Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

I’m worried that I may not arrive in Brisbane in time for Orientation or the first week of classes, what should I do?

Please contact the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty as soon as you arrive.

If you can't commence by the start date on your offer letter for reasons beyond your control email: iaslatearrivals@uq.edu.au

What sessions are compulsory for me to attend? Where can I find information about everything that’s happening during Orientation?

All commencing HASS students will receive a series of emails leading up to O-Week (Orientation Week) including registration links to attend your compulsory orientation sessions. All online sessions will be conducted via Zoom. 

Please visit HASS New Students page to start your UQ orientation.

     To complete your orientation, you need to go to the following sessions:

1. HASS Undergraduate Welcome or HASS Postgraduate Welcome 
2. Undergraduate Program Information Sessions and Postgraduate Program Information Sessions - specific session for your program to ask questions about your degree structure and course choices. 

We also recommend attending one or two recommended sessions during How to HASS Week. 

Don't forget to follow our HASS Social Media channels. 
 

How can I engage with the HASS community? Where do I find information on events and initiatives that I can participate in to connect with peers? 

There are many fantastic ways to get involved at UQ and with the HASS Faculty. 

Check out the Enrich Your Studies Experience web page for information about: 

1. Your Life on Campus
   • Volunteering in HASS: Contribute to HASS events such as orientation, networking nights, and celebrations as a student volunteer.
   • Cohort Building Events: Participate in cohort events throughout the semester to build friendships and connect with your peers and staff. 
   • Students as Partners: Collaborate with staff to run a project or test an idea to enhance the student experience at UQ. 
      
2. Your Professional Profile
   • Industry and Career Mentoring: Get 1:1 mentoring with an industry mentor in your discipline!
   • HASS Career Seminars: Learn from key industry panel guests about career opportunities within your field of study.
   • Work Integrated Learning: Learn about what work experience opportunities are available to students in HASS. 

Check out the UQ Get Involved webpage for more opportunities to create connections and friendships at UQ. 

What should I do if I think I am going to fail?

First have a chat with your Course Coordinator to express your concerns about your assessment. Depending on your circumstances and the time of semester, there may a number of options available to you (including withdrawing from your course). Contact your Faculty for advice on withdrawing and your study plan for future semesters. Our Student Life team offer learning workshops and Learning Advisers, which may also assist you.

I failed a course/s last semester, what does that mean for my study plan? Where can I go for advice?

Please contact the Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Faculty Student Administration by visiting our office Room 207, Forgan Smith Building, email hass@uq.edu.au, or phone 3365 1333.

I want to change my major – what should I do?

You can change your major on My SI-Net – Enrolments – Plans.

Students can update their academic plan (majors/minors/field of study) themselves via mySI-net. To do this:

1. Log into mySI-net
2. Navigate to Program, then plans using the mySI-net left hand menu
3. The current plan information will be displayed. You can drop a plan or add a plan using the links provided.

If you experience any issues with changing your plan using mySI-net, please contact the HASS Faculty by email (hass@uq.edu.au) and request the changes to be made. Please provide in your email your name, student number, current plan and new plan changes.
 

I want to change my program – what should I do?

International students wishing to change to another program can lodge an internal program change request via the myRequests tab in mySI-net.

Important information about changing your program can be found here.

How do I get a copy of my UQ transcript/Studies Report?

How do I apply for credit for previous studies?

If you have completed study at another tertiary institution you may be eligible to gain credit for the previous studies if the course/s are deemed to be of a similar standard and content to a UQ course.

For an indication of what credit you may be eligible for, the University has created a UQ Credit Precedent Database.

This database is a search tool (Guide only) that can help you determine your eligibility for credit by looking at the precedents established for courses and programs, previously assessed for credit by UQ.

If your previous study is not in the Credit Precedent Database, you can still submit a Credit or Exemption request.

Visit the Programs and Courses website to review the UQ course profiles to estimate the equivalent match to your prior study.

See Check credit eligibility for more information.

To apply for credit, complete the credit or exemption request (student login required) online and upload details of the courses (course profiles) previously studied along with a copy of your official transcript (either scanned or via secure URL such as My eQuals).

Detailed information about applying for credit or exemptions can be found in the Credit for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning Policy. 

What courses are available during Summer Semester?

The offerings for Summer Semester courses, which can be found on the UQ Program and Courses page.

How many courses should I do each semester? Can I complete more or less courses in a semester?

