Edition 272 of our Australia Study Abroad Weekly is here, right on schedule — 11 February 2023.

This edition is written by Newstars Education & Migration Senior Consultant Faye (QEAC No. O805, registered education consultant).

This week we cover how several universities have responded to China’s Ministry of Education overseas study credential-recognition policy, and what support they are offering. Current students at these institutions can use these policies as reference.

Orientation Week is just around the corner — wishing all students already in Australia a wonderful and fulfilling start to the semester!

Every Saturday, our Study Abroad Weekly rounds up the hottest topics in international education:

Detailed application information and programme summaries for Australian universities.

Breaking study-abroad news, plus the latest visa updates.

Scholarship opportunities for students to apply for, alongside fresh offer letters.

Campus highlights and major news from Australian institutions.

In short, everything related to studying abroad in Australia — you’ll find it all in our weekly bulletin.

Subscribe and join us every Saturday!

This week’s highlights:

UWA supports students returning to Australia

UQ supports students returning to campus

RMIT return-to-Australia FAQ

ANU launches new accounting specialisations

Master of Accounting with internship placement

Orientation Week

Offer
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UWA Helps Students Return to Australia

An announcement from China’s Ministry of Education Centre for Student Services Abroad regarding overseas university enrolment has prompted many students to accelerate their return to Australia.

Announcement: The Ministry of Education Centre for Student Services Abroad will no longer provide credential recognition for overseas degrees and diplomas obtained through online study from Semester 1 2023 (the Southern Hemisphere autumn semester) onwards — including both new enrolments and continuing students. Where there are specific circumstances covered by applicable provisions, the Centre will assess cases individually.

UWA has moved quickly to put in place a range of support measures to help students return to campus:

1. Students who have not yet made plans to return but wish to study Semester 1 in Perth

The university encourages you to book flights, arrange accommodation, and apply for your Australian visa as soon as possible.

UWA has put in place extensive support to help students get to Perth and back on campus as soon as possible.

On the accommodation front, UWA has dedicated staff available to help students find suitable housing in Perth.

Please copy the link below and complete the form — the accommodation team will email you with options (for students returning in Semester 1):

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=8EqJBSjL2EaHFnTNtG4iJlOE-otJ1BhNhRmCHy6aAgtUOVdNS0ZQU0s1U0gyNUxXV0M2V0k1WFU4UyQlQCN0PWcu

2. Not sure when you can arrive in Australia — how should you choose your subjects?

If you plan to arrive in Perth before the census date (Semester 1 census date: 31 March), it is recommended that you log in to the course enrolment page and switch to “on-campus mode”.

If you have not yet arrived in Perth at the start of semester, please contact the university as soon as possible — they can help you plan the most suitable study schedule.

For students who are still travelling to Perth or are unable to return for genuine and reasonable reasons, some subjects will continue to be available online this semester.

UQ Supports Students Returning to Australia

Most importantly — and we cannot stress this enough — students must enrol in their courses by 17 February 2023. This is the enrolment deadline for international students studying at UQ in Semester 1 this year.

Students arriving before 20 February (start of semester)

Enrol before 17 February, select on-campus mode subjects, and begin studying in person. Semester 1 commences on 20 February 2023.

Students arriving between 20 February and 31 March

Enrol before 17 February, select external mode subjects, and commence online study.

Before 3 March, you can switch your study mode from external to on-campus via mySI-net once you arrive.

From 4 March to 31 March, contact your school — they can assist you in switching to on-campus mode where possible. For more information, refer to the Late Addition of Courses (LAOC) process. Do not cancel your external mode enrolment before your application is approved.

Students arriving after 31 March

Enrol before 17 February 2023, select external mode subjects, and study online for Semester 1 2023.

All continuing students must plan to arrive in Australia before Semester 2 2023 begins — even if it is your final semester.

RMIT Return-to-Australia FAQ 

RMIT has compiled a FAQ addressing the issues students are most concerned about, including being unable to return to Australia on time, student visas, new entry requirements, and online versus on-campus teaching.Source: RMIT official WeChat account

Q1: What if I cannot travel to Melbourne in time for Semester 1 2023?

RMIT understands that due to visa processing times, limited flight availability, and other legitimate reasons, some students may be unable to arrive in Melbourne before Semester 1 2023 begins.

If you know you will not be able to return to campus for in-person study in Semester 1 2023, or will miss some classes, you can contact your college to explore online study options. To ensure a smooth start, please reach out to your college as soon as possible through the following channels:

College of Business and Law

Contact the college via Business Connect:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/support-services/student-connect/school-college-contacts/college-business-law

STEM College, College of Design and Social Context, and Vocational Education

Contact your college via the Academic Advice Form at the link below:

https://rmit.service-now.com/connect/?id=sc_cat_item&sys_id=eb452f8bdba58c10f4d8413b3a9619d3

Once you get in touch, your college will provide advice and solutions to support your studies.

If your college agrees to online study, keep all email correspondence and supporting documentation before you return to in-person learning in Melbourne. Retain these materials carefully, as you may need to submit them together with your credential recognition application to the Ministry of Education Centre for Student Services Abroad at a later date.

Q2: By when should I arrive in Melbourne?

Please try to arrive in Melbourne before your classes or orientation activities begin.

Q3: Blended online and on-campus study.

