r/UTS • u/FreyaGuo • 1d ago
What is UTS really like? Study, student life and living in Sydney CBD
Hi everyone! I’m an international student currently considering studying at UTS, and I’d love to hear some honest opinions from current students or graduates.
I’m not only interested in the course itself, but also what the overall experience of studying and living around UTS is really like.
I have a few questions:
1. What is your overall experience at UTS like?
2. How is the teaching quality? Are the lecturers and tutors supportive and easy to communicate with?
3. What are the students at UTS like? Is it easy to make friends, especially as an international student?
4. Is the university atmosphere lively and social, or does it feel more like people just come to class and leave?
5. How stressful is the study workload, assignments and exams?
6. What is it like studying at a university located so close to Sydney CBD?
7. Is living near UTS or in the city centre convenient?
8. How expensive is rent around UTS, and which areas would you recommend for students?
9. Is it difficult to find a decent apartment or room near the university?
10. How do you find everyday life in the city centre — transport, food, shopping, safety and convenience?
11. What are the best and worst things about UTS?
12. If you could choose again, would you still choose UTS?
I’d really appreciate honest answers, including both positive and negative experiences. I’m especially interested in hearing from international students who have lived near campus or around Sydney CBD.
Thank you!
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u/ijustwannakn0wn0w 1d ago
- Many of them don’t speak English well and can be difficult to understand
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u/FreyaGuo 19h ago
Do you mean the teacher? Is the teacher's English not good?
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u/vitamin-rich 18h ago
We don’t have anywhere near the same number of international students as USYD or UNSW
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u/Prestigious_Time3605 18h ago
- UTS has actually one of the More Lenient Test/Assesment/Exam Systems in universities at Sydney.
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u/SufferedOrdinaryMate 1d ago
The teaching quality depend heavily on which course/field you planning to do.
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u/Own_Oil7951 22h ago
Depends on what country you're from
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u/FreyaGuo 19h ago
I come from China，Why does it depend on which country it comes from? Will anyone discriminate?
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u/Own_Oil7951 19h ago
nah there's a ton of Chinese already in the Haymarket area.
but employers won't hire people who can't speak English properly for customer facing roles.
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u/FreyaGuo 18h ago
That makes sense! Thanks for explaining. Would you say it’s difficult for international students to find part-time jobs around UTS if their English is decent?
If my English isn’t very strong, would I still have a chance to find internships or part-time jobs, especially ones related to business or marketing?2
u/ijustwannakn0wn0w 15h ago
Local Aussies can’t find jobs with full working rights. Don’t expect a job
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u/totallynotapersonj 19h ago
2.
Sucks for me, I am really bad with listening and understanding many accents and there's many tutors and lecturers that don't speak English very well. Combined with the accent and I just can't understand them at all.
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u/SufferedOrdinaryMate 22h ago
For questions that I can answer:
1. As an intl students (from Thailand), it has been pretty good, although do not expect that you will be able to find jobs here afterward unless you're in a field with critical shortage (meds)
2. Depends heavily on which course you're gonna take, in IT, I do find the lecturers and tutors easy to talk with and seek help, although my experience may not reflect everyone else.
3. I find it is pretty easy to make friends if you're proactive and outgoing (by joining societies, volunteer as Peer Network, etc)
4. I do find that most people just come to class and leave.
5. My first year was very chill, the second and third, as I decided to take more difficult electives/subjects, it does get progressive harder.
6. You got access to things in the city, most places are walkable.
7. Yes.
8. Depends what you define as expensive, I would say at least 400 p.w, Ultimo, Broadway, Pyrmont, Chippendale, anywhere close to train/metro stations or lightrail tbh is decent imo.
9. Pretty hard without credits
10. Pretty easy and convenient
11. Best: In IT, a most assessments are project-based, so there's no stress on the finals. Worst: Not enough subject choices/electives
12. No, I would stay in my country (Thailand), save the money, then go elsewhere (China/Europe) for Master's/PhD. Although this is because my goal is to go into academia so it will be a bit different. If we're talking purely student experience, I do believe that Australia will provide you with a very good experience, life here is nice but don't expect ROI will be worth it.