Support for student learning

Student support services

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

All these services are sensitive to the needs of students from diverse backgrounds and are available at City and Kuring-gai campuses with flexible hours for part-time students.

For further information see below or contact the Student Services Unit at:

Transition to university programs

Orientation 2008

UTS offers a free program of activities and a series of integrated 'Study success' lectures before semester begins to help new students manage the transition to university study. There are specially tailored components for part-time, postgraduate and international students, and recent school leavers.

Peer support network

The Peer Network Program enlists the aid of existing students to assist with the orientation of new students. Both undergraduate and postgraduate students can get involved.

Careers Service

The Careers Service offers career guidance and assists with job placement for students seeking permanent, casual or vacation work.

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

Counsellors are available at both City and Kuring-gai campuses. The service is free of charge, confidential and sensitive to diversity.

Financial assistance

Financial assistance staff assist students with personal financial matters, student loans, Youth Allowance, Austudy and other Centrelink benefits.

Health/medical

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

Housing

University Housing offers three residences to 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 market.

Special Needs Service

The University has a range of services and procedures to improve access for students with disabilities, ongoing illnesses and other special needs.

Difficulty undertaking fieldwork and work placements

Many UTS courses require students to successfully undertake fieldwork, internships and work-based learning. UTS is committed to making education accessible and will endeavour 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 fieldwork or work-based learning components of their course, should discuss this prior to enrolment with the Special Needs Service staff, who will provide advice and if necessary make a referral to the Academic Liaison Officer within the relevant faculty.

Peer-assisted learning (U:PASS)

U:PASS (UTS: Peer Assisted Study Success) 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 general access computing facilities are located throughout all campuses of the University. All computers are connected to the Internet and most are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Details of locations, availability and services can be viewed on the Information Technology Division (ITD) website:

Access to lab computers requires a login and password. The IT Support Centre can assist with setting up a login, or see the Computing Facilities @ UTS brochure, available from any of the labs or IT Support Centres.

UTS Service Desk

UTS Service Desk supports multiple help desks at UTS, including IT Support and Services. Submit a request for IT Support online or search the knowledge base to find the solution to your problem.

IT Support Centre

During semester, the IT Support Centre is open from 8.00am to 9.30pm, Monday to Friday and for weekend support or during semester breaks, from 9.00am to 5.00pm.

Contact the IT Support Centre at:

A full list of services and support is available in the Student Computing Assistance Guide at:

Acceptable Use of Information Technology Facilities Policy

The Acceptable Use of Information Technology Facilities Policy applies to all UTS IT facilities, including email accounts. View the policy at:

Copyright at UTS

Downloading and/or copying copyright-protected material is illegal. Information about copyright laws, as they relate to you and your study or work, can be found at:

UTS Email Policy and Guidelines for the Use of Email

The University's electronic mail 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. The 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.

UTS wireless network

UTS provides students with access to a wireless network environment. A free wireless account is available for each UTS student.

Further information is available at:

UTS Virtual Lab

Virtual Lab allows students to remotely access most of the academic software available in the labs through the web, either from home or on campus using the wireless network.

Computer training

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

Bridging courses

Chemistry bridging course

For first-year chemistry subjects, it is strongly recommended that students have either HSC chemistry or some other suitable prior knowledge. UTS Bridging Chemistry is a bridging course designed to prepare students without such prior knowledge for the study of chemistry at tertiary level. The course includes lectures and demonstrations, tutorial and problem-solving sessions, self-paced learning and laboratory experiences.

Further information can be obtained from:

Mathematics bridging subjects

The Mathematics and ICT Study Centre provides bridging subjects for students who need mathematics, statistics and basic computing skills for their degree studies at UTS. If groups of students have particular needs, centre staff can design a bridging subject specifically to meet these needs.

94580 Bridging Mathematics

This intensive subject is run over two weeks in February. There are day and evening classes in both Mathematics (2 unit) and Mathematics Extension 1. The classes help students develop prerequisite mathematical skills at HSC level and are aimed at non-current students, students who have studied mathematics overseas and students who have not studied a high enough level of mathematics at school for their study needs. The subject is recommended for students entering courses in the areas of Business; Engineering; Science; Design, Architecture and Building; and Information Technology. This subject is free of student contribution amounts and carries no EFTSL value.

94590 Mathematics Preparation for Nursing

This subject is run day and evening in February. It gives a general introduction to mathematics and science for students entering Nursing courses. This subject is free of student contribution amounts and carries no EFTSL value.

35010 Foundation Mathematics

This subject runs in both Autumn and Spring semesters. It covers much of the content of the Mathematics (2 unit) HSC course and some elements of the Mathematics Extension 1 HSC course and prepares students for entry into courses that require mathematical skills, such as Engineering; Science; Information Technology; Design, Architecture and Building; and Business. Students who wish to enrol at the University in the following year are encouraged to take the subject as a non-award subject. In many cases the subject can then be credited as an elective in their degree program.

Physics bridging course

This course is a short introduction to studying physics, designed primarily for students enrolling in Engineering or Physical Sciences degrees at UTS who have limited background in physics. The course does not attempt to cover HSC Physics, but it provides useful advice and background knowledge to assist with tertiary study at UTS.

You are likely to benefit from this course if:

• you are a recent school leaver who did not complete HSC physics
• you are a mature-age student returning to study after an extended period
• you are not strong at mathematics (band 4 or below in HSC Mathematics).

If you have done HSC physics and have reasonable mathematical ability then you are advised not to do the bridging course as you will have sufficient background for first-year physics subjects.

Though any students may attend this course, it has been designed to be of most value to students with no HSC background who are entering UTS to study for a degree in:

• Engineering
• Physical Sciences (Applied Physics, Nanotechnology, Applied Chemistry, Forensic Science)).

Further information can be obtained from:

Science foundation program

Insearch Limited, which is wholly owned by UTS, offers a Foundation Studies Certificate in Science. The program is designed by staff of UTS: Science for students who are not currently qualified for direct university entry. While the University cannot guarantee admission to its degree programs (for local students), students who have completed the program may apply for admission to the first year of most science degree programs offered by UTS: Science.

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. They are also contacts for students who experience difficulties because of carer responsibilities, as well as students who were eligible for entry through the inpUTS and Special Admission schemes. Contact the relevant faculty for more information or see: