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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
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What is the relationship between INSEARCH and the University of Technology, Sydney (UTS)?
INSEARCH is a controlled entity of UTS, offering courses that articulate with UTS award courses. INSEARCH courses are developed in consultation with each relevant UTS faculty and the UTS Faculty Board recommends the course to the UTS Academic Board for articulation approval. The UTS executive is represented on the Insearch Limited executive board and the UTS Academic Board is represented on the INSEARCH Academic Board. |
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Can I do fewer subjects and take longer to complete an academic course?
Yes, you can take an extended option for some courses and study four subjects per semester instead of the usual academic load of five subjects. The extended option is only available for the Diploma of Business Studies and Diploma of Information Technology. |
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Can I use my INSEARCH diploma to gain entry to a post-graduate course?
Yes you can, in some cases. Students with extensive work experience have used their INSEARCH diplomas to gain entry to some post-graduate courses. For example, several INSEARCH graduates have been accepted into MBA courses at leading Sydney universities, without having to complete a bachelor degree. |
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Will I need to buy textbooks?
Yes. You must buy textbooks if you want to keep up with your coursework. New textbooks for academic courses will cost about $600 per year. Second-hand textbooks are cheaper. |
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Are my tuition fees secure at INSEARCH?
Yes. As soon as you pay your tuition fees they are held in a trust account administered by INSEARCH and are not accessed until you begin your course. |
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Is INSEARCH a private college?
No. INSEARCH is wholly owned by Insearch Limited, which is a corporate entity of UTS. UTS is a public (government-funded) Australian university. |
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What are my chances of getting the required WAM in my INSEARCH diploma for entry into UTS?
Students at INSEARCH must work hard to ensure they have the best chance of being accepted into UTS. Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) will be allocated to INSEARCH students on merit with all other applicants to UTS.
The WAM required will differ for various courses. Domestic students have very good success rates in achieving the required WAM's for UTS entry.
During 2005/2006 domestic INSEARCH graduates had the following success rates in achieving the required WAM for entry to various UTS degrees:
- 75% achieved the required WAM for the Bachelor of Business at UTS.
- 80% achieved the required WAM for the Bachelor of Arts in Design Visual Communication
- 92% achieved the required WAM for the Bachelor of Science in IT
- 89% achieved the required WAM for the Bachelor of Arts in Communication
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When is the deadline to apply to INSEARCH?
Students may apply to INSEARCH as long as there are still places available. All students are expected to attend Orientation Week sessions and places in some courses are limited so early application and acceptance of places on courses is advisable. |
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How do I apply to INSEARCH?
Applications for INSEARCH can only be considered when submitted in full, and with certified copies of your UAI (Universities Admission Index Advice) and individual subject results (Record of Achievement or Student Results Summary).
Your completed application can be sent directly to the INSEARCH registrar (PO Box K1085 Haymarket NSW 1240), or can be delivered in person to the INSEARCH student services office (10 Quay Street Haymarket). |
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Can I study part-time?
Yes, domestic students may elect to take their program over a longer period of time. However, it should be noted that INSEARCH courses are not offered part-time evening only so students need to attend lectures and tutorials that are held in the morning and afternoon. |
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What happens if I do not achieve the required WAM for UTS entry?
In the past, INSEARCH students that have not achieved the WAM for UTS entry have applied to, and been accepted at, other universities. The amount of advanced standing allowed is at the discretion of each university, and students will need to apply for this recognition of prior learning (RPL) of their INSEARCH subjects.
Some students choose to enter the workforce as the INSEARCH diploma is a recognised higher education qualification.
INSEARCH is accredited through the:
- Federal Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF)
- NSW Department of Education and Training (DET)
- Higher Education Support Act (HESA)
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What does the UTS matriculation requirement mean?
Most universities set a minimum entry level for accepting students into tertiary study. At UTS this is a UAI of 66 or equivalent.
