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International Student Orientation

Pre-arrival

Welcome to the pre-arrival section

This section gives you information and links that help you prepare for life and study in Australia even before you leave home. Complete the self-reflection questions at the beginning of the section to ensure the course you are undertaking meets your needs. Use this section to help you organise accommodation, plan, and prepare for your journey, as well as create a checklist for what you will do when you arrive in Australia.

Preparing to move to Australia

Self-reflection questions

  1. Will moving to Australia to study meet my personal and professional goals?
  2. Does my degree of choice meet my short and long term professional/career goals?
  3. Do I understand not all degrees offered include a clinical placement as part of the degree?
  4. Do I understand where I will be living when I reach Australia?
  5. Do I understand where my Australian accommodation is located in relation to the University of Wollongong campus? (You may be enrolled at either Wollongong campus or Liverpool campus)?
  6. Do I understand how much of my time will be committed to study? (12 hours per subject per week is expected)
  7. Do I understand I may be required to complete an English language course prior to commencing my degree of choice?
  8. Am I aware that this level of study may require me to seek learning support and additional support services? (This will depend on individual personal and academic support needs).

Important information

Before you start we encourage you to read the degree course description and handbook for the course of your choice. Links to degrees offered in the School of Nursing relevant to international students are listed below. It is expected that students will allocate 12 hours per week to each subject, including any online activities, completion of prescribed readings and assessment tasks. Once you are familiar with your course of choice, complete the self-reflection questions at the beginning of this section.

Please check if your degree of choice meets your needs. For example, the Master of Nursing International degree does not offer a clinical placement or automatically lead to an Australian Registered Nurse (RN) qualification. Additional assessments may be required for Australian RN registration depending on your individual qualifications. For further information on pathways to Australian registration visit Information for Internationally Qualified Nurses and Midwives.

Moving to Wollongong

With affordable rooms and options to live on-campus, near the beach or in the city, there is a UOW student residence to meet everyone's needs and wishes. All new students are guaranteed a fully-furnished room in UOW’s supportive and secure student accommodation.

Students who will be living in the Wollongong campus area, details are on the UOW airport pick-up site.

For information on how to travel to and from Wollongong and Liverpool campuses from the North/ South/ East/ West visit the NSW Trip Planner.

Opal cards – International students must use an adult Opal card. Opal cards can be ordered online for delivery to an Australian address within 5 to 7 business days. Adult and Child/Youth Opal cards are also available over the counter from most retailers, including most convenience stores and newsagents.

  • Ordering and opal card: For information on how to order an opal card visit UOW Opal Card Information.
  • On-Campus: opal cards can be purchased from the Uni Shop next to the National Australia Bank.
  • Opal Card Online

Check out our pre-arrival checklist for information for International students.

As an international student, it is a requirement of your student visa that you have student health cover for the duration of your study in Australia. Bupa is the University's chosen Overseas Health Cover (OSHC) provider.

If you have any questions about your enrolment or studying at UOW, please call us on +61 2 4221 3218 or email futurestudents@uow.edu.au Or check out our Enrolment FAQs page for self-help information.

Hear from current International students