If I start online, can I switch to in-person teaching once I arrive in Australia? Some of my subjects require on-campus attendance — can I study online first and then return to campus for the second half of the semester?

RMIT is committed to providing a blended learning experience for all students. If you need to begin your studies entirely online due to travel restrictions or other special circumstances, you will have the opportunity to engage in a wide range of on-campus and off-campus activities once you return to Australia.

RMIT can assist students in meeting their course requirements. If your programme requires on-campus attendance but you cannot guarantee in-person study for the entire semester, contact Student Connect for course-related support and solutions.

Q4: With a student visa, can I apply for a reduced study load or a leave of absence?

International students may only apply for a reduced study load or leave of absence when affected by compassionate and compelling circumstances — including circumstances related to COVID-19.

Q5: What if I cannot find suitable accommodation?

Consider Unilodge student accommodation.

Just 5–10 minutes’ walk from the RMIT campus, this brand-new student residence in Melbourne CBD features study spaces, a library, cinema, shared kitchens, and more. RMIT students who book before 19 February 2023 receive a special student discount.

Beyond the CBD student residences, Melbourne offers many other housing options including private rentals, shared housing, and homestay. Choose whatever suits you best in terms of comfort and safety.

The university has compiled a range of resources covering rental advice, housing assistance, and emergency support. Students who need help can access these via the link below:

https://www.rmit.edu.au/students/student-life/accommodation/rental-advice-support

ANU New Programme Spotlight

The ANU College of Business and Economics (CBE) has launched two new Master of Accounting specialisations — Analytics for Accounting and Sustainability and Accounting. 

What skills will students gain from the Analytics for Accounting specialisation?

In today’s highly data-driven business environment, the ability to apply data analytics in accounting is more valuable than ever. Through this specialisation, students will develop a range of accounting analytics skills, learning to use systems to examine large volumes of accounting information and generate valuable insights into financial and non-financial performance. They will learn to identify and analyse data, and apply relevant tools to solve broader management problems and support sound decision-making.

Why is the Sustainability and Accounting specialisation important in today’s business environment?

As demand for broader organisational performance information grows, sustainability reporting has become exponentially more important to business — and accounting professionals must be equipped to strengthen and deliver reliable sustainability information.

The specialisation covers foundational theories in accounting and corporate governance, the opportunities and challenges of sustainability accounting, and current research in the field. Graduates will be equipped to meet the evolving needs of businesses within both accounting and broader commercial management contexts.

Summary:

Completing either of these specialisations means gaining deep expertise in accounting analytics or sustainability accounting — two fields of growing importance to organisations and the accounting profession alike. Employers are actively seeking graduates who can rigorously analyse accounting data. Students with a thorough understanding of organisational sustainability and related reporting practices are in high demand. These specialisations offer graduates a powerful competitive edge.

Master of Accounting with Internship Placement

The University of Tasmania Launceston campus offers a Master of Professional Accounting, complete with an employment-readiness programme. On top of that, there is a bursary of up to AUD 3,000.

Available to all full-time international students commencing the UTas College of Business and Economics Launceston campus Master of Professional Accounting (MPA) in Semester 1 2023. The employment-readiness programme includes:

A guaranteed industry placement for every eligible student

A AUD 3,000 bursary in the first year of study (AUD 1,500 per semester, paid after the Census Date, across 2 semesters)

A dedicated mentor for each student, with at least two one-on-one sessions per semester;

Free English language tutoring and public speaking skills training

A wide range of career development activities, including — but not limited to — employer networking events in class, professional dress guidance, interview skills training, assistance finding part-time work while studying, and referrals for local volunteer opportunities.

Orientation Week Is Here 

Orientation Week is a series of activities for new students, helping them get to grips with enrolment, subject selection, campus tours, support services, academic and career development, and clubs and societies — and much more.

During Orientation Week, students can find all the practical information they need — setting up student accounts and university email, connecting to WiFi, how to enrol, and how to build your timetable. All of this can be sorted during Orientation.

Many new students find they need a bit of guidance when choosing subjects for the first time:

Orientation Week is the perfect time to find answers. Student centres offer one-on-one guidance with staff on subject selection and building your study plan.

Orientation Week also features a rich variety of campus events — a vital part of university life! Join in, discover clubs and societies, sign up for activities you’re interested in, and explore the campus on guided tours.

You might even pick up some free university merchandise and stationery along the way.

Orientation Week at many universities is next week — don’t miss it!

Let’s take a look at this week’s offer letters from Australian universities.

Covering offers from ANU, University of Melbourne, UNSW, Monash, University of Adelaide, UTS, and RMIT, across popular fields including business, education, IT, real estate, and translation.

Several of these offers include scholarships, which directly offset tuition fees.

When finalising your enrolment, remember to also formally accept the scholarship at the same time.

Thank you for reading all the way to the end — that wraps up this edition!

Thank you as always for your support of our Study Abroad & Migration Weekly. Your support is what motivates us to publish every Saturday.

We hope the information we share can be of help to you when you need it most.

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Study abroad in Australia, UK, Canada or New Zealand · school transfers and progression · younger student programmes · visa matters · migration pathways · regional area study — for any study-related enquiry, add Newstars Senior Consultant Faye on WeChat, QEAC No. O805.

2023