Ibrahim Gardner
The University of Sydney is a highly regarded institution, ranked 18th in the world by QS in 2025. It has a diverse community of over 80,000 students, with 35% of those students coming from outside Australia. The university offers a wide range of courses, with six disciplines ranked in the global top 20. However, student reviews of the university are mixed. While some students praise the university's welcoming atmosphere, beautiful campus, and excellent education, others criticise the administration, lack of feedback, and poor online learning implementation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some students have also raised concerns about elitism, alienation, and a lack of support for issues such as sexual misconduct.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ranking | 18th in the world (QS 2025) |
| Number of students | 70,000+ |
| Percentage of international students | 35% |
| Number of staff | 9,400+ |
| Number of alumni | 445,000+ |
| Number of clubs and societies | 240+ |
| Student experience | Varied reviews, some positive, some negative |
| Campus | Camperdown/Darlington |
| Student life | Student-run University of Sydney Union (USU) |
| Student complaints | Lack of feedback, poor communication, unskilled professors, elitism, sexual misconduct |
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What You'll Learn
- Student experience: social life, clubs and societies, and campus facilities
- Teaching quality: online learning, group work, and lecturer skills
- Student support: mental health, academic guidance, and personal development
- University management: ethics, inclusivity, and communication
- Course structure: flexibility, workload, and assessment feedback
Student experience: social life, clubs and societies, and campus facilities
Student life at the University of Sydney is centred around the Camperdown/Darlington campus, which is home to the student-run University of Sydney Union (USU). The USU is the oldest and largest university union in Australia, providing a range of activities, programs, services, and facilities for students.
The USU organises over 240 clubs and societies, catering to a wide range of interests and hobbies. These clubs and societies bring students together and create a sense of community on campus. Students can make friends and connect with others through these groups, fostering a sense of belonging and a well-rounded social life.
In addition to clubs and societies, the USU also offers a variety of entertainment programs, student opportunities, catering and retail services, and recreational spaces. One of the largest events organised by the USU is Welcome Week, a three-day festival at the start of the academic year to welcome new and returning students.
The University of Sydney also has a diverse community of students from all walks of life, with 35% of its 70,000 students coming from outside Australia. The university offers a flexible degree structure with over 400 study areas and a wide range of professional and specialist degrees, allowing students to define their own career paths. The university's multidisciplinary initiatives and research centres further enhance the student experience, providing opportunities for groundbreaking research and collaboration with industry partners.
However, some students have criticised the university for its handling of the pandemic, with many classes being conducted online via Zoom. There have also been concerns about a lack of feedback from lecturers, cancelled lectures, and a perceived culture of elitism. Despite these criticisms, some students have praised the university for its welcoming atmosphere, beautiful campus, and supportive staff.
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Teaching quality: online learning, group work, and lecturer skills
The University of Sydney has adopted an innovative approach to teaching and learning, with the aim of developing students into future business leaders. The University's Business School has a dedicated unit called Business Co-Design, which aims to improve student engagement through teaching development and the provision of resources. This includes the Connected Learning at Scale project, which transforms digital spaces to create interactive content and give students opportunities to build strong connections with their discipline.
The University of Sydney also recognises the benefits of group work and encourages students to participate in class. Research in the field of education shows that group learning can lead to higher-quality learning compared to solitary study. Successful group work requires students to develop expertise in active listening, providing and receiving feedback, and managing their time effectively. Groups should set clear goals and ensure that everyone knows their role and that the workload has been shared fairly. It is also important for group members to respect one another and arrive prepared with their ideas to ensure a productive discussion.
The University provides guidance for students on how to work effectively in a group, emphasising the importance of clear communication and goal-setting. They advise students to agree on communication methods and meeting times and places. The University also suggests that groups discuss academic honesty and how they will ensure accurate and consistent acknowledgement of sources.
In addition to group work, the University of Sydney offers online learning opportunities through its state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Abercrombie Building and the Sydney CBD campus. These digital spaces are designed to be interactive and engaging, allowing students to connect with their discipline and collaborate with peers.
Overall, the University of Sydney prioritises teaching quality and aims to provide a dynamic and innovative learning experience for its students, both inside and outside the classroom.
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Student support: mental health, academic guidance, and personal development
The University of Sydney offers a wide range of support services to ensure students can thrive during their time at university. These services cover mental health, academic guidance, and personal development, all of which are designed to be accessible, inclusive, and confidential.
Mental Health
The University of Sydney prioritises student mental health and wellbeing, offering a variety of services and resources. Students can access the Clinical Helpline 24/7, in multiple languages, via an app. The Student Counselling Service, Head Set, is another online resource that provides evidence-based information and practices to help students manage their psychological wellbeing and achieve their academic goals. Students are also encouraged to practice mindfulness and relaxation, with guided breathing and muscle relaxation exercises available. Additionally, the University provides sleep tips and substance use advice, including contact details for Alcohol Drug Information Service (ADIS) NSW, which offers 24-hour referrals and counselling.
