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Admissions Information


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Admissions Process

Admission to UNE involves a number of steps as set out below. These steps may be helpful to applicants in assisting them through the various stages of the admissions process. If applicants have any questions at any stage during the process they should contact the International Precinct for assistance.

Step 1
All International Students applying to study at UNE for full-time, on-campus courses (including English Language courses) or full- or part-time distance education courses including non-award units, must complete the online Application Form. Students who wish to apply through one of UNE’s authorised Agents can access the following website to locate their nearest agent: http://www.une.edu.au/imp/agents/agents.php.

Applicants should ensure that they attach certified copies of transcripts of all relevant previous studies and evidence of English language proficiency and any other documentation requested on the application form. If documents are in a language other than English, an officially certified translation of each document must be provided together with certified copies of the original documents.

International students attempting one of the following for admission must apply to UNE through UAC International at http://www.uac.edu.au/international.

  • An Australian Year 12 qualification in Australia
  • An Australian Year 12 qualification outside Australia
  • An International Baccalaureate (IB) in Australia
  • A New Zealand National Certificate of Educational Achievement (NCEA) Level 3

Step 2
Upon assessment, if the application is successful a Conditional or Unconditional Offer of Admission will be issued together with an Acceptance of Offer Form, details of the tuition and other fees payable, the UNE Refund Policy and any other essential information relating to acceptance of an offer to study at UNE. The offer will also include information about the services offered by UNE to international students. The University will advise students in writing if their application is unsuccessful.

Step 3
Students then need to sign the Acceptance of Offer Form and Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) Request Form and return it together with the required payment and any other documentation requested by International Marketing and Pathways.

Step 4
When the International Precinct receives the completed Offer Acceptance Form and the fees  outlined in the Offer of Admission, it will process the payment and, in the case of on-campus students, issue the Confirmation of Enrolment (COE) – the form used to apply for a Student Visa from an Embassy, High Commission or the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) as appropriate. Students must obtain a Student Visa before they come to study full-time in Australia. Information on obtaining a Student Visa is available online at http://www.immi.gov.au. In the case of students studying by distance the International Precinct will advise them of the enrolment process to be followed in order for them to receive their course materials and/or commence their online units.

Step 5
Upon being granted their Student Visa, students intending to study on-campus should make travel arrangements including applying on-line for accommodation at https://residences.une.edu.au/starrezportal/. Students should advise International Services of these travel arrangements and request airport or railway station reception. Please contact International Services on AskUNE to arrange reception or accommodation options.

Step 6
On-campus students should arrive and attend the International Student Orientation and Enrolment after which they will commence their formal course at UNE.

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Certified Documents

UNE requires that all documents submitted with an application are certified copies. A certified copy is a photocopy of an original document, which has been certified as a true copy of the original by an authorised person (see list below).

To get a document certified:

  • Make a photocopy of the original document
  • Take the original and the copy to an authorised person 
  • The person must make the following written statement on every page:
    • ' I have sighted the original document and certify this to be a true copy of the original.’
    Along with their signature and designation/job title (ie Pharmacist).

Ensure that the certification does not obscure any of the text on the copy.

Persons authorised to sign certified documents include:

  • Justice of the peace or bail justice
  • Public Notary
  • Barrister and solicitor
  • Registrar or deputy registrar of a court of law
  • A member of the police force
  • A registered medical practitioner, dentist or veterinary practitioner
  • A pharmacist
  • A manager of a bank
  • A minister of religion

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Trimester Entry

The academic year at UNE is divided into three trimesters. Many undergraduate and postgraduate coursework programs are available for commencing students in either Trimester 1 or 2. Only a very limited number of courses (such as the Master of Nursing Practice) are offered to commencing students in Trimester 3.

  • Trimester 1 February to June
  • Trimester 2 June to October 
  • Trimester 3 October to February

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Dates for Applications

As a guide, applications for Trimester 1 (February-June) should be submitted by the end of November of the previous year and applications for Trimester 2 (June-October) should be submitted by the end of May. Late applications will be considered wherever possible.

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Obtaining a Student Visa

International students intending to study at UNE by distance do not need to obtain a Student Visa. However international students intending to study on-campus at UNE will need to obtain a Student Visa. The Australian Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC) website, http://www.immi.gov.au has comprehensive information on applying for a student visa to study in Australia, including application forms. Please note that Student Visas granted to international students for their study in Australia have mandatory conditions attached. These are outlined in detail on the DIAC website at http://www.immi.gov.au.

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Students under 18 years old

Australian Law requires international students under 18 years of age to appoint a guardian while they are in Australia prior to being issued with a Student Visa. UNE does not accept students under 18 years of age into degree programs, however they may enrol at the Englsih Language Centre but must provide evidence of guardianship when the complete and return their acceptance documents.

Further information regarding the visa processing requirements for students under 18 is located on the DIAC website: http://www.immi.gov.au.

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Tuition Fees

Annual Course Fees only cover the cost of a student’s tuition. They do not include other expenses associated with university study such as books and equipment, and for on-campus students, accommodation and living expenses. For students successful in gaining admission to study at UNE the Offer of Admission will list the exact tuition fees a student should pay depending on whether they are a full-time, on-campus student or distance student. The Offer of Admission will also list other fees payable including compulsory Overseas Student Health Cover (not applicable to distance education students).

