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University of New South Wales

Sydney
New South Wales 2052
Web address: www.unsw.edu.au
ADS contact phone: +61 (2) 9385 3090
ADS contact fax: +61 (2) 9385 3732

Relevant campuses: Kensington, College of Fine Arts, University College (Australian Defence Force Academy, Canberra).

Community and surrounds

The University of New South Wales is in Sydney. Sydney is the capital of New South Wales and the largest and most dynamic city in Australia. Located on the South-east coast of Australia, the Sydney area was home to the Aboriginal people for thousands of years until the British arrived in 1788 to establish a convict settlement. After a difficult beginning, Sydney has developed into a cosmopolitan city that offers more entertainment, shopping and sightseeing than any other place in Australia. Its population of four million people live in one of the world's most multicultural cities. Sydney Harbour, one of the largest and most spectacular in the world, is famous for the Harbour Bridge and the Opera House. It is also a very busy waterway crossed by ships, ferries, fast catamarans and sailing boats.

Sydney's mild climate lends itself to a healthy outdoor lifestyle enjoyed by many of its inhabitants. Surrounded by beaches and bays to the east, National parks to the north and south and the Blue Mountains to the west, Sydney's physical geography provides opportunity for numerous outdoor activities including swimming, hiking and camping.

Frequent major arts, cultural and sporting events, thousands of eateries and restaurants, excellent shopping options, an exciting and varied nightlife and weekly markets to suit all types make living in Sydney an entertaining and varied experience.

The people in Australia are, generally speaking, friendly and easy to get along with. You will find that most of them are relatively patient. The people also come from very diverse ethnic backgrounds which range from Anglo-Celtic and European cultures through to South Pacific, Asian, American and Middle Eastern cultures. Partly because of the diverse cultural background of its people, Australians are generally relatively accommodating and tolerant of other cultures and sensitive to differing beliefs and ways of living. You will also find that there are a large variety of different accents which exist in Australian society.

Climate

The temperature in Sydney ranges from 18 to 32 degrees Celcius in Summer, with the occasional hot spells of over 38 degrees. Winter temperatures reange from 8 to 18 degrees Celcius, with the overnight temperature sometimes dropping below 6 degrees. Rainfall in Sydney is usually spread fairly evenly throughout the year.

Cost of living and accommodation

The university estimates that a single international student requires a minimum of $16,000 to $18,000 to cover living expenses in each year of study. Students should have an additional $2,000 at least to cover the initial establishment expenses. Families should expect to pay $750 to $800 a week on living expenses.

The university offers a range of accommodation from self-catering apartments (around $144 a week) to full-board residential colleges ($250 to $310 a week). Off campus homestay (full-board) costs $220 to $280 a week and private shared accommodation costs $130 to $180 a week.

Campus descriptions

The main campus is located at Kensington, in the southeastern suburbs of Sydney, approximately 30 minutes by bus or five kilometres from the central business district of Sydney. It is easily accessible from the nearby seaside suburbs of Bondi, Bronte, Clovelly, Coogee and Maroubra. Numerous parklands, golf courses and shopping centres are within easy reach from the campus.

The university has modern buildings in attractive grounds, with extensive library and computing facilities, and a wide range of sporting and recreational facilities. Kensington campus has two banks and a credit union. There are over 100 clubs and societies on campus. Among the sporting facilities are an Olympic standard 50-metre heated indoor pool, squash and tennis courts and sporting fields. Plays, concerts, films, recitals, and other cultural gatherings are frequent.

The College of Fine Arts is located in Paddington, an inner city suburb of Sydney and the area housing many of the city’s art galleries. Amenities include a student art material shop and a studio flat. The campus has specialist facilities for a wide range of arts.

The Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra is also part of the University of New South Wales. Canberra is south of Sydney, in the Australian Capital Territory.

The university offers an orientation program, Passport to UNSW, to help students settle in to their campus and surrounds.

International student population

In 2003, there were 8,850 international students enrolled at UNSW. Within the total student population of 32,293, there were 3,002 from South East Asia, 3,772 from North East Asia, 506 from the Indian sub-continent and the Middle East, 691 from Europe, 425 from South Asia and the Middle East, 124 from Africa, 673 from the Americas and 69 from the Pacific.

