refer to Government advice.
I decided not to resume my UQ study in Semester 1. What if the last course I need is not offered in Semester 2?
More information about Semester 2 is available on the Preparing for Semester 2 website and my.UQ. If after reading this information you are concerned about your course availability in Semester 2, 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.
My course has a practical component such as laboratory work. How will it be affected if I am studying remotely?
We are now implementing the UQ Safe Return to Campus Roadmap; a phased plan to safely re-introduce on campus activities during Semester 2.
Visit the Preparing for Semester 2 website for more information about study modes and course availability in Semester 2.
If after reading this information you are concerned about your course availability in Semester 2, 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.
What should I do about student placements and field trips within Australia?
At this time UQ is continuing to support our students 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.
We recommend you contact your Faculty for further advice regarding the status of your placements.
How can I access IT support while studying at home?
The library can assist students with IT issues online or by phone, including help with student passwords and issues accessing UQ systems and resources. Students can contact the library’s AskUs service online.
Please check the COVID-19 (coronavirus) library services page to get current information about our service hours and resources available.
How can I access library resources while studying at home?
The library's print/physical collections are closed from Thursday 26 March 2020 until further notice. However online resources are still available.
Please check the COVID-19 (coronavirus) library services page to get current information about the opening hours for our locations and study spaces.
What if I don’t have a laptop or computer?
If you do not have a computer or laptop you can use for studying from home, you may be able to borrow one from us. We have a limited number of laptops available to students for loan. These will be distributed on a case-by-case basis until further notice.
Please check the COVID-19 (coronavirus) library services pagefor current information on the laptops for loan scheme.
I can’t access my learning resources such as Blackboard, what do I do?
The University is aware that access to its systems from outside of Australia can be slow. To address this we are reviewing learning content for faster delivery. Please take steps to ensure that you have the best possible Internet connection.
If you are accessing from China, UQ has worked with a company based in China to boost your access through the UQ VPN. You can find out more information here.
If you continue to have an issue accessing course content we recommend you contact your Course Coordinator to find an alternative to get it to you. You are also able to contact UQ IT Support for further help accessing UQ websites and resources.