
The University of Sydney, founded in 1850, is the oldest university in Australia. It has a main campus in Camperdown/Darlington, near the city's central business district, and other campuses and research facilities in Sydney and across Australia. The university has over 70 research centres and is ranked among the top 30 global universities. In 2020, the five largest faculties by student enrolments were Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, Business, Science, and Engineering, with each faculty having a student enrolment of over 8,000.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Year founded | 1850 |
| Ranking | 29th in Best Global Universities |
| Location | Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
| Campuses | Camperdown/Darlington campus, Waterloo, One Tree Island Research Station |
| Faculties | Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, Business, Science, Engineering, Agriculture and Environment |
| Number of students per faculty | 8,000+ |
| Total number of students | 64,000+ (assuming at least 5 faculties with 8,000+ students each) |
| Number of academic divisions | 16 |
| Number of research centers | 70+ |
| Number of student exchange agreements with universities worldwide | 300 |
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What You'll Learn

Sydney University's student enrolment by faculty
The University of Sydney, founded in 1850, is the oldest university in Australia. The university has 16 academic divisions, including agriculture and environment, arts and social sciences, business, engineering and information technologies, and medicine. The language of instruction at the university is English, and the academic calendar is semester-based.
The University of Sydney's student enrolment by faculty is organised as follows: the five largest faculties and schools by 2020 student enrolments were Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, Business, Science, and Engineering. Together, these faculties constituted nearly 88% of the university's students, with each faculty having a student enrolment of over 8,000 (at least 13% of total students).
The University of Sydney offers a one-year, research-focused honours program for undergraduate students. The university also has over 70 research centres, including the Brain and Mind Centre, the China Studies Centre, and the Centre for Carbon, Water and Food.
Student enrolment at the University of Sydney involves completing several sections, such as confirming personal details, selecting units of study, and providing financial information. Students can enrol online by logging into their Sydney Student account and accessing the 'My Studies' and 'Enrolment' sections. The university provides a guide to assist new students in the enrolment process and offers the opportunity to enter preferences for class times before timetables are released.
The University of Sydney is ranked highly among global universities. It is ranked 29th in the Best Global Universities ranking and 18th in the QS World University Rankings 2025. The university also ranks 11th in the world for sustainability and 1st in the world for the impact of education in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025.
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Student life and activities on campus
Student life at the University of Sydney is centred around its main campus in Camperdown and Darlington, which has been noted for its beautiful architecture and quadrangle. The campus is also home to a variety of statues, artworks, and monuments, including the Gilgamesh Statue and the Confucius Statue.
The University of Sydney Union (USU), a student-run organisation, plays a crucial role in student life on campus. USU owns three buildings: Wentworth, Manning, and Holme. These buildings are hubs for social activities, housing catering outlets, recreational rooms, bars, and function centres. One of the most prominent events organised by USU is Welcome Week, a three-day festival at the start of the academic year. During Welcome Week, clubs and societies set up stalls on the Front Lawns, providing opportunities for students to explore their interests and connect with others.
The University of Sydney offers a range of student accommodation options. On the Camperdown/Darlington campus, students can choose to live in residential colleges, such as International House, or university-managed apartments and dorms. The university also has halls of residence based on research-led living-learning principles, providing an affordable and academically enriching on-campus experience.
Students at the University of Sydney can engage in a variety of extracurricular activities and pursue their interests through its many clubs and societies. The university's 16 academic divisions, including agriculture and environment, arts and social sciences, business, engineering, and medicine, also offer diverse academic pursuits. The university encourages leadership development and provides opportunities for students to gain leadership skills.
The University of Sydney has a rich history of student activism and engagement with societal issues. In the late 1960s, the university was at the forefront of debates around introducing courses on Marxism and feminism. More recently, in 2014, the university community actively voiced concerns about public funding for higher education and proposed fee deregulation.
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Sydney University's global ranking
The University of Sydney is ranked among the top 50 universities in the world for more than 30 disciplines. It is the oldest university in Australia, founded in 1850. The university has 16 academic divisions, including agriculture and environment, arts and social sciences, business, engineering, and medicine. It has more than 70 research centres, including the Brain and Mind Centre, the China Studies Centre, and the Centre for Carbon, Water, and Food. The university is ranked #29 in the Best Global Universities ranking. It is also ranked #18 in the world by QS World University Rankings 2025 and #11 in the world for sustainability by the same ranking system.
The University of Sydney is also recognised for its research strengths and innovations in teaching. It has a wide range of campuses and research facilities in Sydney and other areas of Australia. The university's main campus is located in Camperdown/Darlington, near the city's central business district. The university offers student accommodations at several of its campuses.
