
The University of Sydney is one of the world's leading research-intensive universities, with over 50,000 students, 9400 academic and professional staff, and 445,000+ alumni. The university has a rich history, being the first university in the southern hemisphere, and was among the first in the world to admit women students on the same basis as men in 1881. The University of Sydney is committed to cultivating a diverse and inclusive teaching and learning environment, attracting students from a variety of countries, backgrounds, and life experiences.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ranking in Australia by student numbers | Third |
| Number of students | 54,000 (approximately) |
| Number of postgraduate students | 20,000 (approximately) |
| Diversity | International students, students from different countries, backgrounds, life experiences, and beliefs |
| Student life | Over 240 student-run clubs and societies |
| Alumni | 445,000+ |
| Ranking (world) | 18th (QS World University Rankings 2025) |
| Ranking (world, sustainability) | 11th (QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025) |
| Ranking (world, impact of education) | 1st (QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2025) |
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What You'll Learn
- The University of Sydney has approximately 54,000 students
- The student body includes a diverse range of nationalities, backgrounds and life experiences
- The University has over 240 student-run clubs and societies
- Sydney University is one of the world's leading research-intensive universities
- Sydney University was one of the first universities in the world to admit women on the same basis as men

The University of Sydney has approximately 54,000 students
The University of Sydney is a diverse and inclusive community of approximately 54,000 students from a variety of countries, backgrounds, and life experiences. The university is committed to cultivating a teaching and learning environment that is strengthened by its students' diverse backgrounds, approaches to learning, and unique perspectives.
The University of Sydney is ranked as the third-largest university in Australia in terms of student numbers, after Monash University and RMIT University. It offers a wide range of study areas, with more than 400 programs and a flexible degree structure that allows students to define their career paths. The university also has a rich history, dating back to the 1850s, when it became the first university in the southern hemisphere to be inaugurated.
The University of Sydney is a leader in research and innovation, with over 150 centres and networks dedicated to groundbreaking research. It is ranked highly globally, placing 18th in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and 11th in the world for sustainability. The university's multidisciplinary initiatives bring together researchers to tackle pressing global challenges, such as creating a more sustainable world and developing new treatments for chronic diseases.
The university community includes not just students but also over 9,400 academic and professional staff members and more than 445,000 alumni worldwide. The University of Sydney offers a vibrant campus life, with over 240 student-run clubs and societies, providing opportunities for students to connect, make lifelong friends, and build a rich and diverse community.
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The student body includes a diverse range of nationalities, backgrounds and life experiences
The University of Sydney is a diverse and inclusive community with approximately 54,000 students, 9,400 academic and professional staff, and over 445,000 alumni worldwide. The student body is comprised of individuals from various nationalities, backgrounds, and life experiences, enriching the campus with a multitude of perspectives and unique stories.
The university embraces diversity in all its forms, including differences in values, beliefs, attitudes, expectations, and behaviours. Students hail from a range of socio-economic backgrounds, with some being the first in their families to pursue a university education. The campus community also includes individuals from regional, remote, or rural areas, as well as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students, students with disabilities, mature-age learners, migrants, and those from non-English speaking backgrounds. This diversity extends beyond visible differences, as some students may have invisible identities such as refugee or asylum-seeker status, educational disadvantages, or other intersecting life experiences.
The University of Sydney's commitment to diversity is further reflected in its multidisciplinary initiatives and research centres. The university fosters collaboration among researchers from various disciplines to tackle global challenges, such as creating a more sustainable future and developing new treatments for chronic diseases. This commitment to inclusivity and intellectual excitement extends to the campus, where students can connect and learn from one another through over 240 student-run clubs and societies.
The university's dedication to diversity and inclusion is also evident in its teaching practices. Lecturers and tutors are encouraged to create welcoming and engaging learning environments, using icebreaker activities to help students share their prior experiences and backgrounds. The university recognises the importance of correct language usage, including the use of preferred pronouns, to make all students feel valued and respected. With a rich history dating back to its founding principle of admitting students based on academic merit regardless of religious beliefs or social status, the University of Sydney continues to foster an environment that celebrates and embraces diversity.
