Support for student learning

Student services

The Student Services Unit provides a range of professional services to support different aspects of student life and learning at UTS.

Orientation

The UTS Orientation Program is designed to help new students get the best out of their student experience. Students learn about the way UTS works, and what services are available to assist and support them. They can participate in seminars and workshops to further their skills, and have opportunities to meet local and international students and staff.

Peer Network

The Peer Network program enlists the aid of existing students to assist with the orientation of new students and a variety of student engagement events run throughout the year. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can get involved.

Careers

UTS: Careers works closely with graduate recruiters and faculties to facilitate programs and events that equip UTS students with key employability skills, as well as the knowledge and confidence vital for success. General services include career consulting, helpful advice and assistance in finding work opportunities. Career development services include work-ready programs, planning resources, and job-search strategies and events, as well as help with résumés, applications and interviews.

Chaplaincy

Visiting chaplains and multi-faith centre rooms are available to students. Chaplains come from a number of different faith traditions including different Christian denominations, Buddhism, Judaism and Islam.

Counselling

UTS offers a counselling service to help with a wide range of personal, psychological, study-related and administrative difficulties. The service is free of charge and confidential.

English language and academic literacy

Higher education language and presentation support (HELPS) staff assist students with drop-in support, one-on-one and group consultations, workshops for developing English language skills, academic writing, and academic presentation and conversation. These services are free of charge. In between teaching periods, intensive courses in academic writing, seminar presentation skills and pronunciation are available.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance staff assist students with personal financial matters, student loans, Youth Allowance, Austudy and other Centrelink benefits. Students on low incomes may be eligible for grants and assistance in relation to computer access.

Health

Experienced male and female doctors from diverse backgrounds and clinical interests are available at City campus.

Housing

UTS: Housing offers five residences to UTS students, all within easy access to City campus. The housing service also provides assistance to students in locating short-term and long-term accommodation in the private rental and share accommodation markets.

Accessibility

The university has a range of services and procedures to improve access for students with access requirements. The accessibility service is the central point of contact for students with disabilities and ongoing medical or mental health conditions that affect their studies. Consultations with accessibility consultants about the physical environment, course requirements and the services available can be made well ahead of enrolment, or at any time during enrolment.

Many UTS courses require students to successfully undertake fieldwork, internships and work-integrated learning. UTS is committed to making education accessible and endeavours to accommodate the needs of students with disabilities and illnesses to the greatest extent possible.

Students who have a disability that may affect their participation in work-integrated learning components of their course should discuss this with an accessibility consultant prior to enrolment. The academic liaison officer within the student's faculty should be contacted for advice as necessary.

Peer-assisted learning

UTS: Peer Assisted Study Success (U:PASS) is a peer-based learning program designed to assist students undertaking difficult subjects. U:PASS is offered in selected subjects across several faculties. Students meet in small study groups facilitated by peer leaders who have recently completed the subject and achieved high grades. U:PASS sessions are free, informal and responsive to students' different abilities and needs.

Computing facilities at UTS

UTS provides computing facilities for students, including computers, computer labs, study pods for group study, wireless access, and a range of information and communication facilities. Open student spaces have audio visual equipment, desk spaces where students can set up their own devices, secure wireless connectivity as well as networked computers.

Student printing and scanning

Students can print to a number of print stations on campus and access computers and scanners in the computer labs.

MyPrint – wireless printing

Students can print from any device using the MyPrint facility.

IT support

Students can get IT help from an IT Support Centre by phone, in person or online. Details are available from the IT Support Centre.

Computer training

In general, where computer training is a necessary part of a course, it is provided as part of that course. Students can also consult the Mathematics Study Centre.

IT policies and guidelines

The university's email services are a part of the university's facilities and are intended for teaching, learning, research and administration in support of the university's mission.

UTS policies and directives governing the use and access of UTS email accounts are administered by the UTS: Governance Support Unit:

• the UTS Email Policy outlines appropriate use of, and access to, UTS email accounts
• the Guidelines for the use of email complement the UTS Email Policy, and should be read in conjunction with this policy
• the Acceptable Use of Information Technology Facilities policy applies to all UTS IT facilities, including email accounts.

Copyright at UTS

There are requirements regarding downloading or copying copyright-protected material. Information about legal copying is available.

Bridging courses

UTS bridging courses are short intensive courses offered at an introductory level in chemistry, physics and mathematics. They are designed to assist students who may not meet the 'assumed knowledge' requirements of a course or who are not confident with their preparation for university study. While UTS does not have HSC subject prerequisites for courses, students are assumed to have the requisite level of knowledge to pass the relevant subject in the HSC.

Bridging courses are taught at an introductory level and may assist in narrowing the gap between secondary and tertiary studies. Subjects do not carry any credit towards a degree.

Academic liaison officers

Each faculty has at least one academic liaison officer (ALO) who is a member of academic staff. ALOs can approve requests for adjustments to assessment arrangements for students with disabilities or ongoing illnesses. ALOs are also contacts for students who experience difficulties because of carer responsibilities.

Students wishing to contact an ALO in relation to a disability or ongoing illness are encouraged to see the Accessibility Service before contacting their relevant ALO.

Students with carer responsibilities can contact their relevant ALO directly.