The University of Sydney is ranked #1 in the world for the impact of education and is recognised as a leader in producing leaders of society. The university equips its students with leadership qualities so they can serve their communities. The university also has student exchange agreements with approximately 300 universities worldwide.
Western Sydney University, another prominent university in the region, is ranked #278 in the Best Global Universities ranking. It is recognised for its research strengths and innovations and is globally recognised as a world-class university.
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Historical background of the university
The University of Sydney was founded in 1850, making it the oldest university in Australia. The university is a public institution located in Sydney, in the Australian state of New South Wales. The main campus, Camperdown/Darlington, is situated near the city's central business district. The university also has other campuses and research facilities in Sydney and across Australia.
The university's main campus is home to statues, artworks, and monuments, including the Gilgamesh Statue and the Confucius Statue. The campus also features buildings owned by the student-run University of Sydney Union (USU), which include recreational rooms, bars, and function centres. The USU organises Welcome Week (formerly Orientation Week), a three-day festival at the start of the academic year.
The University of Sydney has a rich history of student activism. In the late 1960s, the university was at the centre of debates around introducing courses on Marxism and feminism. During this period, there were brawls, demonstrations, and secret memos, with philosopher David Armstrong, who held the Challis Chair of Philosophy from 1959 to 1991, walking out of a lecture after students demanded a course on feminism. The philosophy department split into two factions over this issue.
The university has also faced challenges related to public funding for higher education. In 2014, the federal government proposed deregulation of student fees, prompting widespread concern from students, staff, and alumni. The university's leadership, particularly Vice-Chancellor Michael Spence, played a prominent role in advocating for equitable access to university education during this time.
The University of Sydney has a long history of receiving significant bequests and legacies. In 1889, the university received a substantial bequest from the estate of John Henry Challis, totalling £200,000. This bequest led to the creation of seven professorships in various disciplines the following year. The university also houses several museums and art collections, including the Chau Chak Wing Museum, which showcases the university's art, natural history, and antiquities collections. The museum won several awards after its opening in 2020.
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Student exchange agreements with other universities
The University of Sydney, founded in 1850, is the oldest university in Australia. It is consistently ranked among the best universities in the world. The university has 16 academic divisions, including agriculture and environment, arts and social sciences, business, engineering and information technologies, and medicine. It has more than 150 research centres and networks, making it one of the world's leading research-intensive universities.
The University of Sydney has student exchange agreements with approximately 300 universities worldwide. These agreements allow students to spend a period studying at an overseas institution, accessing unique units of study not offered at the University of Sydney. For example, a film studies major could take an elective on South Asian Cinema at the National University of Singapore.
The university is part of several global networks that facilitate student exchange and collaboration. These include Universitas 21 (U21), a global network of 28 research-intensive universities that share resources and foster collaboration among staff and students. The Association of Pacific Rim Universities (APRU) is another network of 60 leading universities linking the Americas, Asia, and Australasia. APRU provides a platform for thought leaders, researchers, and policymakers to exchange ideas and address 21st-century challenges.
Additionally, the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU) is a network of over 500 member universities in 50 countries across the Commonwealth, offering opportunities for students to engage through forums and summer schools. The University of Sydney also has specific partnerships with universities like Peking University in China, where collaborations focus on sustainable and secure agriculture.
These student exchange agreements and partnerships provide University of Sydney students with diverse opportunities to study abroad, gain global perspectives, and access a wide range of educational experiences offered by partner institutions worldwide.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Sydney does not publicly disclose its exact number of enrolled students. However, it is known that the five largest faculties by 2020 student enrolments were Arts and Social Sciences, Medicine and Health, Business, Science, and Engineering, with each faculty having a student enrolment of over 8,000, collectively constituting nearly 88% of the university's total student population.
While the exact number of enrolled students at the University of Sydney is not publicly available, the university is ranked highly among the best universities globally. According to the QS World University Rankings 2025, the University of Sydney is ranked 18th in the world and 11th in the world for sustainability.
The University of Sydney has a comprehensive range of faculties, showcasing its expertise and thought leadership. It has 16 academic divisions, including agriculture and environment, arts and social sciences, and medicine. The university also has over 70 research centres, such as the Brain and Mind Centre and the China Studies Centre. Additionally, it has student exchange agreements with approximately 300 universities worldwide.











































