Why Sydney?

The University of Sydney has a strong history of support for students from backgrounds with a low socio-economic status (SES).

For example, we provide extensive financial, learning and personal support, and offer a specialised first-year transition program. Low SES students who join the University, often through special entry programs, have excellent rates of retention and success.

The University of Sydney's Compass - find your way to higher education project ('Compass') will build and extend these support programs, focusing on pre-tertiary students from low SES backgrounds and their school communities. We have developed activities in consultation with faculties, the NSW Department of Education and Training and principals of the selected partner primary and secondary schools.

The Compass project will also build on the University's capacity for socially inclusive planning and practice and offer a series of public lectures by leaders in the field.