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Don’t waste your time In November 2019 I began the process of applying for Recognition of Prior Learning for MEDI160. By January 2020 I had written confirmation from two different professors that I would not need to complete the course due to prior study. I then spent six months chasing the university for the formal outcome—calls, emails, follow-ups—trying to have the credit processed. After all of that, I was told that I did in fact have to complete MEDI160 and that I should “take responsibility for my own actions.” This comment did not come from a junior staff member or an administrator. It came from the Head of the Department. Let’s be clear about the facts: • I contacted the university a year before enrolling to confirm whether my previous diploma would exempt me from the first-year subject. I was told it would. • Two professors later confirmed this again in writing. • I spent six months actively following up trying to have the credit processed. So being told to “take responsibility” — after doing exactly that — while I was already distressed on the phone, was not only dismissive but completely unacceptable. Because of this misinformation, I was suddenly told to add an unexpected subject, which completely disrupted the four-year study plan I had carefully built. To be clear: the two original lecturers who advised me were professional, helpful, and transparent. This criticism is not directed at them. However, the way this situation was handled by the department — particularly the response from the Head of Department — was deeply disappointing and far below the standard expected from a university that claims to be among the best in Australia. At the time, I stayed quiet because I was genuinely concerned about the impact speaking up might have on my education. But students should not have to spend half a year chasing answers, receive conflicting written advice, and then be blamed for the university’s own administrative failures. Experiences like this damage trust and reputation. If universities want to support their students, situations like this should never happen in the first place.

As posted by some students already, we had the same issue, UOW gave me offer letter- took my fees- gave me COE and at the time of enrolment they said u need full student visa to enrol into your course, even i am already in the visa which allows me to study and have study right on it. Upon telling them, they said i cannot continue my course if i study on 485 visa as they will cancel COE and not allow to enroll. I don’t know why they issued the COE in the first place , if they don’t allow to enroll in 485 visa. They did all this in the name of compliance, hold around $19,000 for more than 6months and later didn’t allow to enroll in the course and upon withdrawal they charge $1000 for their admin fees. Not only that there response time is crazy 6 weeks to reply one email, and reply at last stage so students can’t plan. I wonder if these can be reported as this is definitely not right and as they didn’t even send link of exit survey.

I am writing with genuine concern for future students considering enrolment at this university. When I commenced my studies in 2021, I believed I was joining a supportive and reputable campus. Unfortunately, over the years, my experience has been overwhelmingly negative. Throughout my degree, the university has repeatedly changed handbooks and course requirements at short notice. These changes have directly resulted in students needing to spend additional time completing their degrees. When questioned, the justification provided has been “budget cuts,” despite tuition fees remaining the same or increasing. This lack of transparency and accountability places an unfair burden on students. Additionally, many classes are delivered by lecturers with significant language barriers. Learning complex new material is already challenging; having to simultaneously decipher unclear English instruction makes the learning environment extremely difficult and compromises educational quality. As a graduating student, I am deeply disappointed by the university’s handling of graduation arrangements. Historically, the university offered three guest tickets, with the option to purchase a fourth. This year, due to the decision to relocate graduation to avoid interrupting a sporting event, graduates are limited to only two tickets, with no opportunity to obtain additional ones. After dedicating three or more years of study, this decision demonstrates a profound lack of respect for students and their families. Overall, this university has shown little regard for student welfare, support, or appreciation. The consistent prioritisation of finances over student experience is disheartening and unacceptable. I am relieved to be finishing my degree and strongly believe prospective students deserve to be made aware of these ongoing issues. Before the generic feedback response is sent through. I have contacted the University in hopes for change but shutdown in EVERY circumstance. Yes I have processed this through the complaints.

THE PROGRAM HANDBOOK CHANGED TOO MUCH JUST IN A SHORT PERIOD, MAKING PEOPLE DOUBT ITS DESIGN OF LEARNING COURSES. BUT IT ALSO LET ME REFLECT ON WHY A SERIOUS DEGREE IS NEEDED TO DO THE ENTRY-LEVEL JOB. WE CAN BOYCOTT THROUGH SELF-HELP TOOLS. period.

I'm not yet sure how my studies here will turn out but the first impression of the University is that it's dashingly picturesque. The staff here are also quite friendly and helpful, which is a good indicator. Will definitely come back to update this review as the program commences and goes on. Update 1: Semester 1 has been wonderful. There were a few hiccups here and there but overall, the engineering faculty delivers, the university is responsive, and everyone is so nice. Work hard, be proactive, and know where to contact and your issues are solved in a blink. I also got a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity here, which is something I couldn't be more grateful for. Looking forward to the next semester.

International students, beware of the University of Wollongong!!!!! I was invited six months before my course started and offered to pay. They sent my COE only three months before classes, leaving insufficient time to apply for a student visa, which normally takes 5–8 months. Despite knowing this, they accepted my full payment without warning me that I could not start classes until my visa was approved. They waited until just two weeks before classes to tell me I couldn’t begin because my visa was not ready, even though I was already living in Australia and legally allowed to study. This last-minute decision left me unable to recover the full fees I had paid for accommodation or health insurance. I only received a partial refund of my first semester fees. When I asked to defer to the next year, they claimed I might not be considered a genuine student and said I would need to apply from scratch. They admitted they didn’t know how long visas take, yet still took my money. I later applied to another Australian university, received my COE early, and my student visa was approved without issue, proving I am clearly a genuine student. The University of Wollongong simply takes your money while preventing you from starting classes, leaving international students at a huge disadvantage.