Family and community services

There are medical, dental and physiotherapy services on campus, as well as many medical practices in the suburbs surrounding the university. Public and private hospitals are also located nearby.

In Sydney, there are many primary and secondary schools (State, private and Catholic) in which students can enrol their children. In New South Wales, schooling is compulsory for all children from the ages of five to 15.

International students studying in New South Wales state educational institutions may enrol their children/dependants in NSW Government schools. Children/dependants of international students who have a full scholarship from the Australian Government or a publicly funded Australian higher education institution are exempted from Temporary Visa Holders Education Fee. For more information on how to apply, visit www.det.nsw.edu.au/papers/tempvisansw.

As a capital city, Sydney has a huge range of industries and companies offering a variety of employment opportunities. Sydney has strong multi-lingual capabilities. There are several multi-lingual radio stations, as well as multi-lingual newspapers and magazines. Ethnic organisations from many different cultures support the ethnic communities.

Childcare facilities

There are currently three childcare centres on campus. Kanga's House offers day care places for children aged three months to five years. The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:00am to 6:00pm. During January, the Centre runs a holiday care program. Telephone +61 2 9662 8353. Email kangahouse@unsw.edu.au.

The House at Pooh Corner on lower campus is a long day care centre open from 8:00am to 6:00pm for 48 weeks of the year and caters to children aged from six weeks to school age. Priority is given to UNSW students' children. UNSW Postgraduate Board and the Student Guild sponsor the House at Pooh Corner. Telephone +61 2 9663 5044, email poohcorner@unsw.edu.au, web www.poohcorner.unsw.edu.au.

Honey Pot Childcare Centre is a University Union and Student Guild funded centre and offers long day care and occasional care for the children of UNSW students (aged from two months to five years). The facility is located two minutes' walk away from upper Kensington campus at 22 Botany St, Randwick. Telephone +61 2 9385 1230, email honeypot@union.unsw.edu.au.

There are also several off campus childcare facilities located in the local area. The cost of childcare services varies from centre to centre, ranging from $30 to $38 per day. ADS students with children in childcare can apply for Child Care Benefit, an Australian Government scheme to assist parents with childcare costs.

Facilities for special needs

The university has a policy of equal opportunity in education for students with disabilities and a Code of Practise - “Students with Disabilities”. The university has an Equity Officer (Disability) who coordinates a range of services for students with disabilities including notetakers, readers, sign-interpreters, examination provisions, library assistance, liaison with academic staff, parking provisions and disability resource materials. The Equity Officer (Disability) is based within the Equity and Diversity Unit.

Foods for different cultures

On campus, the University Union and many other food outlets provide a variety of diverse ethnic foods from European through to Middle Eastern, South American, North and South Asian cuisines. A wide variety of shops, which sell meat, vegetables, clothing, pharmaceuticals and general utensils are located in the suburbs within walking distance of the university. These include many Asian grocery stores and halal food outlets. Some shopping is available on campus.

Throughout Sydney, there are many stores and butchers that cater for those students requiring kosher or strictly vegetarian food. Many of Sydney’s areas are dedicated to different cultural foods. For instance, there is a Spanish town and Chinatown, located in the heart of the central business district, as well as Chinese, Malay, Vietnamese, Pacific Islanders, Thai and Japanese food around the city and suburbs. There are a number of multicultural markets that offer a wide range of foods and produce from around the world.

Religious facilities

The university has a Religious Centre on the Kensington campus. The Centre is available for students and staff, including student religious organisations. The Christian Chaplaincy, with Anglican, Orthodox Christian, Roman Catholic, Uniting Church and Pentecostal Chaplains, offers services including worship, fellowship, counselling and leadership in biblical and doctrinal studies. The Islamic Society and the University Buddhist Society, are also located in the Centre.

Both societies provide facilities for prayers and have a small library. Due to the diverse nature of Sydney’s population, all major religions are represented in Sydney, including Islam, Judaism, Buddhism, Hinduism, Sikh and Bahai faiths.

Public transport

From the airport: It is 20 minutes by bus from Sydney’s international airport to the university. The university offers an airport arrival reception service.

Getting around: Sydney’s public transport network consists of buses, trains, taxis, ferries and private bus companies serving suburbs. Public transport to the university is by bus. During the university session, there are special express buses between the Kensington campus and the Central Railway Station and Circular Quay.