Students that do not complete a full INSEARCH diploma are subject to this requirement, i.e. students only completing Part One of the Science and Engineering or Design programs. Because the full diploma has not been completed, UTS will still consider the original UAI and if it was below 66 will not accept the student into degree studies.
For students that complete the full diploma at INSEARCH, this qualification supersedes the UAI matriculation requirement.
It is recommended that any student undertaking Part One of a diploma has a UAI of at least 66. Students that do not have this score should undertake the full diploma program in order to satisfy matriculation requirements. |
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Can I transfer into a fast-track program once I commence at INSEARCH?
Students who do not have the required UAI for admission to the Diploma of Business and Commerce (3 semester program) can be offered a place in the Diploma of Business Studies (4 semester program) and may apply to transfer to the Diploma of Business and Commerce (3 semesters) if they complete their first semester and achieve a WAM of 80 or higher. These students will then proceed directly into the second semester of the Diploma of Business and Commerce and may complete their program in three semesters (12 months). |
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What is the difference between the INSEARCH Diploma of Business and Commerce and the INSEARCH Diploma of Business Studies?
Both of these programs are designed to match the first year of studies at UTS. The Diploma of Business and Commerce, however, is delivered at a faster pace with less academic literacy and foundation subject support. The Diploma of Business Studies contains the same content but is delivered at a slower pace with more support. |
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Will an INSEARCH diploma be recognised by employers and industry?
Yes. INSEARCH is higher education accredited and is a recognised pathway provider to the second year of university study. Your qualification, after completing a diploma, is equivalent to the first year of university study at UTS. Students choosing to exit the program at this point will have a qualification that can open doors for them to additional tertiary study, or which may stand on its own. |
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How long will it take before I find out if my application is successful?
The INSEARCH registrar's office will usually process student applications within 48 hours. During peak times, applications may take 4-5 days to process. |
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What happens if I apply to INSEARCH and then receive a University offer?
Students may apply to INSEARCH and receive an offer letter for a place.
However, it is important to note that if you have also applied to other institutions, and are undecided, you should not accept your place at INSEARCH until you have made up your mind. INSEARCH places are accepted by the payment of fees, or the submission of a FEE-HELP application (Request for FEE-HELP Assistance form). This is important to ensure that another student does not miss out on a place at INSEARCH. |
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Will INSEARCH accept mature age students?
Yes. INSEARCH will accept applications from mature age students, who should submit details of prior studies and/or work experience. |
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Is there an application fee?
No, INSEARCH does not charge an application fee. |
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Is there an enrolment fee?
No, INSEARCH does not charge an enrolment fee. |
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Why is an INSEARCH course so expensive?
INSEARCH courses are designed to closely match the content delivered in first year studies at UTS. The full cost of a first year university degree is, on average, $18,000-$20,000.
In fact, an INSEARCH diploma represents good value. In some instances the cost is actually lower than first year studies (ie $15,000 to complete the two semester Diploma of Business and Commerce) and finishing in just eight months offers many students the opportunity to earn money in the break!
The additional support and face-to-face classroom teaching time adds to the quality of the program but not to the cost. Whilst a standard business subject at UTS is usually delivered over three hours per week, students at INSEARCH will study the same content over four hours (a 25% increase in teaching).
The fast-track study options, the extra support provided and the annual cost comparison to first year university study proves that INSEARCH is a good choice for students and represents excellent value. |
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Can I apply to study at courses in the City and in the Kuring-gai campus?
UTS is a multi-campus university. Students may be offered places at either the City or Kuring-gai campuses depending on places available. Students are encouraged to apply to both campuses for CSP. |
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Is an INSEARCH diploma recognised by other universities?
In the past, INSEARCH students that have not achieved the WAM for UTS entry have applied to, and been accepted at, other universities. The amount of advanced standing allowed is at the discretion of each university, and students will need to apply for this recognition of prior learning (RPL) of their INSEARCH subjects. |
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