2012 fees for International Students are available by clicking on the links below. On-campus fees refer to students studying on-campus at Armidale, Australia. Distance Education Fees refer to students who are studying a UNE degree in their home country.

http://www.une.edu.au/imp/publications/fee-list-2012-14062012.pdf

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Refund of tuition fees policy

The University of New England’s refund of tuition fees policy is based upon and is in accordance with the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (the National Code), the Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000 (ESOS Act 2000) and Education Services for Overseas Student Regulations 2001 (ESOS Regulations 2001). This policy applies to all internationalstudents studying on-campus or by distance regardless of the person actually paying the fees.

Definitions:

  1. The term ‘start date’ refers to one of the following:
    • The first day of lectures as listed in the annual UNE Handbook
    • Principal Dates located at http://www.une.edu.au/dates OR
    • The first day a student commences their Masters by Research candidature OR
    • The first day a student commences their PhD candidature OR
    • The first day an English Language Centre student commences their English language course.
  2. The term ‘annual tuition fee’ is the tuition fee payable for an international student’s degree, certificate or diploma course over a one-year period.

    3. Refund of the Annual Tuition Fees Agreement

  3. This agreement does not remove a student’s right to take further action under Australia’s consumer protection laws. The University of New England’s dispute resolution processes do not prevent a student from seeking other legal remedies.
  4. If a student seeks a refund, they must inform the International Precinct in writing; this can be via posted letter, fax or by e-mail. They must include the following information in their request:
    1. Full name;
    2. UNE student number;
    3. The formal name of the course which they wish to withdraw from;
    4. The date the course started; and
    5. The date the student withdrew from the course.

    5. It is the student’s responsibility to keep a copy of the letter/fax/e-mail and a record of when it was sent to the International Precinct.

  5. The amount a student is to be refunded depends on when they notify the International Precinct of their request for a refund as follows:
    1. If a student notifies the UNE International Precinct of their withdrawal more than four (4)weeks before the start date, 90% of the annual tuition fee paid will be refunded.
    2. If a student notifies the UNE International Precinct of their withdrawal less than four (4) weeks before the start date, 50% of the annual tuition fee paid will be refunded.
    3. If a student notifies the UNE International Precinct of their withdrawal up to four (4) weeks after the start date, 50% of the annual tuition fee paid will be refunded.
    4. If a student notifies the UNE International Precinct of their withdrawal more than four (4) weeks after the start date, there will be no refund of the annual tuition fee paid.
  6. If a student fails to obtain a Student Visa to study at UNE, the University will refund 100% of the annual tuition fees paid.
  7. Refunds to International Students will be paid within four (4) weeks after the UNE International Precinct receives a student’s written request for a refund. All refunds will be paid to the person who originally paid the tuition fees. Refunds will be reimbursed in the same currency as the fees were originally paid and will be made in the student’s home country except in exceptional circumstances.
  8. In the event that an Offer of Admission is withdrawn by the University or it is unable to provide the course, all tuition fees paid are fully refundable, unless the offer was made on the basis of incorrect or incomplete information being supplied by the applicant or the student.
  9. In the event that an international student who has already paid tuition fees applicable to international students for a given semester, is granted Permanent Resident status in Australia, a total refund of these fees will be paid less any agent fee, if the student has:
    1. obtained Permanent Resident status by the census date for that semester
    2. been enrolled by the University as a Commonwealth Supported Student under the Higher Education Support Act 2003 or
    3. has made arrangements with the University to pay fees as a domestic (non-international) student.

    10. Refund of Overseas Student Health Cover

  10. Overseas Student Health Cover is refundable only if a student withdraws from their course before the start date of the course and before registering for the Health Cover Card.

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Advanced Standing

Applicants wishing to apply for Advanced Standing for their previous studies should complete the relevant section of the International Student Admission Application Form, as well as an Application for Credit (Advanced Standing) found online at http://www.une.edu.au/advanced-standing.php. Students need to fill in the Advanced Standing Application form, and provide the necessary documentation including transcripts and syllabus (ie. Descriptions of subjects previously studied)  The University’s Policy on Advanced Standing is located at the following web address: http://www.une.edu.au/policies/pdf/advancedstanding.pdf. On-campus students receiving Advanced Standing are still required to maintain a standard full-time load of 24 credit points (equivalent of four units) per semester.

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Overseas Student Health Cover

Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) is the minimum level of private health insurance international students and their dependants are required to purchase as a condition of their Student Visa for study on-campus in Australia. Some Norwegian and Swedish students do not require OSHC. The Australian Department of Health and Aged Care has advised that these countries have national health schemes which provide adequate health insurance overseas. Please note that international students studying by distance are not required to purchase OSHC. UNE currently has an agreement with Medibank Private, a private health fund, to facilitate the provision of OSHC for on-campus international students.

Students should note that it is a condition of their Student Visa to maintain current OSHC for the duration of their visa. Medibank Private Overseas Student Health Cover pays the cost of most medical and hospital treatment students may require while studying in Australia and will contribute to the cost of prescription medicines and emergency ambulance transport. The current cost of Overseas Student Health Cover and further information about the scheme is located at http://www.medibank.com.au/Client/StaticPages/OSHCHome.aspx.

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