What does Sydney have to offer?

Where can you study?

Number of universities: 10
Other higher education providers: 28
New South Wales' total student population stands at around 330,000. Of these, around 8 per cent hail from interstate and a further 24 per cent are international students (DEEWR, 2008).

Your study options
Sydney is known for offering courses in just about everything — from Sanskrit to pig production.

Student life

Sydney's universities are scattered all over the suburbs, and the vibe changes dramatically from one campus to the next. Students at city campuses tend to cluster in bohemian Glebe and Newtown while other institutions are based on the posh North Shore or far out of the CBD in the picturesque Hawkesbury River district. After class there is always something happening as the city plays host to an endless list of festivals and events including the Mardi Gras, Big Day Out music festival, Sydney Film Festival and Australian Fashion Week. The nightlife caters for all tastes with regular opera, symphony and theatre performances in grand venues through to the rowdy nightclub strips of Oxford Street and Kings Cross. Thanks to Sydney's multicultural population, there are plenty of restaurants serving cheap food from around the globe. Chinatown is particularly popular with those on a budget, and nearby Paddy's flea market or the Glebe weekend market are great places to browse for bargains.

Sydneysiders are a glamorous bunch and those looking for luxury (with a price tag to match) will find it in the five-star restaurants and trendy bars on Sydney Harbour or the designer shopping strips of Oxford and Castlereagh streets. On the weekend many locals take advantage of the city's beautiful beaches and go surfing, swimming or sailing. From the CBD, the golden sands of Bondi or Manly are just a half hour or so away by bus or ferry.

When it comes to spectator sports, rugby league reigns supreme but AFL, rugby union and cricket all get their share of air time. New arrivals can join the tourists for a look at Sydney's most popular sights — a visit to the Opera House, a walk (or climb) along the Harbour Bridge, a day trip to Taronga Zoo and a stroll around The Rocks, Sydney's historic old town. For others looking to escape their assignments, the crowds and busy city life, Sydney's surrounds offer short breaks for all tastes. For the active there is hiking in the scenic Blue Mountains, water sports on Lake Macquarie and great skiing on the NSW snowfields. For those looking for more relaxing pursuits, there are beautiful scenic walks and wine tasting in the Hunter Valley.

Studying and living in regional New South Wales

University campuses in regional New South Wales span from Lismore in the North down to Albury on the Victorian border.

If the big city isn't for you, the outdoor lifestyle and lower cost of living of regional New South Wales may appeal. A number of the state's university campuses are along the eastern coastline and others lie to the west and south, so students can choose from pristine beaches and subtropical rainforests in the smaller towns, to great surf and nightlife in the regional centres.

What does New South Wales have to offer?

Where can you study?
Number of universities: 5
Other higher education providers: 3

Your study options

Regional New South Wales is known for its course offerings in agriculture and viticulture, but institutions offer many general courses such as nursing, education and business administration as well. Over the last few years several universities in regional New South Wales have introduced courses in professional fields such as veterinary science, dentistry and pharmacy, which suffer acute skill shortages in regional and rural areas.

Student life

Regional centres like Newcastle, Lismore and Wollongong offer the best of both worlds — a city feel without the crowds and high costs of Sydney. The country lifestyle of Wagga Wagga or perhaps a sea-change in sunny Coffs Harbour may also appeal. Smaller rural campuses have the advantage of feeling relaxed and friendly, but you may miss the variety of a larger campus. Make sure to research each town for what it has to offer rather than focusing exclusively on the courses available.

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