Welcome to the International Student Office
The International Student Office provides coordinated leadership to the wider University community, and a range of vital services for international students and external stakeholders in administering the international student program at the University of Sydney.
Customer Service
Our Customer Service team handles front-counter, telephone, and email enquiries from international students. They offer immediate advice and assistance on a wide range of topics, and refer enquirers to other relevant services offered by the University.
International Student Recruitment
The international student recruitment team plans, publicises, and attends overseas and domestic interview programs, exhibitions and roadshows to recruit prospective international students, in accordance with the strategic plans endorsed by the University’s International Operations Committee (IOC). The Unit maintains the University’s database of contracted representatives (Agents), manages Agency Agreements and new agent appointments, and monitors agent performance. It is responsible for Agent management and training, advertising and public relations, and liaison with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders (including high schools and tertiary institutions overseas).
Study Abroad and Exchange
Our Study Abroad and Exchange team manages the programs for both inbound Study Abroad students, and inbound and outbound Exchange students. The work involves detailed liaison with partner institutions around the world, as well as with a wide range of internal stakeholders. Inbound study abroad and exchange student services encompasses all of the student activities for this cohort – including, but not exclusive to, admission, enrolment, unit of study selection, internship coordination with suitable local industries, pastoral care and post program academic services (including sending academic transcripts). The team organises specialised orientation programs for incoming Study Abroad and Exchange students, and pre-departure briefings and post-return debriefings for outbound Exchange students on semester long and short-term offerings.
Institutional Exchange Agreements
Our specialised staff develop, establish and maintain institutional agreements with overseas partner institutions for student exchange. They also manage Cotutelle agreements, and process University-wide Memoranda of Understanding (MoUs).
International Student Admissions
Our Admissions team processes international student applications, liaising with Faculties and Schools to determine students’ eligibility for admission. The team issues Offers of Admission for full-degree Undergraduate and Postgraduate programs, as well as for AusAID students. An Information Coordinator liaises with other units of the University to keep Admissions informed on changes to courses and admissions requirements and also provides regular reports on international student acceptances to the wider University community.
Government and Student Relations
The Government and Student Relations team includes skilled Student Advisers who offer specialised advice and support to international students in relation to a broad range of issues, relating to both Government and University policies, that they may encounter during their studies at the University. During enrolment periods, they work closely with other student services units of the University to deliver informative Arrival and Orientation Sessions.
AusAID
The AusAID unit handles the full student lifecycle from application to graduation for students funded by Australian Development Scholarships (ADS) and Australian Leadership Awards (ALA). Prospective and current students establish and maintain contact with the AusAID Unit about future study at the University or about any aspect of their Scholarship, academic progress or welfare following arrival in Australia. The Unit organises specialised arrival sessions and pre-departure sessions for all AusAID students and manages compliance with Government regulations for these Scholarships.
Compliance
Our compliance team ensures the University’s observance and conformity with the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students (The National Code). Within this framework, it ensures compliance with the Education Services for Overseas Students Act (ESOS), as well as with the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), and the requirements of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship (DIAC), including mitigating risk under DIAC’s new Streamlined Visa Processing (SVP) policies. The Unit also manages US, Canadian, and British Loan Schemes on behalf of the University. A dedicated International Loan Schemes Officer assists students in relation to applying for education loans to fund their study.
Finance and Student Administration
Our finance and student administration team manages all accounts payable, including invoicing for and collecting international student fees, student debt management, distributing international fee income to the University, paying commissions to the University’s Agents, liaising with Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) providers, maintaining contracts with Agents and external suppliers who provide services to international students, paying student stipends for AusAID students, and managing the financial administration of other international scholarships.
Web & Publications
In close liaison with the University’s Web and Print Production team, our in-house Web and Publications Senior Manager maintains and updates information specifically relevant to international students on sections of the University’s website. The Senior Manager is also responsible for the designing and producing a range of international student publications, including the International Undergraduate and Postgraduate Guides, and creating both print and web-based advertising material as required.
Quality Assurance
The Systems Support and Quality Coordinator has oversight for continuous improvement of internal office procedures and benchmarking with other Australian universities.