University of Sydney November Update (International Admissions CAP Update, New International Students Under Review Will Be Offered Admission in Rounds, Three Canadian Universities Found Academic Dishonesty, Digital Scores Required for Medical Examinations; Computer Science Master's Degree for Non-First-Tier Universities Increased to 87 Points)

Please see below for updates from the University of Sydney.

As the commencement date for Semester 1, 2025 approaches, I would like to share some important admission updates to better guide your students.

1. International Admissions CAP Update

The university is closely monitoring admissions for undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Due to unprecedented interest in our programs and a large number of applications already received for Semester 1, 2025,there are very limited places available for new international students (NOSC).We strongly recommend that partners shift their focus to Semester 2 admissions to prioritize processing submitted applications.

Processing of NOSC applications already in the system

Applications for Semester 1, 2025will be assessed in rounds and offers will be issued accordingly.Some applicants may be placed on a waitlist and given priority when spots become available.

Please note that applicants on the waitlist may receive offers based on priority. Applicants not ranked high enough will be notified that their application has lapsed.

Additionally, as we approach our course quota limits,any offers not fully accepted or lacking payment evidence will be withdrawn, and applicants will be notified via email.

Exempt (Non-NOSC) applicants include:

Please note that new students exempt from the government's overseas enrollment cap (Non-NOSC) will be assessed normally. We encourage you to submit these Non-NOSC applications as usual.

Applicants meeting the following criteria will be exempt from the government's enrollment restrictions:

• Current students at the University of Sydney or those who have completed their studies at the University of Sydney within the last 12 months (e.g., studied at the University of Sydney in 2024 and applying for 2025 enrollment)
• Higher Degree by Research students
• Non-student visa holders
• Exchange and visiting students
• Australian Government sponsored scholars and visa holders
• Other students sponsored by the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence
• Students from the Pacific and Timor-Leste
• Foreign government scholarship holders

Additionally, we remind you that the University of Sydney has published a FAQ page to provide you with useful information. This page will be continuously updated as information becomes available.

For students who have accepted offers for packaged courses (including the University of Sydney Language Centre and University of Sydney Foundation Program) and current University of Sydney students, offers will remain valid until their results are released, as we have reserved spots for these students.

Applicants applying for credit may choose to cancel their credit application, accept the offer to secure a spot, and reapply for credit after enrollment opens.

2. 'Apply Now' Page

The University of Sydney's 'Apply Now' page will soon be updated to more clearly distinguish between students subject to the Australian Government's enrollment cap and exempt students.

This change aims to help prospective students better understand their eligibility and the admissions situation under the new categories. The updated page will include detailed explanations and examples to ensure all applicants can easily identify their category and make informed decisions about their applications.

If the enrollment semester is not displayed in the enrollment year drop-down box, it may be due to the course being full, the application deadline for that semester has passed, or the course does not accept applications for that semester.

3. Qualification Verification Update

Recently, the university's admissions team has foundfraudulent documents in application materials from the following universities:

• York University
• Carleton University
• University of Alberta

To reduce the risk of receiving fraudulent documents from the US and Canada, the admissions team will require all applicants with qualifications from these countriesto submit a digital transcript (if available), or have the agent confirm that they have seen the original or an electronically signed transcript.

For students who have completed the admission decision and meet the qualifications from the above Canadian universities, the admissions team will take the following verification steps:

• Students who have accepted offers: The admissions team has contacted students and agents to request that they provide a digital transcript as soon as possible to proceed with enrollment after it opens.
• Students who have received offers: The offer letter has been updated to require a digital copy of the transcript. Once the required document is received, we will update the offer.
• Students on the waitlist: We have reissued conditional offers to these students, requiring the submission of a digital copy of the transcript. Once the required document is received, we will place the student back on the waitlist.
• Students deferring enrollment: Students who previously received an unconditional offer letter but did not submit a digital transcript will need to provide the required transcript if they apply for a deferral.

We understand that Carleton University currently cannot provide digital transcripts, so all academic documents issued by the university will undergo source verification. Admission outcomes for students with qualifications from this university may take longer to process.

4. Changes to Postgraduate Computer Science Course Admission Requirements

To continue maintaining our high standards and offer places to the best academic applicants, the School of Computer Science has reviewed their admission requirements and will increase the GPA requirement for Chinese qualifications.

Effective December 1, 2024, all applications with Chinese qualifications submitted on or after this date will be assessed according to the new admission requirements.

Any applications submitted before December 1, 2024, will still be assessed according to the old GPA requirements.

Any lapsed/withdrawn applications and new applications submitted after December 1, 2024, will be assessed using the new GPA requirements.

5. Overseas Health Insurance Policy Number

Please note that if your student requests the university to arrange overseas health insurance when accepting the offer, we will arrange health insurance through our preferred provider, Bupa Success Overseas Health Insurance. The OSHC policy will only be effective after course enrollment opens and after they receive an email inviting them to enroll. The University of Sydney's enrollment period opens on November 25, 2024. If your student needs the OSHC policy before applying for a visa, please send your request to the admissions office, and we can provide the necessary assistance to facilitate the visa application process.

We understand that these upcoming intakes are challenging for all involved and we would like to extend our gratitude for all your continued support, especially during our implementation of Government imposed caps. Your support and understanding is much appreciated!

As the Semester 1, 2025 commencement is fast approaching, I am writing to share some important admissions updates so you can better guide your students.

International CAP Update

The University continues to closely monitor our degree offerings at both the undergraduate and postgraduate coursework levels.

Due to an overwhelming level of interest in our programs and a significant number of applications already received for Semester 1, 2025, we have a very limited number of places available for New Overseas Student Commencement (NOSC) students. We strongly encourage our partners to move their focus onto the Semester 2 intake for NOSC applications as we prioritise those that have already been submitted.

