Campus support - University of Wollongong

The thought of moving to a new place can be both exciting and nerve-racking in equal parts. You're moving to Wollongong to get an education, but what about making friends and finding a happy, healthy life balance too? Don't worry – at UOW we aim to make all of this as easy as possible. Below we have tried to answer all the questions you may have now, but you can always contact us if there is something else you'd like to know.

Where can I find resources to make studying easier?

StartSmart introduces you to the UOW academic environment and helps you understand your student responsibilities. StartSmart will show you how to find and evaluate relevant information to use in assessment tasks, and develop strong academic integrity practices.

Visit StartSmart and CareerSmart.

How can I improve my career opportunities?

UOW Careers & Employability (formerly Careers Central) offers programs including internships, team challenges, voluntary work experience, job search, job interview rehearsals and professional resume reviews.

Visit Careers & Employability.

The UOW CareerStart module gets you thinking about your career from day one, while each and every subject will build the core skills essential for any career, regardless of your degree to make sure you have a plan for the future.

UOWx connects you with valuable co-curricular activities that are offered at the University of Wollongong. The personal and professional development that you gain through these activities is formally recognised through the UOWx Record and Award.

Visit UOWx.

How can I get help with my subjects?

Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) is a free academic assistance program where you can learn from PASS Leaders – students who have already successfully completed the subjects you’re taking. The program involves group study to help you succeed in specific subjects.

Sessions integrate study tools and course specific exam techniques to maximise your understanding of the subject, in a casual and relaxed environment.

Visit PASS.

We can all benefit from help with study from time to time, so UOW Learning Development offers a range of free resources, classes and consultations to all enrolled students seeking to improve their academic performance.

Visit Learning Development.

Community, cultural & academic support for international students

UOW supports international students with range of programs designed to help you settle into living and studying in Australia.

Learn more about International Student Programs

Gayani:

I'm Gayani Gunasekera and I'm originally from Sri Lanka, and I'm a PhD student with the Faculty of Business, and also I'm an international student ambassador.

As an international student I was very happy with my experience here because I felt supported. I felt secure and I felt looked after, and taken care of in terms of my transition and also my academics.

Xinru:

Our uni is very different. We have a Chinese community support for our students. So once they arrive here they won't feel lonely because we are here to help them not only to start their new life here, but also to improve their academic performance.

Alissa:

So there's a really broad and diverse range of activities, events and programming that we have developed alongside with our partners to try and ensure that when international students come and study here, that they have access to all of those connections, and sharing and learning opportunities.

Gayani:

Now if someone asked me where your home is I have to think because Wollongong has become home. I guess that's my greatest achievement for a student coming from Sri Lanka.

Xinru:

Having this community in UOW is very good because it can help students to get involved in the local community, and to step out of their comfort zone and talk to different people and meet different people.

Alissa:

For our international students, we want them to be able to participate fully, so that means integrating into the wider community. Not just the campus community; meeting community people as well as other students from different cultures, and domestic students as well. So lots of our activities support those sorts of connections and relationship building.

Xinru:

Study in a different country is not that difficult. It is quite easy and we can help them have a very wonderful life here as well.

Alissa:

I think it's a really positive place for international students and a really beautiful environment which is really supportive. I think University of Wollongong is a really, really positive place to study.

Gayani:

I'm Gayani Gunasekera and I'm originally from Sri Lanka, and I'm a PhD student with the Faculty of Business, and also I'm an international student ambassador.

As an international student I was very happy with my experience here because I felt supported. I felt secure and I felt looked after, and taken care of in terms of my transition and also my academics.

Xinru:

Our uni is very different. We have a Chinese community support for our students. So once they arrive here they won't feel lonely because we are here to help them not only to start their new life here, but also to improve their academic performance.

Alissa:

So there's a really broad and diverse range of activities, events and programming that we have developed alongside with our partners to try and ensure that when international students come and study here, that they have access to all of those connections, and sharing and learning opportunities.

Gayani:

Now if someone asked me where your home is I have to think because Wollongong has become home. I guess that's my greatest achievement for a student coming from Sri Lanka.

Xinru:

Having this community in UOW is very good because it can help students to get involved in the local community, and to step out of their comfort zone and talk to different people and meet different people.

Alissa:

For our international students, we want them to be able to participate fully, so that means integrating into the wider community. Not just the campus community; meeting community people as well as other students from different cultures, and domestic students as well. So lots of our activities support those sorts of connections and relationship building.

Xinru:

Study in a different country is not that difficult. It is quite easy and we can help them have a very wonderful life here as well.

Alissa:

I think it's a really positive place for international students and a really beautiful environment which is really supportive. I think University of Wollongong is a really, really positive place to study.

Will I make friends?

UOW students come from all walks of life, so no matter who you are, where you're from, or what you’re interested in, there is sure to be a group to suit your interests. A good place to start is to check out UOW’s 125 clubs and societies that cover everything from different sports and hobbies to study areas and cultures.

Visit Clubs & Societies.

UOW Pride Network is a visible network of empathetic people who are allies of students and staff identifying as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, transsexual or intersex.

Visit UOW Pride Network.

The Woolyungah Indigenous Centre provides programs, services and facilities to encourage and support tertiary education among Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Woolyungah also coordinates an Alternative Admissions Program for Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander future students.

Visit Woolyungah Indigenous Centre.

What if I need help managing my personal life and study?

If you have an issue that is affecting your study, the Student Support Coordinators can help. They also provide programs supporting student equity and diversity both within faculties and across campus, and assist international students settle into life in Australia.

Visit Student Support Coordinators.

UOW also provides a free and confidential counselling service, available five days a week to assist you with personal, study or work related difficulties. Counselling can involve identifying and choosing between options, learning new skills to cope with problems, gaining a greater understanding of what is occurring, or being supported while recovering from a significant life event.

Visit Counselling Services.

UOW Security supports a safe and secure campus environment with trained a licensed security officers who can respond in an emergency, or assist with first aid, lost property and after-dark escorts. They operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Visit UOW Security.