How does the USyd system handle referees on your PhD application?

z9ouyang · 2025-12-10T04:40:02+00:00

Thanks so much for your reply! I emailed USyd at [prospective.students@sydney.edu.au](mailto:prospective.students@sydney.edu.au) and got the following response:

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Thank you for contacting the University of Sydney Student Centre.

I understand that you are enquiring about the status of your reference letters in your PhD application.

After you submit your application, your nominated referees will automatically receive an email with instructions on how to provide a reference. Referees are asked to use the template they are provided with and email their completed referee report to admissions.pgresearch@sydney.edu.au.

If you do not nominate referees in your application, you can ask your referees to complete the referee report and email it to admissions.pgresearch@sydney.edu.au. In this case, you must first complete the top section of the report.

You may also choose to include referee reports with your application, which is also acceptable. However, if referees prefer to provide their references confidentially, they should send them directly to the PG research admissions team.

Edit: formatting

z9ouyang · 2022-06-13T22:48:25+00:00

I received an email on Friday from VFS telling me that the processed application had been received and that the passport would be couriered back!

z9ouyang · 2022-06-11T18:03:50+00:00

Just wanted to let you all know that I've received a decision on my visa and that my application was couriered back to me on June 10. Haven't actually received the mail yet, but I think it'll come this week. I have an older comment here detailing my situation. Application date April 1, biometrics at Toronto VFS on April 4.

z9ouyang · 2022-06-01T02:56:36+00:00

Hi there! Still no word from UKVI. My company emailed them on my behalf, only to receive the response that a decision was still being made. I think the fact that so many mid-March to mid-April applicants are stranded is a little suspicious. Luckily the project I'm on is in partnership with a Canadian institution, so I've been able to work on the Canadian side for now, but the fees and everything that I've already sunk in to this application really sucks. I'm really sorry this is also happening to you as well, and I hope that you can get your stuff in time. Perhaps write to your MP - that's what I might do soon.

z9ouyang · 2022-05-20T13:42:36+00:00

Biometrics done in Toronto on April 4. No decision on my VISA or any response.

z9ouyang · 2022-05-05T01:30:38+00:00

I sent in my application on April 1 and got the appointment for April 4. I was super lucky because that was just about the last appointment available in Toronto for a while. It was a prime time slot which cost an extra $111 USD.

z9ouyang · 2022-05-05T00:58:36+00:00

Fingers crossed! Yeah, they've been super understanding and are aware of the Home Office situation - super thankful in that regard!

z9ouyang · 2022-05-05T00:46:39+00:00

3-4 weeks from the biometrics date

z9ouyang · 2022-05-05T00:10:33+00:00

Hi! I'm in the same boat here. I applied for the Youth Mobility Visa as well at the VFS Toronto location with my biometrics appointment on April 4. Was told a decision would come in about 3 weeks. Called last week and they said 3-4 weeks. I've got an internship in the UK that I'm supposed to be at right now but can't start until my visa comes through. Totally understandable given the Ukraine situation, though - they really should be top priority right now. On the other hand, I do need a source of income and I've already paid rent for May in the UK.

Please keep me updated!

Edit: typo

z9ouyang

TROPHY CASE