Campus Exchange UoN Singapore/University of Newcastle Policy

Document Number	000858
Date Approved	13 August 2008

1.      Introduction

The University is committed to the internationalisation of its curricula, to the development of graduates who are "global citizens" and to the concept of flexible delivery. (Strategic Plan 2008-2011: Building Distinction) The option of campus exchange for students between the University’s off shore campuses and its onshore campuses is a valuable strategy for achieving those outcomes.

2.      Policy Intent

This policy defines the conditions under which students may change their enrolment from an offshore to an onshore campus (or from onshore to offshore) for a fixed period of time, that is, on a temporary basis.

3.      Definitions and Acronyms

In the context of this document:

CSP means Commonwealth Supported Place;

DEEWR means the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations;

DIAC means Department of Immigration and Citizenship (Australia);

ESOS Act means Education Services for Overseas Students Act 2000;

home campus means the campus at which a student was originally admitted to their degree program;

ICA means the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority (Singapore);

National Code means the National Code of Practice for Registration Authorities and Providers of Education and Training to Overseas Students, established under the ESOS Act, 2000;

offshore campus means a campus of the University located outside Australia;

onshore campus means a campus of the University located in Australia;

OS-HELP is a loans scheme to assist eligible Commonwealth supported undergraduate students to undertake some of their program of study overseas. Students must be an Australian citizen or the holder of a permanent humanitarian visa;

PSB Academy is the University’s partner institution for its Singapore operations;

UON Singapore is the wholly owned company of the University responsible for the University’s Singapore operations.

4.      Eligibility for campus exchange

To qualify for campus exchange, students must meet the following requirements.

4.1.     Minimum completed study

i. Students whose home campus is UON Singapore who wish to study at an Australian campus should normally be heading into their final term of study.

ii. Students whose home campus is in Australia must have successfully completed at least 60 units of study.

4.2.     Indebtedness

i. Students must have no outstanding debts to the University or PSB Academy.

4.3.     Time Limits

i. Students who are changing campus either to study at UON Singapore or at UON in Australia will normally be permitted to study for a maximum of one term.

ii. International students studying within Australia must meet the requirements of the Department of Immigration and Citizenship and the Department of Education, Employment and Workplace Relations (including the National Code) whilst on exchange.

iii. International students in Singapore must meet the requirements of the Immigration and Checkpoints Authority of Singapore and any other Singapore Government departments whilst on exchange.

4.4.     Immigration Requirements

Final approval of campus exchanges will be subject to relevant Government approval by the destination country.

4.5.     Minimum GPA

Students applying for campus exchange should normally have a minimum Grade Point Average of 4.0.

4.6.     Availability of Program/Courses at destination campus

Campus exchange will only be approved if the program and appropriate courses for the student to complete their program of study are available .

5.      Fees

i. Full fee paying students attending a campus other than their home campus will be charged the fees appropriate to the home campus and will pay those fees as usual to the home campus.

ii. Commonwealth supported students studying the same program will be charged the student contribution applied to the units of study in which they are enrolled.

6.      Financial Support

Commonwealth Supported Students

i. Commonwealth supported students enrolled in full time study with an offshore campus of the University may be eligible for OS-HELP, provided they meet the OS-HELP terms and conditions including completion of 80 units of study.

7.      Quota on campus exchanges

i. There will be no upper limit on the number of UON Singapore students who wish to study in Australia or the number of domestic students seeking to study at UON Singapore.

ii. Ideally, the number of students on exchange from UON Singapore will equal the number of students on exchange from UON Newcastle.

8.      Responsibility of Student

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they enrol in the appropriate courses to meet the requirements of their program, maintain satisfactory academic progress and comply with University Rules and Policies.

Approval Authority	Acdemic Senate
Date Approved	13 August 2008
Date for Review	13 August 2011