What are the Academic Integrity Modules? Do I have to complete them?

I’ve received a 'Progression Alert' via email – what is it? What do I have to do? 

You will be issued a progression alert if your previous Academic Standing was None or Satisfactory and in the current Study Review Period.

To view these reasons, please refer to ‘For study completed from Summer Semester 2021/22’ section on the Progression Alerts and Interventions webpage.

The purpose of a progression alert is to encourage you to seek assistance early, to avoid receiving a progression intervention notice in a future semester where you will need to demonstrate why you should be permitted to remain enrolled. 

You can seek academic advice from your Faculty or learning assistance from Student Services. 

I’ve received a 'Progression Intervention Notice' via email – what is it? What do I have to do? 

There are many reasons why you will be issued a Progression Intervention Notice. For these reasons, please refer to 'What is a Progression Intervention Notice?' section on the Progression Alerts and Interventions web page. 

If you have received a Progression Intervention Notice, you will need to submit a Progression Improvement Plan. Find out more about Progression Improvement plans. 

What is the difference between a 'Program', 'Unit' and 'Course'?

A program is made up of courses specified under academic program rules which you need to complete in order to gain a degree. A degree is an award that is a standard university qualification and is recognised worldwide. 

A course is a sequence of classes that focuses on one area in an academic discipline. A discipline can be referred to as a major, minor, extended major or a field of study. Therefore, when following a major, you will enrol in courses that concentrates on that major. 

A unit is a value assigned to each course and represents the hours of work a student is required to complete a course. Most courses are valued at 2 units each and some are valued at 4 units each. 

Every course is given a code, made up of four letters and four numbers (i.e. COMU1100). The four letters are an abbreviation of the academic discipline, while the four numbers are used to uniquely identify the course. 

First-year undergraduate students normally only enrol in courses that begin with a '1' - these are the right level for new students. 

Postgraduate courses usually begin with a '6', '7' or '8' and programs might offer a mix of different course levels. 

How do I choose my courses each semester? What courses do I need to complete? 

You will enrol in courses listed in your Program and Course requirement. You can find your program course requirement via the Programs and Courses web page. 

For understanding how UQ courses are structured and how to enrol in courses, please see the Choose course advice page and the How to Enrol advice page. 

What kind of assessment is required for each course? 

You can find the kind of assessment required for each course by viewing the Course ECP (Electronic Course Profile) on the course home page. 

To view an Electronic Course Profile, you can either search the course code on the UQ website, click on the course code in the program plan and requirements page, or on the Programs and Courses web page. 

Si-net won't allow me to enrol in a course that is included in my study plan, what should I do? 

There may be a number of reasons why you are unable to enrol in a course. The course may be restricted to specific program cohorts or requirement permission to enrol. For assistance, please contact the relevant School. 

 

What do I do if the course/timetable slot I want is full or I have an unavoidable timetable clash? 

For assistance, please contact the relevant School. Alternatively, you can email hass.mytimetable@uq.edu.au - please include the relevant course code (i.e. POLS1201) in your email subject heading so the School can address your query a lot faster. 

 

How do I plan my class timetable? 

Please visit here for further information.

Can I do an internship while studying at UQ?

There are different internship opportunities available during the summer and winter breaks. Please visit our website here for more information. 

What extra-curricular activities are available for me in the HASS Faculty?

Please visit our website here for more information. 

Can I work while studying in Australia? 

Most international students with a student visa are allowed to work while studying in Australia. Please visit our website here for more advice. 

How do I find accommodation in Brisbane? 

Please visit our website here for more information about your accommodation options. 

Where can I find out more about life in Brisbane? 

Please visit our website here for information about Transport options, Living expenses, Health & Safety, Funs things to see and do, and much more. 

What date is my Graduation ceremony?

Dates for graduation periods are usually set one year in advance and can be found in the Academic Calendar. 

Use these dates as a guide, but remember ceremonies may not be scheduled on each day of the graduation period, and these dates are subject to change. Always consult the Academic Calendar for the most up-to-date information. 

Please visit the UQ Graduations website here for further information about all graduation ceremonies. 

I want my family to attend my graduation ceremony – how can I get an invitation letter from UQ so that they can fly to Australia for the event?

If you have friends or family travelling to Brisbane to attend your ceremony, please find below some information about getting a letter of invitation for them, which UQ is more than happy to organise. Please click here for more information.

You can also request the letter via our website.