University of Sydney January 2025 Update

Please see below for updates from the University of Sydney.Attached is the latest conditional COE application form from the University of Sydney.

1. Visa Processing Time

With the Australian government's releaseMinisterial Direction No. 111 (MD111), student visas are now subject to priority processing. Due to the popularity of our courses across faculties and schools, we have reached the 80% threshold for new student visa quotas for 2025. Please note, this percentage does not reflect the enrollment capacity of each course at the University of Sydney. Due to this policy, visa processing times may be extended, with the government estimating a wait time of12 to 16 weeks. Therefore, students must consider these timelines when planning their studies. For priority 2 visa processing, we are still unclear about the process but will continue to monitor and provide updates.

2. Planning Advice

1. Students planning to start their studies in the first semester (S1) of 2025: If you have not yet applied for a visa, please do so immediately.
2. Students planning to start their studies in the second semester (S2) of 2025: It is recommended to complete all application materials and submit the visa application by April.
3. Onshore visa applications: Processing times may take up to5 to 6 months. Students on bridging visas will be protected by their existing visas while awaiting visa outcomes.
4. If students cannot obtain their visas in time, they should prepare to postpone their enrollment dates.

3. Late Arrival

The Admissions Office cannot provide specific guidance to students who fail to arrive on time. Most courses have high attendance requirements, and students should check their schedules for course start dates, exam arrangements, and assessment deadlines. Enrolled students can access necessary study materials and plan their studies throughCanvas. For further advice or assistance, please contact the relevant contacts provided on Canvas.Please refer to:When to Enrollwebsite for key enrollment dates.

4. Undergraduate Special Admissions Process Updates

1. Adjusted deadlines for special admissions applications:

a. For predicted/estimated scores: Semester 1 (S1): SAP form and predicted letter (must be signed by the principal/school director/deputy director/registrar) cannot be provided earlier than June of the previous year. Semester 2 (S2): SAP form and predicted letter cannot be provided earlier than December of the previous year. b. For high school diploma (only applicable to Semester 2): SAP form and completion certificate cannot be provided earlier than December of the previous year.

2. New minimum requirements for predicted/estimated scores:

The following qualifications are acceptable for predicted/estimated scores: GCE A Level, Singapore A Level, International Baccalaureate (IB), Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), Malaysian Higher School Certificate (STPM), South African National Senior Certificate, Irish Leaving Certificate. Requirements: Except for Singapore A Level, applicants need to achieve a predicted score that is 2 points higher than the required score for the applied course. Example: Even if students receive unconditional offers through predicted scores in the special admissions process, they still need to take exams and achieve the necessary scores.

3. Dalyell Scholars Program

Applicants admitted based on predicted/estimated scores or the first semester grades of the 12th grade from Vietnamese Gifted High Schools will not be invited to join the Dalyell Scholars Program as new students. However, they may be invited to join the program after their first year based on their performance.

Vietnamese Gifted High School Assessment

Vietnam has introduced a new assessment system where semester GPAs (CGPA) and final GPAs are no longer recorded on school reports. For applicants who have provided final grades: GPA will be calculated by averaging the final grades of all subjects listed on the school report (excluding pass/fail subjects). For applicants applying for special admissions based on the first semester grades of the 12th grade: GPA will be calculated by averaging the grades of all subjects in the first semester (excluding pass/fail subjects). Applicants need to score 0.2 points higher than the course requirements.

5. Postgraduate Special Admissions Process Updates

1. Offshore Special AdmissionsOffshore Special Admissions

• The following countries have been added: Malaysia, USA
• Students from countries not listed may still be considered on a case-by-case basis.

2. Onshore Special AdmissionsOnshore Special Admissions

Students completing qualifications at offshore campuses of Australian universities are now eligible for the onshore special admissions process (e.g., Monash Malaysia, Curtin Singapore).

3. Special Admissions Process SAP (Conditional COE) Application Deadlines:

Students must complete the application form and submit all required documents by the specified deadlines.

6. Key Admissions Dates for Semester 1, 2025

As the start date approaches, we recommend taking prompt action to ensure student visas are approved in time and registration is completed.

As this is our first Admissions Update for the year I would like to wish you all a Happy New Year for 2025! I sincerely hope you have either had a break or are about to have one. It is a new year with new challenges and I look forward to keeping you informed of changes and happenings via these regular 'Admissions Updates'.

Visa Timelines

We would like to remind our partners that following the introduction of Ministerial Direction 111 (MD111), the Australian Government has implemented priority processing for student visas. Due to the popularity of our programs across the various faculties and schools, we have now reached the 80% of visas in effect for the government's definition of new commencing students' threshold for 2025. Please note that the percentage is not a reflection of the capacity of each program at the University of Sydney.

Visa processing may take longer, with the government advising wait times of up to 12 to 16 weeks. Therefore, students must account for these timelines when planning their studies. We do not know yet how visas will be processed for priority 2 cases and will continue to monitor and provide updates. We appreciate you working with us as we navigate this change and welcome any intel from your experiences throughout the coming months.

Guidance for Your Students

As our partners, we urge you to ensure your clients are aware about visa timelines outlined by the Department of Home Affairs. Please emphasise the importance of acting promptly to avoid disruptions. We are still keen to welcome your students to our courses and believe many will be able to secure their dream course if they plan accordingly.

