University of Sydney

University of Sydney
New South Wales 2006
Web address: www.usyd.edu.au
ADS contact phone: +61 (2) 9351 4008
ADS contact fax: +61 (2) 9351 4013
Relevant campuses: Camperdown and Darlington, Burren St, Cumberland, Surry Hills, Kirkbride, St James, Mallett Street, Orange.

University of Sydney Brochure

Community and surrounds

Most of the campuses of The University of Sydney are located in Sydney. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and the largest and oldest city in Australia, with a population of around four million. It is a dynamic city, and many national and international companies are based there, making it more busy and crowded than most other Australian cities. It has a particularly active nightlife. Sydney also has the world’s largest suburban area, with suburbs spreading far to the north, south and west. The metropolis, which hosted the 2000 Olympic Games, is renowned for being safe, tolerant and multicultural, offering a wide array of cultural and culinary experiences. A variety of ethnic groups contribute to the community.

Sydney is famous for its harbour and Opera House, along with a vibrant culture based around the inner city beaches. One of Australia’s most famous beaches, Bondi Beach, is just a short distance from the city centre, as are numerous other beaches and quieter bays. Sydney is enclosed to the north and south by national parks, and to the west by the Blue Mountains.

Climate

The average temperature in summer is about 16 to 24 degrees Celsius (but it can reach 40 degrees), and in winter 12 to 19 degrees. The wettest months are March and June.

Cost of living and accommodation

The cost of living in the Sydney area, including rent, is estimated at $275 to $345 a week for a single student ($14,000 to $18,000 a year).

Most students live off campus. Share accommodation in a house or flat costs $120 to $190 a week. Private board is $130 to $170 a week. Renting a house or flat is $150 to $300 a week for one bedroom, plus $60 to $150 a week for each additional bedroom. A flatette costs between $100 and $200. Accommodation is more expensive close to the city centre.

The costs of residential colleges range from $225 to $290 a week for full board and lodging in a single room with shared facilities.

Campus descriptions

The university has eight teaching campuses: Camperdown and Darlington, Burren Street, Cumberland, Surry Hills, Kirkbride, St James, Mallett Street and Orange. There are 45,000 students enrolled at the university.

The main campus, Camperdown, is located three kilometres from the city centre on 70 hectares and contains both modern and historic buildings. The campus is set among the inner-city suburbs of Glebe and Newtown, which provide inexpensive restaurants and entertainment. Students can access a wide range of services including academic assistance, childcare, health care, counselling, careers advice and facilities for students with disabilities. There are other facilities located on campus such as sporting, banks, a post office, a chemist, a newsagent, and various food outlets.

The Mallett Street and Burren Street campuses are within walking distance of the main campus. The campuses of St James and Surry Hills are located in the central business district of Sydney. Kirkbride is in the suburb of Rozelle, a 20 minute bus ride from the Camperdown campus.

The Cumberland campus is in the suburb of Lidcombe, approximately 20 minutes by car or 40 minutes by bus or train from the main campus. Student Welfare Services provides support as well as ongoing academic skills and English language tuition. The campus also has banking and postal facilities as well as various food outlets.

The Orange campus is in the city of Orange in rural New South Wales, about four hours’ drive from Sydney. Orange has a population of 35,000. The campus is characterised by its country location, and has a range of facilities, including a library, a campus farm, a bookshop and recreational facilities.

International student population

At the University of Sydney in 2003, there were around 8,000 students from 100 countries. Of these 5,246 students were from East Asia; 89 from Papua New Guinea and the Pacific Islands; 586 from South Asia and the Indian Ocean region and 121 from Africa. Most of the remaining overseas students were from countries that do not receive ADS awards such as USA, UK, Canada, Germany, Norway, Sweden, France, Russia and Iran.

Family and community services

There is a large medical centre located on Camperdown campus, offering general practitioner, physiotherapy and some specialist services. Sydney also has a number of public and private hospitals, including Royal Prince Alfred Hospital adjacent to the Camperdown campus, and a multitude of health clinics and women’s health services close-by in the city. Sydney is very multicultural and it is usually possible to find a general practitioner who speaks one’s native language.

The International Student Services Unit provides English conversation groups and discussion meetings for the partners of students on the Camperdown campus.

As a capital city, Sydney has a huge range of industries and companies offering a variety of employment opportunities. Sydney has strong multi-lingual capabilities.

There are several multi-lingual radio stations, newspapers and magazines. Ethnic organisations from many different cultures support the ethnic communities.

School fees

In Australia, school education is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 15 years. Australian Government sponsored students are exempt from the payment of school fees for public institutions in NSW, however parents should budget for expenses such as school uniforms and excursions.

In Sydney, there are many primary and secondary schools (State, private and Catholic) in which students can enrol their children.

Childcare facilities

Students sponsored by the Australian Government are eligible for financial assistance for childcare. The amount of benefit payable will depend on the income you earn (including your stipend payment) and the type of care. Students are required to apply at a Centrelink Office once they have arrived in Australia and secured a place for their children.

There are childcare centres at Darlington and Camperdown. Generally, there is a high demand for places at childcare centres in Sydney and the cost of childcare can be high. Childcare centres are available for children below school age. Costs vary from $43 per day ($215 per week) to $50 per day ($250 per week). For details of childcare centres affiliated with the University of Sydney, visit:

www.usyd.edu.au/su/childcare/frames/centresfr.html.

Facilities for special needs

The International Student Services Unit offers individual counselling and welfare advice for students and their families. It also provides pre-departure information, orientation programs and a range of programs throughout the year aimed at helping students adjust successfully to living and studying in Sydney.

The Disability Services Officer located within the Disability Services Office provides advice and support to students who have a disability. This is one of the first places to contact for students with a disability.

All forms of assistance are geared to minimise the impact of the student’s disability on their studies - but also to maximise independence. The most important aspect of assistance for students with disabilities at the University of Sydney is that it is tailored to the needs of the individual.

Facilities and support are available from many sources including the university’s Student Services Division (Disability Services, Counselling, Financial Assistance, Student Accommodation, Casual Employment Service, Learning Assitance), as well as the Health Service. Support is also available from the Student Union, the Student Representative Council, and the Postgraduate Representative Association (SUPRA).

The Disability Services Officers are located at the Camperdown and Cumberland campuses. For more information, visit the disabilty services section of the website.

Foods for different cultures

There are many stores and butchers that cater for those students requiring halal, kosher or strictly vegetarian food. Many of Sydney’s areas are dedicated to different cultural foods. For instance, there is a Spanish town and Chinatown, located in the heart of the central business district (close to the university), as well as Chinese, Malay, Vietnamese, Thai and Japanese food available around the city and suburbs. There is a number of multicultural markets that offer a wide range of foods and produce from around the world.

Religious facilities

Prayer facilities for a number of faiths are available on campus, and the Camperdown campus offers a special prayer room for Muslim students. The city also has a range of churches, mosques, temples and spiritual centres where people can attend according to their tradition.

Public transport

From the airport: Sydney airport is nine kilometres from the city centre. The university provides an airport arrival service. There is also an Airport Express Bus Service, which costs around $10. Trains run from the airport to Central Railway Station, (approximately $10) which is near the main campus. From the city to accommodation in the university precincts, the cost is around $15 by taxi.

The Orange campus is accessible by domestic plane (one-way fares from $296-$414), bus ($40) or train ($40).

Getting around: Sydney has a public transport system that provides bus, train and ferry services throughout the city. Transport is readily available to every campus. Central Railway Station is a five-minute bus ride from the main campus. Cumberland campus is accessible by train and bus. Australian Government sponsored students receive a substantial discount on public transport in NSW.