Dear Valued Partner,
Semester 1 has commenced at The University of Queensland with new and returning students filling our campuses with life and vitality. We are aware that some students have not yet been able to join us on campus by our published late arrival and course enrolment deadline of 1 March 2024, due to recent visa processing priority changes implemented by the Australian Government.
UQ is committed to ensuring students feel supported during this difficult time. International students commencing in Semester 1, 2024 who are impacted by visa delays will now have until the end of Week 3 (8 March 2024) to receive their visa and complete their course enrolment (with manual intervention after 1 March 2024).
If students receive their visa before 8 March
If students receive their student visa before the end of Week 3 (8 March 2024), they now have until Monday, 11 March to be on campus to attend classes.
If, due to flight availability, their planned arrival is slightly after this date, students are encouraged to contact their Faculty administration to confirm whether a late start is still possible, as some course enrolments will not permit a later start.
If they have not enrolled in classes by 1 March 2024, they will need to send an email to studentadmin@uq.edu.au to request assistance to enrol due to visa delays, showing evidence of their visa grant date. The late enrolment charge will not be applied in this circumstance.
If students do not receive their visa by 8 March
To assist you with providing advice to students who are unable to secure their visa by the end of Week 3 (8 March 2024), we have prepared some key information that outlines our processes for students to follow:
Students who are not currently enrolled in courses
For students who have received their Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) but are unable to receive their visa by the end of Week 3, they can request to defer their studies to a future semester. Students will need to submit their request by email to iasdeferral@uq.edu.au no later than 31 March 2024. In the email, they must include:
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student number
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the semester they would like to defer to
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the reasons for their deferral.
If students have been granted a place in a quota program, there is no guarantee that they will be able to defer to the next available intake.
International Admissions will work with them on a case-by-case basis to discuss their options for deferral based on the program.
Students who are currently enrolled in courses
For students who have received their COE and have already enrolled in courses but are unable to receive their visa by the end of Week 3, they will need to drop their course enrolment and request to defer their studies to a future semester by sending an email to iasdeferral@uq.edu.au. Students will need to submit their request to defer no later than 31 March 2024. In the email, they must include:
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student number
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the semester they would like to defer to
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the reasons for their deferral.
Withdrawal from program
If a commencing student would prefer to withdraw from the program, in accordance with our refund policy, the student is entitled to receive a full refund provided they withdraw before the end of census date of the first study period of enrolment. For Semester 1, 2024, the census date is 31 March 2024. In this circumstance where the student’s arrival has been impacted by visa delays, they will not be charged the administration fee for cancellation of enrolment.
Students who have already enrolled in courses will need to drop their course enrolment and request to withdraw by submitting a Request to withdraw from program using my.uq.
Students who have not yet enrolled in courses are able to request to withdraw by emailing applicationstatus@uq.edu.au.
Please note, that if students choose to defer their studies to a future semester and then later decide to withdraw, the refund policy will apply (which includes an administrative charge for cancellation of enrolment).
We understand that this is a stressful and frustrating time. Our Student Central team is ready to support students who arrive late and help them transition into university life. If students require transport from the airport to their accommodation, please direct them to complete this form at least 24 hours before their arrival in Brisbane.
Before students arrive, we highly recommend that they complete the UQ Essentials Module, a one-hour interactive online course that will prepare them for study and life in Australia and the Respect at UQ Module, to learn more about how we create a culture of consent and respect at UQ (UQ student login required).
Whilst UQ is unable to control the speed at which visas are processed, nor advocate for single cases, the University continues to work at all levels of government to minimise the impact of the visa delays on our students.
We will be communicating directly with students who have not yet received their visas and are due to start studies in Semester 1, 2024. If students have already submitted a request to defer or withdraw prior to this email notification, they do not need to resend it. If they haven’t heard from us, we will respond to them shortly.
Regards,
Jogvan Klein
Director, Future Students and Admissions
The University of Queensland |