What is Sydney Short Courses?
The University of Sydney has a longstanding tradition of providing specialised short courses across diverse industries and fields of study. We are expanding our range of sought-after short courses and microcredentials to promote continuous learning, skills training, and education aimed at addressing skill gaps and shortages.
Sydney Short Courses is dedicated to managing our entire portfolio of short courses and microcredential offerings, with a focus on accessibility, flexibility, and meeting the evolving needs of individuals, businesses, industries, and government entities. Our progressive research serves as the foundation for the content and delivery of all our short courses and microcredentials, thereby offering innovative, forward-looking specialised skills for upskilling, reskilling, and professional development. Sydney Short Courses offers a comprehensive array of options, ranging from Executive Education and Management programs to specialised professional hard and soft skills. Our courses are designed to propel you towards an inspiring and promising future.
Why study at the University of Sydney?
Ranked 18th globally and 1st in Australia for various subjects, the University of Sydney stands as a premier institution in research, teaching, and sustainability. With an extensive range of disciplines, our short courses are tailored to enhance your career and industry. As a global education leader, we collaborate with international industry partners to propel your career forward in Australia and abroad. Our Sydney Short Courses are designed to be accessible, flexible, and of the highest quality. Gain the knowledge and innovative ideas you need to future-proof your career, regardless of your expertise level or schedule.
What types of courses does Sydney Short Courses offer?
We offer microcredentials and short courses. You can read more about our course types.
What is a microcredential?
The University of Sydney's microcredentials are specialised, university-level certifications that assess your expertise in a specific area. Each course is developed by our subject experts, is taught at a postgraduate level and is tailored to meet current and future industry requirements. We support you to acquire specific knowledge, skills, and capabilities related to a particular professional skill. You will benefit from our extensive knowledge gained through research partnerships with government and industry, our high-quality teachers and educational method, and our course design that can be delivered through face-to-face, online, or hybrid classes.
Depending on the course, modules can be taken in intensive mode or over a more extended period, and you have the flexibility to choose your commitment level and the schedule that suits you. Microcredentials are designed to fit around your work and life, supporting you as you continuously improve, whether to advance in your current career, acquire new skills, or change your career path. Upon completion, you will receive a Digital Badge and Statement of Completion, adding value to your CV and LinkedIn profile.Payments
Am I eligible for a refund?
We provide refunds in the following circumstances:
- - If you cancel your enrolment within 24 hours of purchase (exclusions apply)
- - If Sydney Short Courses cancels your class - If Sydney Short Courses is legally obliged to do so.
Please refer to our full terms and conditions for further information regarding our cancellation policy.
What happens if my course gets cancelled?
An email will be sent notifying you that your course has been cancelled, and you will automatically receive a credit note for the amount paid. Please contact us to have this converted to a refund.
Can I transfer or reschedule my course?
We require a minimum of 7 days notice (excluding public holidays) to either reschedule or cancel your enrolment.
If you wish to cancel or reschedule your enrolment with less than 7 days (excluding public holidays) prior to your class start date due to extenuating circumstances (e.g., illness), you will need to provide supporting documentation explaining your inability to attend your course (e.g., a medical certificate). Note, we cannot accommodate changes in work or personal circumstances (i.e., changes to company policy or work schedule).
Alternatively, you can elect to transfer the enrolment to another individual at no cost. Please contact us for assistance.
Please refer to our full terms and conditions for a list of cancellation policy exemptions.
Where can I find the details of my credit voucher?
If you have been issued a credit voucher, the details will have been sent to you in an email. This includes a unique voucher code, expiry date, and credit amount.
Please contact us if you have been issued a voucher but have not received an email confirmation.
My credit voucher has expired. Can I still use it?
Our credit vouchers are valid for 15 months. No extrensions are possible.
What payment methods does Sydney Short courses accept?
We accept the following payment methods:
- Mastercard
- Visa
- American Express (only available for enrolments made through the Sydney Short Courses website)
- Electronic bank transfer (by prior agreement only)
- Journal transfer (University of Sydney staff only)
My employer is paying for my course. Is it possible to be invoiced?
Please contact us to request an Invoice Authorisation Form. Once we receive the necessary details, your enrolment/s will be processed accordingly, and an invoice will be issued to the payer. Payment can then be made either by credit card or EFT.
Enrolments
Does Sydney Short courses offer discounts?
Yes. Please visit our what does it cost page for more information.
Does Sydney Short courses offer fee support?
As Sydney Short courses are non-accredited (no exams or formal qualifications), there is no capacity for course fees to be covered by HECS / HELP loans or any other payment plan options. Full payment is required at time of enrolment.
I have enrolled in a course at Sydney Short Courses, what happens now?
Once your enrolment has been processed, you will receive the following emails:
- Enrolment confirmation: you will receive this immediately after your enrolment has been processed.
- Tax invoice: the payer of your enrolment will receive this immediately after your enrolment has been processed.
- Course reminder: you will receive a reminder 3 days before your class.
- Course materials: Depending on which course you enrol in, you may receive a SharePoint link and password to access course materials 2 days before your class. If your course is being delivered via our online learning platform (Canvas), details of your user login and how to access the coursework will be sent in a separate email.
- Zoom link (for online classes only): If your course is presented via Zoom, you will receive a Zoom link and password 2 days prior to class commencement. If your course has multiple sessions, use the same link and password to access each session.
Please contact us us for assistance should you not receive any of these emails.
Can I get a student visa from enrolling in a course at Sydney Short courses?