I started my Engineering Diploma degree, which was divided into three sessions. I was told that after completing the Diploma, I would directly join the second year of the University of Wollongong Bachelor of Engineering program. The college clearly stated that the Diploma covered all first-year university subjects, and I was even attending classes alongside university students. Before beginning my third year, I discovered that I had not completed one of the required first-year subjects during my Diploma studies. This missing subject prevented me from progressing to my third-year subjects, as it was a prerequisite. I contacted the UOW support team and explained that this was a college issue, not mine. The Diploma plan I was given included all the subjects required for the first year, yet one subject was missing from what I was actually enrolled in. I really don’t know the reason behind this mistake, other than it feels like they just wanted to delay my graduation. Unfortunately, resolving the issue was time-consuming and unhelpful, and the whole experience felt like a waste of time and effort.

Do not recommend the Autism Program. Do not enrol if you have a disability, carer's responsibilities or health issues you will be a burden and subject to endless powerplays that make you break your teeth.

It Was the best university in study life. Environment and education system which are the best in Australia. Which i think.

Very accessible. Lot's of greenery.

You thought it was a chill campus vibe? Well it isn’t. Thought it was easy going and outdoorsy vibe? Forget about it. I am a male first year business student here, I don’t come from the Wollongong area and I can say I’ve never felt so alone. No one wants to make friends here from my experience, they just do their tutorials and get out, people go with their high school friends so it’s impossible to break into friend groups. People either go in with high school friends as a group and you can’t break in, or they’ll go alone and will make no intent to talk with anyone. Don’t even try looking into the social clubs cause there’s not much there and the societies don’t even do fun events. No one will sit next to you unless a class is full, and even if they do they won’t speak to you, no one says hi, people don’t sit directly next to someone they always leave a gap everyone is so segregated. Oh and same with lectures no one will sit next to you everyone spaces themselves. Forget about networking here cause no one does that, you ask people for their instas they act like you’re asking them to donate blood meanwhile in the city unis people are handing out their instas like they’re supermarket free samples. Into my second semester and I haven’t been able to make a single friend here! I don’t even know what I’m paying my SSAF (Student Services Amenities Fee) for, there is nothing for my campus social life to improve, and the limited “social events” are just people going there to hang out with friends, so it’s not even a place for friends either. With my actual degree content don’t really have complaints there, the content is alright, although it can get quite tricky or content heavy. Hey at least there’s good places to eat on campus I suppose, that manages to keep me going during the day. Ok yes the social aspect isn’t everything in uni but it’s a big part of enjoying the experience and having better grades. I am also a shy person so I’m not the most outgoing although it doesn’t help when everything around you is shutting you down socially. I’ll be looking to transfer out of this uni asap and into somewhere my presence will actually feel valued by peers.

Beautiful place to visit beautiful campus! With prayers spaces and best students community with Muslim Students Association!

Graduated in 2017 (MSc Logistics and Project Management). Enjoyed my time at UOW. Friendly staff, Lecturers and great campus and facilities. Highly recommended

Current medicine student Not impressed with how the Uni handle complaints (failed to investigate and immediately retaliated before my complaint was even looked at)- really unprofessional Completely lacks academic fairness- runs 1:1 clinical exams with no third person or recording against medical best practices (amca and anzhpe standards require triangulation) Refusal to amend grades despite admitting they made mistakes in examination grading. Suggestion- ensure any 1:1 exam environment has the appropriate required safeguards in place to prevent conscious/ unconscious bias, that is highly likely according to national stds, requiring having a third person present and it that is not possible a recording of the exam so that any grade is defensible(must have triangulation) An investigation into the medical faculty teaching practices ,like what has occured at ANU would be very beneficial to the medical students, the Uni and for the staff to ensure they are examining using best practice standards. I spoke up and was severely retaliated against for doing so.

Based on direct experience, the University of Wollongong is considered one of the worst for-profit institutions, lacking transparency and academic fairness, particularly in its treatment of scholarship students. It has been observed that the university deliberately fails some students in specific courses without clear academic justification, forcing them to retake those courses. This practice appears to be an attempt to unfairly benefit from the financial value of scholarships. Such actions raise serious concerns about the university’s integrity and academic credibility, undermining trust among students and their families. An academic institution should enhance learning opportunities, not exploit them. We strongly advise scholarship providers and prospective students to carefully review these practices before choosing to partner with or enroll in this university.

A beautiful campus close to Wollongong CBD and beaches. Known for its dedicated and friendly staff.

This university wasted my time and money. My marketing courses were outdated and did not offer any practical assessments. I don't feel like I'm much further ahead than I was before I completed my Graduate Certificate in Marketing. My first degree was in journalism at USC which proved to be far more useful and up-to-date with recent trends. I wish I saved my money and studied elsewhere. I'm leaving with a piece of paper and that's about it.

روعة المكان، جامعة مميزة اتمنى ان اعود لها يوما

Uni is located in a beautiful natural surrounding with trees and birds.. love the place

Best place for sports, Education , social activities, there are every set of facility you can get.