Teaching and learning
The University of Sydney is committed to educating the best and brightest students regardless of their cultural background.
Sydney enrols over 45,000 undergraduate and postgraduate students from more than 120 countries. With over 1000 undergraduate and postgraduate degrees spread across 16 faculties, these young men and women are free to pursue a broad range of subjects, many of which are not available at other Australian Universities.
There is no such thing as a typical University of Sydney student. The University prides itself on its diverse student body, attracting students from different nationalities, religions and economic backgrounds. In the past year the University has awarded over 1350 scholarships to undergraduate and postgraduate students; helping disadvantaged students achieve their higher education goals and our most promising minds focus on their learning and research without the distractions of financial worries.
Our students benefit from studying alongside top researchers, and in some cases, assisting with their research. This practical experience challenges our students to excel as leaders in whatever field they choose upon graduation.
Recently the University has:
- Created a Peace and Conflict major for students of the arts, promoting interdisciplinary research and an understanding of the causes and conditions affecting conflict resolution. The Centre for Peace and Conflict Studies seeks to promote a positive dialogue among individuals and communities, facilitating peace in interpersonal relationships, organisations and international relations. Students in this program benefit from a strong theoretical grounding, gaining an understanding of concepts crucial to their success as postgraduates and beyond.
- Introduced a Global Energy and Resources Law course focusing on energy security, international access to energy resources and approaches to reforming the Australian energy market. As resource and energy exports are likely to play a significant role in the future of the Australian economy, this course will allow students to take leadership in an area vital to national affairs.
- Promoted indigenous participation in tertiary education through the Koori Centre’s Cadigal program, which provides support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders who want to pursue higher education. Two students will graduate from the program this year, including its first Indigenous PhD scholar.
- Launched the new Master of Human Rights and Democratisation program. Established by the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences with funding from the European Union, the course gives students from throughout Asia and Australia the tools to advocate for human rights and democracy within their communities and throughout the world.
- With the support of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, trained and mentored five gifted young scientists from eastern Africa in cereal rust pathology and resistance breeding. These beneficiaries of the University’s teaching will be given the tools to combat the significant rust threats which continue to put global food security in jeopardy. They will also be able to impart their knowledge in their own countries, establishing a self-sustaining system of in-country talent development.