Academic Guidance
The University recognises the importance of academic guidance and provides academic advisers in most faculties and schools. These advisers offer support and advice on course decision-making and improving academic performance. Students also have access to learning support at any stage of their studies, with resources to develop academic communication, research, and study skills.
Personal Development
The University of Sydney fosters an inclusive and supportive environment for students' personal development. The Gadigal Centre provides pastoral care, social and cultural opportunities, and referrals to other support services. Additionally, students can connect with current students and access career counselling services and resources from their first year, helping them develop professionally throughout their degree. For LGBTQIA+ students, there is a dedicated network of students and staff offering advocacy, funding, and support for innovative projects.
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University management: ethics, inclusivity, and communication
The University of Sydney is one of the oldest universities in Australia, with a student community of over 80,000, including 35% international students. The university has a history of academic misconduct, with widespread cheating reported in 2015, and more recently, a scandal involving male students bragging about sexual misconduct. This has led to concerns about ethics and accountability, with students reporting a lack of feedback and support, particularly regarding sensitive issues such as sexual misconduct.
The university has taken steps to address these issues, establishing a task force on academic misconduct and committing to implementing recommendations from a report on sexual misconduct. However, some students continue to express concerns about the university's management, with allegations of greed and a lack of transparency in decision-making, particularly regarding funding and staff salaries.
On the other hand, the university promotes a diverse and inclusive community, with a wide range of clubs and societies, and a strong focus on research and innovation. The university has over 150 centres and networks dedicated to groundbreaking research and collaborates with more than 500 industry partners to translate research into market solutions. The university also offers flexible degree structures, with over 400 study areas and a range of professional and specialist degrees, empowering students from all walks of life to strive for better.
The university's main campus, Camperdown/Darlington, is home to the student-run University of Sydney Union (USU), which provides a range of activities, programs, and facilities for students, including catering outlets, recreational rooms, and function centres. The USU also organises Welcome Week, a three-day festival at the start of the academic year.
Overall, while the University of Sydney has faced criticism for its management and ethical practices, it also promotes inclusivity, innovation, and a diverse community, offering a wide range of opportunities for its students.
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Course structure: flexibility, workload, and assessment feedback
The University of Sydney offers flexible study options for postgraduate courses, allowing students to study part-time or personalise their timetables to fit their schedules. Intensive sessions during the summer and winter breaks are also available for students looking to accelerate their courses or catch up on failed units. International students on a student visa must be enrolled in a full-time study load, while those without a student visa may have access to greater study flexibility.
The University also provides support for students through early assessment and feedback, fostering engagement and understanding of their capabilities. All 1000-level unit subjects include an 'early feedback task' to provide students with early feedback on their readiness for academic success in the unit and allow academic staff to offer personalised communications and links to support services. This early feedback has been shown to increase student engagement and belonging, helping them adjust their study strategies and improve their performance.
In addition to early feedback, the University of Sydney offers regular contact, identification, and support from academic staff for those at risk of failing. This support is grounded in good practice and aims to provide targeted assistance to students who need it. The University's 'Support for Students Policy', available on the website and unit outlines, highlights the importance of regular email checks for students to stay informed about support services and academic progress.
The specific workload and assessment feedback for each course at the University of Sydney may vary depending on the faculty and school. However, the University is committed to providing support and early feedback to all its students, ensuring they have the necessary resources and communications to succeed academically.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Sydney is ranked 18th in the world according to QS 2025. It has more than 400 study areas and a wide range of professional and specialist degrees.
The University of Sydney has more than 80,000 students, 9400 academic and professional staff, and 445,000+ alumni. The main campus is home to the student-run University of Sydney Union (USU), which organises extracurricular activities and provides catering and recreational spaces for students. The university also offers over 240 student-run clubs and societies.
The University of Sydney's largest faculties and schools by student enrolment are Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, Business, Science, and Engineering.
Student feedback on the University of Sydney is mixed. Positive reviews highlight the university's welcoming atmosphere, freedom to express opinions, extracurricular activities, and supportive staff. However, negative reviews criticise the university's handling of sexual misconduct, academic misconduct, and elitism. Some students have also expressed concerns about the quality of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and a lack of feedback from professors.
The University of Sydney is the oldest university in Australia and has been empowering brilliant minds for over 170 years. It is known for its diverse community, multidisciplinary research initiatives, and industry collaborations. The university also offers generous scholarships, entrepreneurial programs, and industry placements to support its students' career development.
