Strengthening UTS for the future. What the academic change plan means for students
We’re making changes today to secure tomorrow.
The University of Technology Sydney has released an academic implementation plan outlining the university’s future direction. The plan strengthens financial sustainability while ensuring continued investment in students, research and community impact.
For UTS Online students and future learners, this reinforces the university’s long-term commitment to delivering flexible, industry-connected postgraduate education backed by academic excellence.
By strengthening long-term stability, UTS is ensuring it can continue delivering high-quality teaching, real-world learning and impactful research across its priority disciplines.
Listening and adapting
The plan was developed through extensive consultation with staff across the university.
It reflects feedback, ideas and expertise from the UTS community and balances necessary savings with the university’s public mission and educational commitments.
Key study areas aligned to community and workforce needs will remain, including:
These priority areas continue to be delivered through UTS Online, ensuring students can access flexible study options supported by experienced academics and industry practitioners.
The number of job losses has also been reduced, with all changes to be met through voluntary separation.
UTS Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Andrew Parfitt confirmed the changes.
“UTS exists to serve the public good and our primary commitment is to ensure we continue to deliver exceptional education for our students and impactful research,” Professor Parfitt said.
“The university needs to be financially stable so we can continue to invest in our students, academics and research for the long term.”
What this means for UTS Online students
For current students, study will continue as planned.
There will be no course changes before 2027, allowing students to complete their degrees with full academic support. Where required, teach-out plans will commence from 2027 to ensure students finish their qualifications with clarity and continuity.
For UTS Online students specifically:
- There are no changes to course delivery
- Learning platforms and student support remain the same
- Programs continue to be delivered by the same expert academics
The plan is focused on long-term sustainability, not short-term disruption. Students can feel confident in the stability of their qualification and the university behind it.
In January 2026, the Fair Work Commission determined that UTS had complied with consultation obligations and provided adequate explanation for the changes.
Moving forward together
The academic change plan ensures UTS remains a financially sustainable university while continuing to deliver high-quality education, student support and research outcomes that benefit society.
For UTS Online, this means continuing to provide flexible postgraduate degrees designed for working professionals who want to make meaningful impact in their fields.
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This article is republished from UTS under a Creative Commons license.
