Sydney University Students: Their Experience And Thoughts

how do students like it at university of sydney

The University of Sydney offers a vibrant student community and a world of opportunity for its students. The university experience is about more than just lectures and tutorials; it's about making friends, trying new things, and gaining leadership skills. The University of Sydney offers a range of student programs, initiatives, and support services to enrich the student experience, including mentoring, social events, health and wellbeing initiatives, and student leadership programs. The university also provides opportunities for students to gain real-world experience and build their resumes through internships, placements, and study tours. With a focus on student partnership and a commitment to improving the student experience, the University of Sydney is a great choice for those looking to immerse themselves in a diverse and vibrant community.

Characteristics Values
Student experience Make friends, try new things, develop hobbies, gain leadership skills, have fun
Student support Counselling, learning support, disability services, support for international students and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Student accommodation On-campus and off-campus accommodation, residential colleges, and help with finding housing
Student life Immersive, vibrant student community, inclusive and supportive environment
Campus Camperdown Campus, historic and cultural, state-of-the-art teaching and learning technology, libraries, art galleries, museums, lawns, historic sandstone buildings, contemporary architecture
Academic ranking Top 20 universities in the world

shunstudent

Student satisfaction

One student who attended the University of Sydney for a postgraduate degree shared their dissatisfaction with the condescending attitude of lecturers and the haphazard teaching style. They also mentioned feeling discouraged from independent thinking, as student hypotheses were restricted to the worldview of the lecturer and their professional clique. Another student expressed frustration with the poor quality of education, specifically mentioning issues with enrolment and a lack of support. They described their experience as a "waste of money."

On the other hand, some students have shared more positive experiences. One individual praised the University of Sydney for its good environment, including the dorms and campus facilities. They also mentioned that the university is "pretty good" and has an "amazing campus." Another student, who studied economics and law, shared a more nuanced perspective. While they found the amount of homework overwhelming and the lecture slides and tutorials unhelpful, they appreciated the diversity among students and the beautiful buildings on campus.

Overall, student satisfaction at the University of Sydney appears to be mixed. While some students have praised certain aspects, such as the campus and flexible degree structures, others have expressed deep dissatisfaction with the quality of teaching, administrative issues, and a lack of support for independent thinking. These reviews highlight the diverse experiences of students and the need for universities to continuously strive for improvement to enhance the overall student experience.

shunstudent

Administration

Another review describes the university's administration as "poor and extremely incompetent". The reviewer, an international student, describes how they had to pay an extra 5000 AUD to repeat a course they had failed, only to discover that the administration had not completed their end of the process, leaving the reviewer unable to enrol.

A review from a postgraduate student describes the university's systems and processes as "built without any customer or user journey/experience in mind". They go on to say that the university has put "all onus on the student in order to wave its own accountability".

Another review describes the university's administration as "appalling", with long wait times to speak to staff and a general lack of help and support.

A review from a law student describes the university's administration as "intransigent", with a "disorganised" online enrolment system. They also mention the university's "high fees for low-quality education".

Overall, the administration at the University of Sydney has received a significant number of negative reviews, with students citing issues with enrolment, a lack of support, and poor organisation and communication.

shunstudent

Lecturers and teaching style

The University of Sydney is Australia's oldest university and is considered one of the country's most prestigious. The university has received mixed reviews from its students. While some praise the campus and its facilities, others have criticised the teaching quality and the lecturers. One student who had attended four other Australian universities before coming to the University of Sydney for their postgraduate degree criticised the condescending attitude of the lecturers and their haphazard and lacking teaching style. They also noted that independent thinking was discouraged, with student hypotheses only being permitted to extend to the parameters of the worldview of the lecturer and their professional clique and political affiliations.

Another student who had attended three other universities in Australia before studying law at the University of Sydney described the staff as having a "tremendously high and mighty approach". They also noted that the university's systems and processes, from admission to curriculum delivery, were built without any user journey or experience in mind.

A postgraduate student pursuing a Master of Data Science criticised the university for having "no idea how to run courses online". They mentioned that one of their classes had 570 students enrolled, which was far more than the 300-participant limit on Zoom, resulting in many students missing out on lectures.

A student pursuing a Master of Architecture mentioned that the faculty had hired teaching staff from other countries, resulting in many tutors and lecturers with strong accents. They also criticised the studio programs, describing them as a waste of time and poorly designed.

On the other hand, a student pursuing a Master of Educational Management and Leadership praised the university, saying that they loved it and found the teaching, choice of courses, lecturers, assessment, and opportunity to research in an area of interest to be excellent.

shunstudent

Course content

The University of Sydney offers a wide range of courses and areas of study for students to choose from. The university has a flexible degree structure, allowing students to find the right study path for them. Students can choose majors and minors outside their primary degree, work on real-world projects, undertake international experiences, access advanced coursework, or boost their personal development through online workshops. The university offers more than 400 areas of study, including:

  • Architecture, urbanism, and interaction design
  • Arts and social sciences
  • Education and social work
  • Engineering and computer science
  • Economics
  • Business
  • Law
  • Medicine and health
  • Music
  • Science

The University of Sydney also offers postgraduate courses, including coursework-based degrees and research-based degrees. Coursework-based degrees allow students to gain hands-on experience through exchange programs or internships. On the other hand, research-based degrees provide students with access to leading lecturers, research supervisors, and industry networks.

shunstudent

Campus and accommodation

The University of Sydney is Australia's oldest university and is considered one of its most prestigious. The main campus is spread across the inner-city suburbs of Camperdown and Darlington and is known for its impressive sandstone architecture, libraries, art galleries and museums.

The University of Sydney offers three main types of accommodation: on-campus, off-campus, and alumni co-living. On-campus accommodation is situated in the heart of Sydney, with a variety of options to choose from. The campus is known for its inclusivity and supportiveness, attracting students from all over Australia and the world.

Living on or near campus can greatly enhance the university experience, making it easier to immerse oneself in student life and take advantage of the University's facilities. The University of Sydney has an amazing campus culture, with a lively student community and housing scattered throughout the campus and surrounding areas.

For those seeking off-campus accommodation, there are options available in the surrounding suburbs, such as the University's other campuses in Camden and Nepean. Additionally, there is brand-new, state-of-the-art accommodation close to Coogee Beach.

The University of Sydney also offers a unique opportunity to live with alumni in safe, comfortable, and affordable housing. This allows students to connect with graduates and build a network while still enjoying the benefits of living close to campus.

Sydney, being Australia's largest city, offers a wealth of educational opportunities and things to see and do. Its academic excellence and stunning harbourside setting make it a desirable location for both international and domestic students.

Overall, the University of Sydney provides a range of accommodation options to suit different needs and preferences, allowing students to find their ideal home during their time at the University.

Frequently asked questions

The University of Sydney is Australia's oldest university and is considered one of its most prestigious. However, reviews are mixed, with some students reporting negative experiences and others reporting positive ones.

Some students have described lecturers at the University of Sydney as condescending, unskilled, and lacking in their teaching style. Others have praised certain lecturers as incredible people.

Some students have reported that it is difficult to make friends at the University of Sydney, while others have enjoyed the over 240 student-run clubs and societies that bring the campus to life.

Written by
Reviewed by
Share this post
Print
Did this article help you?

Leave a comment