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Sydney Life

The University attracts more of the top 5 per cent of local school leavers than any other university in Australia and our international students come from a diversity of countries, so you will be in good company.

Making friends and laying the foundation for relationships in life and work are important student experiences. The Business School will encourage you to get to know your fellow students, to work together on projects, and to learn from each other.

The University of Sydney students enjoy the most active student life of any campus in Australia. Through The University of Sydney Union you will have access to 250 clubs, ranging from recreational clubs such as the Speleological Society  and the Musical Society, school and department-specific clubs, and clubs focusing on humanitarian issues, religion or professional development. These activities will give you valuable leadership experience and development opportunities, as well as the opportunity to meet interesting and talented people from all over the world.

In 2006 the University Union Women's Debating Championship in Sydney was sponsored by the Faculty of Economics and Business. In 2007 students from that team went on to win the World Universities Debating Championship (WUDC), which is one of the largest annual international student events in the world.

The Economics and Business Building is located directly opposite the University's aquatic centre, providing easy access to the swimming pool, gymnasium, squash, basketball and tennis courts, indoor soccer and martial arts. The main sports ground is home to many sporting teams, including the University's rugby team, which has made the final of the Sydney Rugby Premiership for the past four years. Manning Bar is a great place to wind-down and socialise. You can also walk to the nearby suburbs of Glebe and Newtown, famous for their cafes and restaurants. The City of Sydney is only 10 minutes away by bus.

Our campus is a wonderful mix of sandstone history, modern architecture, excellent sporting and entertainment facilities, and convenient access to all that the City of Sydney has to offer.

Why study Business in Australia?

Facts and figures

Proven record of achievement

  • After 15 years of uninterrupted economic growth, Australia was, in 2006, ranked the most resilient economy in the world for the fifth year in succession (International Institute for Management Development World Competitiveness Yearbook, 2006).
  • Australia is now one of the top ten most competitive economies in the world (World Economic Forum, Global Competitiveness Report, 2005-06). Australia has moved up four places since last year's index, which according to WEF, can be attributed to its world-class public institutions, sound public finances and very low levels of corruption.
  • Australia's strong economic growth rates (average annual real GDP growth of 3.7 per cent during 1998-2004) have exceeded most other major Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development economies including the USA, UK, Germany and Japan (OECD 2005).
  • Australia has developed into a sophisticated knowledge based economy, with services now accounting for 79 per cent of economic activity (ABS, June quarter 2005).
  • Australia is ranked second in the world for the standard of ethical practices implemented by companies (IMD WCY 2005).
  • The effective supervision of management of companies in Australia by corporate boards is highly regarded and ranked first in the world (IMD WCY 2006).
  • The management of shareholder value is ranked third best in the world (IMD WCY 2005).
  • Australia is the fastest place in the world to start a new business with regulatory procedures taking just two days (World Bank, 2006).
  • Australia's educational system is ranked second in the Asia-Pacific and fourth in the world for meeting the needs of a competitive economy (IMD WCY 2005).
  • Characterised by early technology adoption rates and strong business-to-business growth, Australia is ranked second in the Asia Pacific region and 10th globally for 'e-business readiness' (Economic Intelligence Unit, 2005).

Diverse, supportive, and friendly environment

  • Australia is home to one of the most multilingual population in the Asia Pacific region, with citizens from over 200 countries. About 3 million of Australia's population of 20 million speak a language other than English at home (Australian Bureau of Statistics, 2005).
  • Australia is perceived as home to the friendliest, most honest and hospitable people on the globe (Anholt-GMI Nation Brands Index 2005).
  • Australia ranks third in the world as having a national culture that is open to foreign ideas (IMD WCY 2005).
  • Australia is one of the top two places in the Asia-Pacific region where expatriates want to live and work (EIU 2005).
  • Australian cities are regularly judged to be among the most liveable in the world by a raft of international surveys. Five of Australia's mainland capital cities have been ranked in the top 12 liveable cities in the world (EIU 2005).
  • The cost of living in Australia is fourth lowest in the developed world, behind only Canada, New Zealand and the USA and the quality of life has been judged best in the world (IMD WCY 2005).
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