General Sponsored Student FAQs

All commencing international students and sponsored students are required to arrive in time for Orientation. If you are an Australia Awards student, you must arrive in time for the Introductory Academic Program or as required if enrolled in pre-course English or Foundation Studies.

Please refer to the lastest arrival information to prepare for the commencing semester. 

Attend a Getting Started session. This session is recommended for all new students, and compulsory for all new international students. 

We recommend that you attend your School and Faculty academic sessions during Orientation Week and contact your School to discuss the requirements of your program with an Academic Advisor. The University also offers a number of Pre-Semester programs which can help with the transition into studying at UQ.

Please ensure that you enrol in courses by the due date. 

Commencing Higher Degree by research students in Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are required to initially attend a meeting with their enrolling unit’s HDR Liaison Officer (HLO) and arrange for the enrolling unit induction.

See UQ Living for comprehensive information on accommodation and how to plan your arrival.

Student Services run Accommodation Information Sessions for newly arrived students. You are strongly encouraged to attend one of these sessions before making any permanent accommodation arrangements. 

Translink coordinates the bus, train, and ferry services across South East Queensland. Type your destination in the Journey Planner or free app to find the best route. If you plan on using public transport frequently, purchase a Go Card from train stations and participating newsagencies. Once you receive your Student ID card you can apply for a concession Go Card.

See Getting to St Lucia for further transport information.

Download the free UQnav app for iPhones and Android phones or use the interactive maps on the UQ website to find your way around the UQ campuses.

New coursework students must attend a Getting Started session, enrol and then wait 24 hours before applying for an ID card. New HDR students can apply for an ID card 24 hours after completing the online induction.

See Starting at UQ for locations, times and further information.

The University has a dedicated team within Student Life to assist students with accessibility requirements.

See Disability Services for further information on support for students with a disability, illness or injury.

If an emergency occurs on campus you must call UQ Security on 3365 3333 or 1800 800 123 (24 hours). UQ campuses have security call points in strategic locations and are patrolled 24-hours-a-day. UQ SafeZone is an easy-to-use, location-based application for mobile devices that can connect you directly with UQ security officers or emergency services during any type of first aid or emergency situation on UQ campuses and sites.

If you are off-campus, dial Triple Zero (000) for Fire, Ambulance and Police around Australia.

Please be sure to report all critical incidents and emergency situations to your Regional Coordinator as soon as possible.

Please make sure you check on the level of OSHC your sponsorship covers. If your sponsor does not cover your OSHC and this cost is covered by you, then you will need to make the arrangements to upgrade through your selected provider.

If your sponsorship covers you for Single OSHC and you decide that you would like your family to join you, please contact the Allianz representative in the Student Centre to discuss upgrading your cover from single to family cover. Please be aware that you will need to cover the additional cost of upgrading to family cover.

If you need to upgrade from single to family coverage prior to your arrival in Australia please contact your Regional Coordinator in the International Scholarships Unit to assist you in obtaining an OSHC Allianz Insurance single cover certificate in order to contact Allianz.

You must have approval from your sponsor prior to applying to the UQ Abroad Office if you wish to go on exchange. 

If you need to return home due to a family emergency please contact the Sponsored Students Unit at sponsored.students@uq.edu.au before leaving. We may need to await the advice of your sponsor.

Please remember to check the Students and parents - COVID-19 advice page and check on travel restrictions and border closures that may limit your ability to return home.

Yes. Please contact your Regional Coordinator as soon as possible to let them know as they can assist you in checking the conditions of your scholarship and directing you to available support services. 

Any changes to your academic program must be approved by your sponsor before a program change can be approved. If you are considering a program change, please contact your Regional Coordinator as soon as possible, and they can assist in liaising with your sponsor.

Generally, as an international student and as a sponsored student, you must maintain a full-time study load throughout your program. There are limited exceptions to this such as a Faculty-approved intervention strategy or if you are ahead in your studies. Please contact your Regional Coordinator if you have concerns.

This is dependent on the individual conditions of your sponsorship. It is recommended that you alert your Regional Coordinator and sponsor as early as possible as extension requests can often take a number of months to be considered. If an extension is granted, you will need to provide The University of Queensland with an updated Financial Guarantee and extend your visa.

If you are concern about your academic progress, it is important that you consult with your Regional Coordinator/Student Contact Officer on the issues you are experiencing and to guide you through the learning support available at UQ.  Course Coordinators and Academic Advisors are also there to assist if you are worried about course content and meeting program requirements.

Student Services and the UQ Library offer a range of workshops and other support to help you develop academic and technical skills. 

In some cases, yes, your Regional Coordinator is required to send results to sponsors at the end of each semester. This is dependent on our agreement with your sponsor.

As an HDR student, you must reach certain milestones with your program. As a sponsored student, it is very important that you stay on track or advise the Graduate School and your Regional Coordinator, if you are having trouble or unable to meet a milestone this may affect your sponsorship or progress.

You can contact your Regional Coordinator either by phone, email or by coming into the office. View staff contact details.

If your question does not appear on the above list, please either contact the Sponsored Students Unit at sponsored.students@uq.edu.au or visit my.UQ.