What Happens with NOSC Applications Already in the System

NOSC applicants with an active application for Semester 1, 2025 will be assessed, and offers will be issued on a round-by-round basis. Applicants placed on the waitlist, as applicable, will be considered for any spots that become available.

Please note that applicants who are waitlisted may be ranked for an offer. Those who are not ranked high enough to receive an offer will be notified that their application has been lapsed.

In addition, as we approach our program quotas, any offers not fully accepted or lacking payment evidence will be withdrawn, and applicants will be notified via email.

Which Applications Should Our Partners Submit for Semester 1, 2025?

Please note that applicants exempt from the proposed new government cap on overseas commencements (Non-NOSC applicants) will be assessed through our normal processes. We encourage you to submit applications for these Non-NOSC applicants as usual.

Applicants who are exempt (Non-NOSC) from the proposed government’s new overseas commencement cap include:

• Current students at the University of Sydney and within a maximum 12-month period since completion of previous candidature with the University. Example, those who studied at the University of Sydney in 2024 and are applying for 2025 commencement.
• Higher Degree by Research students
• Non-student visa holders
• Study abroad and exchange students
• Australian Government sponsored scholars and visa holders
• Other Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade or Defence-sponsored students
• Students from the Pacific and Timor Leste
• Foreign government scholarship holders

If your applicant has applied for a foreign government scholarship or sponsorship, we recommend that you contact the Admissions Office as soon as possible.

Additionally, we remind you that the University of Sydney has released a page dedicated toFrequently Asked Questionsto provide you with helpful information. This page will continue to be updated as information becomes available.

Offer holders with packaged courses, including the Centre for English Teaching and University of Sydney Foundation packages, as well as current University of Sydney enrolled students, will have their offers remain valid until their results are released, as we have reserved spots for these students.

Applicants who applied for credit but have not yet received an outcome can choose to cancel their applicant credit application, accept their offer to secure your place and then re-apply for student credit once enrolment opens.

‘Apply now’ Web Page

TheApply Nowpage for courses at the University of Sydney will soon be updated to provide clearer distinctions between Australian Government’s capped students and exempt students. This change aims to help prospective students better understand their eligibility and the availability of intakes under the new categories. The updated page will include detailed explanations and examples to ensure all applicants can easily identify their category and make informed decisions about their applications.

If the semester intake is not displayed in the entry year drop-down box, then the semester is not available for applications due to either the course reaching capacity, the application deadline has passed for that intake, or the course does not take applications for that intake.

Qualification Verification Update

Recently, the University’s Admission team has observed an increase in fraudulent documentation from the following universities:

• York University
• Carleton University
• University of Alberta

To mitigate the risk of receiving fraudulent documentation from the US and Canada, the Admissions team will now require all applicants with qualifications from these countries to submit a digital transcript where available, or a transcript confirmed by the agent that the original or digitally signed transcript has been sighted.

To distinguish between a document with an electronic signature and one without, agents should look for a digital certificate or a unique verification code embedded within the document. It’s important to note that if the digital transcript is printed, the electronic signature will no longer be visible or verifiable. Therefore, agents must stamp the transcript only if they have personally viewed the original electronic version with the signature. This stamp indicates that they have verified the authenticity of the electronic signature. This verification process is a crucial responsibility outlined in the agent agreement, ensuring that only authenticated transcripts are accepted.

For current applications with an admissions decision finalised based on qualifications from one of the three Canadian universities listed above, the Admissions team will proceed with the following verification steps:

• For students who have accepted an offer: the Admissions team has reached out to students and agents to request that they provide their digital transcript as soon as possible before they are able to proceed with enrolment once the enrolment is open.
• For students who have received an admissions offer: the admissions offer letter has been updated to include a condition for submitting a digital copy of the transcript. Once the required document is received, we will issue the updated admissions offer letter.
• For students currently on the waitlist: we have reissued a conditional offer to these students, requiring the submission of a digital copy of the transcript. Once we receive the required document, we will place the student back on the waitlist.
• For students who are deferring an offer: students who received an unconditional offer letter for a previous intake without a digital transcript will be required to provide the required transcript if they request a deferral.

We understand that digital transcripts are currently unavailable for Carleton University, so all academic documents issued by the university are undergoing a back-to-source verification process. Please expect a longer turnaround time for receiving an admissions outcome for students with a qualification from this university.

Postgraduate Computer Science Courses Entry Requirements Change

To continue with our high-quality standards and offer places to the best academic applicants, the School of Computer Science has reviewed their entry requirements and will increase the GPA requirement for Chinese qualifications.

Effective from the 1^stDecember 2024, all applications with qualifications from China submitted on or after this date will be assessed as per the new entry requirements.

Any application submitted before the 1^stDecember 2024 will still be assessed as per the old GPA requirement.

Any application that was lapsed/withdrawn and a new application is submitted after the 1^stDecember 2024, the new GPA requirement will be used for assessment.

By implementing these revised GPA requirements, we aim to encouragenon-211students to strive for excellence,ultimately enhancingthe overall quality of our student body.

Overseas Health Cover Policy Number

As a reminder, if your student requested the University to arrange OSHC on their behalf when they accepted their offer, we will arrange their OSHC through our preferred provider, Bupa Success Overseas Health Cover. The OSHC policy will only be available once enrolment is open for the course, and after they have received an email inviting them to enrol.

The University of Sydney’s enrolment period opens on the 25^thof November 2024. If your student needs the OSHC policy earlier to apply for their visa, please email the Admissions office with your request and we can provide what is needed to assist with the visa application process.

Kind regards,

Wencong Chai
Director, Admissions
Sydney Future Students