STUDENT REPORT UTS
Student Report
Name of the University: University of Technology Sydney
Exchange semester: Fall 2014
I. PRACTICAL INFORMATION
Before leaving Norway
As the semester starts earlier in Australia than in Norway, we started to receive information
about UTS and our semester there in the beginning of March. Our impression is that the
people working on international office at UTS are quick and efficient in answering if you
have any questions or problems.
Applying for a visa (if applicable)
The visa application process is online (http://www.immi.gov.au/Visit/Pages/Visit.aspx) and
we applied in subclass 575 (student visa). The visa costs approximately 3000 NOK.
Our experience is that you should start as early as possible with the visa process. One of us
encounted difficulties when applying for her visa due to a misspelling in her CEO, which
delayed her process. If you experience this, make sure to contact UTS as soon as possible.
Also, be aware that if you have been travelling to certain countries – especially Asian
countries, during the past years, the Australian government may require you to undertake a
health examination. There is only a few doctors in Norway who is licenced to do this kind of
health examination, so make sure to find out if you need one of those, and book your
appointment early. Once you have all the requisites in order, it will only take a couple of
hours from when you submit it until you receive your Australian visa.
Travel
We travelled by airplane with two lay-overs, which took us about 32 hours in total.
Housing
UTS provides various housing possibilities in the center of Sydney. As an international
student you will be prioritised if you apply. The accomondations have overall high standards,
is social and a great alternative. Still, our impression is that most Norwegians, us included,
choose private housing. We found our apartment through Ansa’s Facebook pages, but you can
also use the group “Nordmenn i Sydney” and gumtree.com.au among other. You pay rent
weekly, and the prices are overall quite similar to the Norwegian renting prices. We lived in
the city center, which saved us expences on such as transport. We lived in a really nice and
central suburb called Ultimo, only 10 minutes away from UTS.
Costs
Before deciding to live in Sydney for half a year, be aware that this is the most expensive city
in Australia. The food is a bit cheaper, but overall you deal with Norwegian prices. Also, as
an international student you do not get discount on public transportation. The textbooks you
need for your subjects cost more than in Norway, but it exists alternatives to buying them. We
rented our books for a whole semester from zookal.com.au, something we would recommend.
STUDENT REPORT UTS
Rent
Books
Food
Transport
Other
5000 NOK
300 NOK
3000 NOK
200 NOK
2800 NOK
Culture and language
UTS is a highly multicultural university where the majority of the international students come
from Asia, which is also the case for some of the lecturers. Due to their distinct accent and
somewhat lack of English capabilities this can cause some language barriers and
misunderstandings. Australians, in general, are very polite, friendly and accommodating.
It easy, and quite cheap to travel around Australia, something we would recommend you to do
if you have not been there before. Surfing is a big part of the Australian culture, and
something we would recommend you to try. During orientation week at UTS, all the
international students were offered to join a surfcamp, which was a great experience both for
learning to surf and for making friends.
II. ABOUT THE SCHOOL
UTS is located in the center of Sydney, with several campus bulidings within a short radius.
They are currently expanding, and new buildings are under construction. The university has a
high standard and is modern with a lot of technological facilities. UTS is ranked as one of the
10 best universities in Australia, which our stay has not given us any reason to doubt.
The school is advocating teamwork, something which characterize the study structure at UTS.
In all of our subjects we had to work with given assignments in groups. We also had to give
presentations to the class in most of our subjects. These are valuable experiences when it
comes to working with different people and stepping out of ones comfort zone.
Course registration
We registered our courses shortly after receiving our official offer from UTS. The registration
process is online, and as long as the preqrequisites are in place, you can choose from a wide
range of subjects. Remember that both BI and UTS needs to approve your courses. UTS will
send you guidelines on how to make a profile on their online pages, and how the registration
process is done. Use the UTS timetable to make sure that your subjects do not overlap, and
that your desired subjects are offered this semester.
Academic calendar
Arrival date:
First day of the semester:
Last day of classes:
Mid-term exam period:
Final exam period:
Mid-semester break:
16/7-2014
28/7-2014
7/11-2014
20-27/11-2014
8-28/11-2014
29/9 – 5/10-2014
Arrival
Orientation week is more academic than what we are used to in Norway. We would
recommend you to attend the first days/lectures, but we felt that much of the information
provided were aimed at new students withouth university experience. One of few social
STUDENT REPORT UTS
events was a coctail party for international students. Remember that you need to sign up for
all of the events you want to attend. How to do this will be emailed to you.
The International Office
The international office is localised several places on campus, and will always help you if you
have any inquires. In addition to this, UTS: Helps can help you apply for special conditions
for your exams because you are foreign, which will give you extended examination time and
the opportunity to use a dictionary.
Promoting BI and Norway
We have not been informed that there has been any official events to represent Norway and
BI as a country and a host university, but in general we have talked warmly about both to our
international friends.
Social activities
It it easy to meet new people and make friends on UTS. The group work is helpful for
expanding your network. We found it easier to bond with other international students than
with Australian students. Our impression is that many Australians have existing networks, and
are not as eager to meet international students.