To assist with planning:

• Students intending to start in Semester 1, 2025, should apply for their visas immediately, if they have not already done so.
• Students intending to start in Semester 2, 2025, are recommended to finalise their documentation and lodge their visa applications by April, where possible
• Onshore visa processing will take significantly longer with Home Affairs stating wait times of 5 to 6 months. Students transitioning to a bridging visa with study rights will have the advantage of being covered while waiting for their outcomes.

If your student will not obtain their visa on time for semester commencement, they should be prepared to delay their start date

Student visas are processed and assessed by the Department of Home Affairs, and the University does not have the ability to influence processing times or outcomes.

International students who are experiencing delays in obtaining a student visa by the course commencement date should read the information available on the Student Visa webpage.

Ministerial Direction 111 does not currently apply to courses for 2026 entry. Applications for 2026 are also open now.

Late Arrival Information

The Admissions Office cannot offer specific guidance to students who are not onshore by the start of the semester. Given that most courses have high attendance requirements, it is essential for students to review their timetable for class start dates, in-person examinations, and assessment due dates. Enrolled students can access all necessary materials on Canvas to plan and prepare for their arrival. For further advice or assistance with study materials and attendance requirements for specific units, the relevant contact details are available on Canvas.

Please also refer to theWhen to Enrol website, which provides information on key enrolment dates.

Please note: updated admissions processes to assist our students and partners.

Undergraduate

Special Admissions Process Updates

We are implementing changes to enhance ourSpecial Admissions Processand better support our prospective students:

1. Revised deadline to request special admissions:

a. For Predicted/ Forecast scores:

- Semester 1: Both SAP form and Predicted letter (signed by the Principal/ School Director/ Deputy Director/ Registrar can be provided no earlier thanJune of the preceding year.

- Semester 2: Both SAP form and Predicted letter (signed by the Principal/ School Director/ Deputy Director/ Registrar can be provided no earlier thanDecember of the preceding year.

b. For High School Diploma – only applicable to Semester 2:

Both SAP form and completion letter can be provided no earlier thanDecember of the preceding year.

2. New cut off requirement for Predicted/ Forecast scores:

The qualifications accepted for Predicted/ Forecast scores are:

• GCE A Level
• Singapore A Level
• International Baccalaureate
• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education HKDSE
• Sijil Tinggi Pelajaran Malaysia STPM
• South African National Senior Certificate
• Irish Leaving Certificate

To request for UG Special Admissions Process based on Predicted/ Forecast results, for all qualifications (except Singapore A Level), applicants are required to have achieved a predicted score that is at least 2 points higher than the required for the degree applied.

Example:

Students must be reminded to continue to sit their exams and secure the necessary score even if they receive an unconditional offer via the predicted/forecast results under the UG Special Admissions Process.

3. Dalyell Scholars

Applicants who received entry under Special Admissions Process for Predicted/ Forecast results, or Vietnamese Gifted High School Year 12, Semester 1 transcript, will not be invited for Dalyell Scholars Program as a new student. Applicants may be invited to join the stream after first year of study based on their results.

Vietnamese Gifted High School assessment

Vietnam has introduced a new assessment system where semester CGPAs and final CGPAs are no longer recorded on School Reports.

For applicants who have provided final results, GPA will be calculated by taking the average of final subject grades for all listed subjects on School Reports, excluding any subjects graded only as Pass/ Fail.

For applicants who are applying for Special Admissions Process using Year 12 Semester 1 results, GPA will be calculated by taking the average of subject grades for Semester 1 for all listed subjects on School Reports, excluding any subjects graded only as Pass/ Fail. Applicants are required to have 0.2 points higher than the scores required for the degree applied.

Postgraduate

Special Admissions Process Updates

We will continue to offer a range of special admissions processes to support future international students for select postgraduate programs. Following a review of ourOnshore and Offshore Special Admissions Processes, the following updates have been made:

1. Offshore Special Admissions

The following countries have been added to the offshore special admissions process:

• Malaysia
• USA

Students from countries not listed under Participating Countries may still be considered on a case-by-case basis.

2. Onshore Special Admissions

Students completing qualifications at Australian universities' offshore campuses are now eligible for consideration under the Onshore Special Admissions Process.

3. Deadlines for Special Admissions Process Requests

Students must complete the request form and submitALLrequired documents by the specified deadlines to be considered for the process.

4. Special Admissions process for Master of Economics and Embedded Programs

TheMaster of Economicsand its embedded programs are now included in all special admissions processes. Applicants must demonstrate an excellent penultimate semester GPA, which must be at leasttwo points higherthan the final GPA required for the program they have applied for.

Key Admissions Dates for Semester 1, 2025

As the start date is fast approaching, we encourage you to take prompt action to give your student the best chance at having their student visa approved on time for enrolment.

Please refer to the below key dates for standard courses.

https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/course-planning/deadlines.html

If you wish to request a deferral and have not previously deferred for a full year, please email the Admissions team. Note that deferrals are not available for all courses and will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. Future intake offers are not guaranteed and students may be placed on a waitlist.