Sydney Short Courses are short non-award courses and therefore not eligible to support entry into Australia for study or student visas.
Can international students enrol into Sydney Short courses?
Yes. All our courses are open to everyone for enrolment, including visitors on holiday and temporary residents.
Note, as our online classes are run in real-time from Sydney, please consider any time differences prior to enrolment.
Course questions
Where are Sydney Short Courses held?
The University of Sydney run short course classes at various locations and online. Please refer to the session details listed under the ‘class schedule’ section of our course outlines.
How do I get to Sydney Short Courses?
Please see the Our Locations Sydney Short Courses page for public transport and parking options.
Where is my course if the Venue is ‘TBA’?
If your course is ‘face-to-face (venue TBA)’, it will be located at the University of Sydney's Camperdown/Darlington campus, but the exact classroom and building has not yet been assigned. You will receive a course reminder email confirming all details 3 business days before the start date.
How many people are in each class?
Generally, face-to-face classes are between 8-30 people. However, please note that class sizes vary, depending on the course, location, etc. Please contact us to confirm current class numbers and vacancies.
I want to contact a course facilitator, where can I find their contact details?
Due to privacy reasons, we are unable to provide you with facilitators’ contact details. Please contact us and we can contact them on your behalf.
Do I get a Digital Badge for completing a Sydney Short course?
Microcredential Digital Badges are issued for microcredentials only.
Do I get a certificate for completing a Sydney Short course?
We provide a Statement of Completion to participants who have attended at least 70% of their course. Your Statement of Completion will be emailed to you (PDF file) after the final session and can also be linked to your LinkedIn profile.
Do I get continuing professional development points for completing a Sydney Short course?
You are advised to check with your professional or governing body to determine if the educational activity undertaken meets their CPD criteria. You will be provided with a Statement of Completion which will confirm that you have completed the course and will include the dates and total duration. Digital Badges also include verification that confirms the course duration and date completed. Please refer to the individual Course pages to find out the number of Professional Development points offered, if applicable.
Please contact us if you have any questions.
Is lunch included?
Lunch may be provided for courses that are more than five hours long. Please check your Enrolment Confirmation or Course Reminder emails to confirm whether your course includes meals.
If I am no longer able to attend a class in person, can I attend online?
No you can’t. Our online classes run separately from our face-to-face classes. Please contact us to request an enrolment transfer into an alternate class. Terms and conditions apply.
I’m using my own device in class, why can’t I connect to the Wi-Fi?
Your computer's security settings may prevent you from joining the free University Wi-Fi network. If you have antivirus software on your device, you may need to disable the firewall to join the network. Alternatively, we recommend using your smartphone’s ‘personal hotspot’ to connect your computer to the internet.
My course is BYO device, will I need to install special software?
You will need to have specific software pre-installed for some courses, for example, Adobe and Microsoft courses. Please read the course outline and all pre-course communications thoroughly.
A computer will be provided by Sydney Short Courses for my IT class, will I need my own account to use any software?
If using our computers in class, you will be able to use our training accounts to log into any required software. We encourage participants to exercise caution and avoid the use of any personal accounts, or accounts provided by your workplace, when using Sydney Short Courses devices.
Are there any placement tests for language courses?
We don't have placement tests for our language courses, so please review the course outlines carefully to determine which course is appropriate for you. For additional assistance or advice, please contact us.
Please check your course information for any language prerequisites.
How will online courses be conducted?
Online classes may be run in our online learning platform (Canvas) or through a platform called Zoom, which allows for real-time, interactive classes. In Zoom, facilitators and participants interact through audio and video, and the facilitator shares their screen with the class for the purpose of demonstrations. Zoom also allows for the class to be split into smaller groups, for group work and other activities. Please ensure that you have a stable internet connection.
Do I have to attend my online class at the scheduled time, or will it be recorded?
Most online classes are taught in an interactive webinar format and participants need to be available at the scheduled time to participate. Some courses with multiple sessions may be recorded for participants to catch-up on in their own time. Please check the course outline for individual courses.
Do I need to install special software?
For most courses you will not need special software. But you will need to have specific software pre-installed for some courses, for example, Adobe and Microsoft courses.
Please read the course outline and all course communications thoroughly.
Where can I park?
We offer parking options for drivers, but also encourage eco-friendly transportation like cycling and public transport. For more details, visit the "Getting to campus" web page, or contact the Traffic and Parking Office on 02 9351 3336.
Course outlines on the Sydney Short Courses website feature links to site pages in the “Upcoming Classes” section. Site pages include maps to help you find public parking near the class location. Please note that Sydney Short Courses cannot validate parking tickets.
What software does Sydney Short Courses use for online courses and to distribute course materials?
We use the following software:
- Zoom to deliver online courses in real-time
- SharePoint to distribute course materials
- Canvas to deliver online sessions, distribute course materials, administer assessments, and support self-paced learning.
Please check your course reminder email or the course outline for software requirements specific to the course you are attending.
Is Sydney Short courses able to accommodate participants with special needs (e.g. mobility, dietary requirements, hearing or sight impaired, and more)?
We make every effort to accommodate participants with special needs. For example, dietary requirements will be provided to the caterer, a venue without stairs will be allocated to accommodate mobility issues, and most University venues are equipped with Hearing Loops and Braille signage.
Please ensure you list any special needs when you enrol.
Will Sydney Short courses give me entry or pathway into university award courses?
No, none of our courses provide a pathway to University entry.