III. ACADEMICS
In the classroom
You normally have one lectures in each subject per week. The teaching style is a lot more
focused on being practical with additional tutorials in each course, where different topics are
being discussed further and you can ask questions in smaller groups. In each subject you will
most likely have to conduct one mid- term exam, groupwork/ presentation and one final exam
which all adds up to your total grade. You need to accomplish at least 50% of the total marks
of the subject in order to pass. This takes away some of the pressure of the final exam, but
divide more of the workload throughout the semester. In other words, “skippertak” will not
work here. Some subjects are more challenging than others, but an average student should
have no problem passing the courses relatively easy. Overall, the workload is about the same
as at BI, but here it is spead out over the semester.
Course materials
Not all subjects have required books, some have online articles and lecture notes in stead.
Before purchasing books, we would recommend you to look at the rental possibilities as
mentioned, as that can save you a lot of money. Powerpoints are being used in lectures and
tutorials, and is useful when reading for exams.
Exams
Was the exam based on the course materials or on the lectures?
How was the course evaluated (include all that apply)?
o Final exam (include form: written, oral, home assignment, presentation, etc.)
o Mid-term exam
o In-class quizzes throughout semester
o Small assignments and/or papers
o Presentations
o Group work
o Class attendance
STUDENT REPORT UTS
o Class participation/debates
o Activities outside of the classroom
o Other – if other, describe.
The exams are based on what you have learned throughout the semester. The mid-term focus
on what you have learned up to that date, and the final exam covers all of the course material.
The main focus is on lecture notes/power points, but you are recommended to read the
subject’s provided textbook as well. The exams consist of multiple choice and/or short/long
answer questions. How the course is evaluated differs from one subject to another, but the
most common is to have one mid-term, groupwork/presentation and a final exam. In some
subjects you will also be marked by class participation. In some subjects you are also required
to attend 80 % of the lectures/tutorials in order to pass the subject.
Library and technology
The school is equipped with modern and up to date facilities, such as Apple computers and
printing stations on different locations. There are many places that is good for studying on
campus, and the libarary is a good choice. It has several floors, group rooms, both quiet and
talking areas. You can also rent textbooks up to one week for free here.
Description of courses
Please list below all the courses you took while on exchange. Your comments are useful for
BI and for future exchange students, include information on the qacadmic level, challenges,
relevance to your studies, if the course was practical/theoretical, any enrolment issues, etc.
Course code & name
Master/
Bachelor
Exam form
Example:FIN123
Finance
21555 Human
Resource
Management
Bachelor
4-hour written
exam
- In -class quiz
21602. Strategy:
Theory and Practice
Bachelor
Bachelor
Prer Approve
equis d as
ites
None Elective
Yes
Interesting subject for
those interested in
management courses.
Easy to pass, but a
high grade requires
study. Engaging
lecturer.
No
Introduction to
strategy. Relatively
easy to pass. Overall
an OK/interesting
subject.
Yes/no
Subject which takes on
a lot of intreseting
topics if you are
concerned with
sustainable resource
economy.
The subject is
relatively new at UTS,
so a bit unstructured at
times. Engaging
- Group
presentation +
report
- Class
participation
- Final exam
- Individual
essay
- Group
presentation +
report
- Final exam
23570. Economics of
the Environent
Bachelor
- Individual
assignment
- Group
assigment +
presentation
- Final exam
Comments
STUDENT REPORT UTS
23115. Economics for
business
Bachelor
24415. Marketing
Planning and Strategy
Bachelor
- Online tests
Yes/no
- Mid-term
exam
- Final exam
- Mid-term
exam
Yes/no
- Group
presentation +
report
- Final exam
24223. New Product
Marketing
Bachelor
- Mid-term
exam
- Business plan
for a new
product + two
presentations
- Final exam
Yes/no
lecturer
Overall an ok subject.
Mix of micro- and
macroeconomy seen
from a business
perspective. The
lectureres does not
always seem to be that
engaged.
Very engaging
lecturer, and an
overall interesting
course. There is no
textbook required, so
make sure you go to
the lectures, because
what is dicussed there
is what you are asked
on your exams.
A demanding subject
with a heavy work
load. The business
plan is very time
consuming, so make
sure to start early. Not
that engaged lecturer.
On a final note, how will you sum up the exchange experience?
All in all we have had a fantastic exchange semester in Sydney, and we are very greatful for
being sent there. UTS is a great university with engaging lecturers, a fine mix between
lectures and tutorials, modern campuses, and central locations. We would highly recommend
you to apply for this university. Sydney in general is an amazing city filled with options.
There is always something fun happening. But remember that you are not on vacation, and the
expectations of the school are quite high. The semester also starts about a month earlier at
UTS than at BI, and there is opposite seasons in Australia than Norway. This means that it is
winter when you arrive, which is colder than you would expect (no matter what the weather
forecasts are saying) and last longer thann you think, so bring warm clothes! Australia is in
general amazing, and the people are very friendly and welcoming, and the fact that it is an
English speaking country makes everything easier.
We did not know much about UTS before applying, since we are the first ones sent there by
BI, but after spending a semester there we have gained a lot of knowledge, so feel free to ask
us if you have any questions 