Exploring The Faculties of the University of Sydney

The University of Sydney is one of the very first universities established in Australia; it is the alma mater of many brilliant world-class achievers in all fields and careers. Gough Whitlam and Victor Chang are just a few of the famous graduates of this university. It ranks  2nd in Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2020 and 4th in the world for graduate employability, 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings.

If you intend to join the University of Sydney, you have to be fully aware of what the university teaches and what are the faculties you could choose from. To help you with that, check out our breakdown of the faculties at  The University of Sydney.

Studying at The University of Sydney:

The university has many faculties with a diverse number of courses to choose from; you can even graduate with more than one degree. You could choose between one major, two majors, or a major and a minor in two different fields if you want to. Combining Majors is called Bachelor of Advanced Studies, and it takes approximately 3 - 4 years at the university to complete this programme. To learn more about the Bachelor of Advanced Studies, you can visit this link. Being able to customise your degree is a great advantage that will prepare you for a world full of possibilities ahead and give you an extra edge for your dream career.

At the University of Sydney, there are 9 fields of study: 

1. Arts and social sciences
2. Architecture, design and planning
3. Business
4. Education and social work
5. Engineering and computer science
6. Law
7. Medicine and health
8. Music
9. Science

These fields are divided into faculties and schools; the major faculties are as follows:

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences: 

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney is one of the top-ranked every year, around the world.  Ranked 22nd in 2020 QS World University Rankings and 25th in the world for Social Sciences as per the 2020 QS World University Ranking, the faculty produces outstanding research through initiatives like The Sydney Social Sciences Advanced Research Centre, which offers pop-up research labs and peer-reviewed research. The faculty has a wide selection of schools like the School of Economics, School of Languages and Cultures, School of Literature, Art and Media, School of Philosophical and Historical Inquiry, School of Social and Political Sciences, and Sydney School of Education and Social Work. Also, the faculty works on exciting community engagement programs like language programs for refugees and workshops to improve high school literacy outcomes.

The Faculty of Engineering:

The Faculty of Engineering at The University of Sydney offers world-class teaching and research labs while investing in healthier and more sustainable methods of learning. It includes different schools like School of Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic Engineering, School of Biomedical Engineering, School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, School of Computer Science, and School of Electrical and Information Engineering. Research at the faculty is outstandingly focused on the latest technology like robotics, intelligent systems, and reimagining waste. The faculty also has many partnerships with different organisations so that students can enjoy many events and follow the latest updates of the industry. 

The Faculty of Business:

Considered one of the oldest business schools in Australia, The Faculty of Business was founded in 1920. It is ranked the 15th faculty in the Asia Pacific Region and 1st in Australia for MBA, Executive MBA and Master of Management. It covers multiple disciplines, including accounting, business analytics, finance, business law, and even marketing. Moreover, it provides students with opportunities to work on real projects offered by industry partners as a part of their training. Learning methods offered inside the faculty include face-to-face learning, studio learning and practical knowledge. 

The Faculty of Medicine and Health:

The Faculty of Medicine at Sydney University has roots dating back to 1856. It continued to pioneer education through the 20th century and expanded to include different schools, including pharmacy, nursing, dentistry, public health and more. The school is known as an ever-developing community where the staff is always optimising the programs to ensure they meet the latest requirements of the field. 

The Faculty of Science:

The Faculty of Science was established in 1882, one of the most well-known faculties of the university. It includes many specialisations like chemistry, geosciences, environmental sciences, mathematics and statistics, and physics and more with practical industry partnerships with top-tier companies like Microsoft, IBM, etc. These partnerships include Quantum partnership with Microsoft, Quantum spin-off company Q-CTRL teams up with IBM and collaborating with Sirtex Medical in nanotechnology.

Fees and Costs:

If you are thinking about joining one of the faculties at the University of Sydney, you first need to determine your major and the number of years you will take to finish your major. Afterwards, you can calculate the fees per course; some courses may require additional fees for books or materials. 

 Loans for international students are available at The University of Sydney with different schemes and plans. Interest-free loans are also available to help you pay for living and study expenses which you can learn all about here.

Student Health Insurance:

You will need to purchase student health insurance while studying at the University of Sydney to ensure you are able to access public health services if you are ill. This health insurance will provide you with access to the University Health Service and public hospitals in Australia. The cost of the health insurance will vary according to how long you stay as well as your circumstances, check this link for further information on the health system in Australia. Moreover, you can read our A Student Guide to the Healthcare System in Australia blog to understand more.

Finally, upon deciding on your faculty, choose a good student accommodation near the University of Sydney to enjoy a unique study experience. Don't forget to read our Student Accommodation Terminology blog if you are not sure what fits you best.