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The University has over 240 student-run clubs and societies
The University of Sydney is ranked 18th in the world and has a diverse community of talented and visionary thinkers. The university community includes more than 80,000 students, 9,400 academic and professional staff, and 445,000+ alumni. It offers an exceptional range of study areas, with six disciplines ranked in the global top 20 and 36 in the top 50. With more than 400 study areas and a wide range of professional and specialist degrees, the university offers flexible degree structures to prepare students for their future careers.
Outside the classroom, students can make lifelong friends and connections through the more than 240 student-run clubs and societies that bring the campus to life. These clubs and societies encompass a wide range of interests and activities, bringing together like-minded students to engage in extracurricular pursuits.
For instance, students can join cultural societies that celebrate and explore specific cultures, such as the Albanian Society or the Afghan Society. There are also course-specific societies related to students' academic interests, as well as sports societies that offer a range of athletic activities, from traditional sports like football to extreme sports like kitesurfing.
Additionally, students can find community service clubs focused on giving back, such as Feed The Families Club, or ethnic and religious unions that cater to specific cultural or religious backgrounds, like the Black Student Union or Chi Alpha Christian Fellowship. Political interest groups are also prevalent on campus, including both liberal and conservative organizations.
The University of Sydney's clubs and societies provide opportunities for personal growth, leadership development, and community engagement, enriching the overall university experience for their diverse student body.
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Sydney University is one of the world's leading research-intensive universities
The University of Sydney is one of the world's leading research-intensive universities, with more than 150 research centres and networks dedicated to groundbreaking research. The university's academics are leaders in their fields, publishing thousands of articles and books each year. The University of Sydney is ranked 18th globally and has more than 80,000 students, 9,400 academic and professional staff, and 445,000+ alumni worldwide.
The University of Sydney has a diverse community of talented and visionary thinkers, offering an exceptional range of study areas. With more than 400 study areas and a wide range of professional and specialist degrees, the university provides flexible degree structures that prepare students for a variety of careers. The university also offers generous scholarships, entrepreneurial programs, and industry placements that equip students with the support and leadership qualities they need to excel in their future endeavours.
The University of Sydney is committed to empowering brilliant minds from all walks of life and has a strong focus on multidisciplinary initiatives. Researchers from various fields come together to address the world's greatest challenges, such as creating a more sustainable world, reaching net zero by 2050, developing new treatments for chronic diseases, and unlocking the potential of quantum. The university collaborates with over 500 industry partners to translate its research into market solutions.
The University of Sydney also has a strong presence in the Asia-Pacific region, with student exchange agreements with approximately 300 universities worldwide, including notable institutions such as the University of British Columbia in Canada, Fudan University in China, and Uppsala University in Sweden. The university's research centres cover a diverse range of disciplines, including the Brain and Mind Centre, the China Studies Centre, and the Centre for Carbon, Water and Food. These centres contribute to the university's reputation as a leader in research and innovation.
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Sydney University was one of the first universities in the world to admit women on the same basis as men
The University of Sydney is a public research university in Sydney, Australia, and the oldest university in the country and in Oceania, having been founded in 1850. The university has a large community, including more than 80,000 students, 9,400 academic and professional staff, and over 445,000 alumni.
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Frequently asked questions
The University of Sydney has around 54,000 students, making it the third-largest university in Australia by student numbers.
The University of Sydney has approximately 20,000 postgraduate students, making it the university with the second-highest number of postgraduate students in Australia.
The University of Sydney is ranked 18th in the world according to the QS World University Rankings 2025. It is also ranked 11th in the world for sustainability and 1st in the world for the impact of education.
The University of Sydney has a diverse community of over 80,000 students, with more than 240 student-run clubs and societies. The university also offers a wide range of professional and specialist degrees, as well as generous scholarships and entrepreneurial programs.











































