Having trouble viewing this email? View the online version

Professor Joanne Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)  

Dear students,

If you’re starting your studies with us this semester, welcome to the University of Sydney. I’m thrilled you’ve chosen our university to pursue your studies and I look forward to seeing you on campus for our Semester 2 Welcome Program, where you’ll have the opportunity to meet your peers and teachers, find out more about your faculty, school and course, and make new friends through social events and activities. 

Our Program starts today, Monday 20 July, with dedicated orientations for domestic, international, undergraduate and postgraduate students, followed by faculty and school orientation events, workshops, and activities next week. Welcome Fest, where campus comes alive with activities and the opportunity to join clubs and societies, will take place over the first two days of Week 1, Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 August.

If you’re returning for another semester, welcome back. I encourage you to also get involved in our Welcome Program if you’re in Sydney ahead of Week 1, especially if you’re moving into a new course or postgraduate study. It’s a great opportunity to meet your new peers, re-connect with your community, and ensure you have everything you need for the semester ahead.

Have your say this semester

This semester you’ll be invited to participate in a number of University and national surveys, including the National Student Safety Survey, Student Experience Survey, and Student Evaluation of Teaching surveys.

We’re listening to you, and using your feedback to make positive changes to your learning and campus experience. In response to what you’ve told us recently, we’ve continued to improve the quality and functionality of your learning and study spaces, as well as expand the range of affordable food options on campus, with $5 meals at our new Canteen available later this semester.

If you’re invited to participate in a survey, I encourage you to have your say. By sharing your feedback, you'll be shaping a better student experience for all.

I look forward to seeing you on campus soon.

Best,  

Joanne  

Professor Joanne Wright  
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education and Students)  

Access and review your Semester 2 timetable 🗓️

Your timetable is now available in Sydney Timetable. You can review and make adjustments to your timetable until 11:59 pm Sunday 16 August.

Have you got a USI? 🪪

A USI (Unique student identifier) is your individual education identifier issued by the Australian Government. You need one to study in Australia, access your results and graduate. You can apply for one on the Australian Government website and provide it to us in Sydney Student. Find out more about USIs and what you need to do. 

Make sure you're enrolled correctly ✅

Log in to Sydney Student to confirm you're enrolled correctly. If you're:

– a new student, read our guide to enrolment. And if you're returning after a break in your studies, ensure you've re-enrolled correctly

– an international student, make sure you know the study load requirements relating to your student visa

– a PhD student, familiarise yourself with HDR units of study. 

Get set up and stay secure online 💻

Before Semester 2 starts, make sure you're set up with the University's key digital services, including your UniKey, email, Canvas, Wi‑Fi and Multi‑Factor Authentication (MFA).

While you're at it, take a few minutes to complete the new Cyber Security Essentials Training for Students on Canvas. You'll learn how to spot scams and phishing emails, protect your accounts, and respond if something doesn't look right.

Want views like this while you study or catch up with friends? Head over to the Fisher Library rooftop, one of many hidden gems across campus ✨

In our Student Update, we asked what you'd like to know more about. From finding the best study spots and coffee on campus to how to make friends, we've got you covered ahead of Semester 2.

📍 Find your favourite study spot

Whether you need a quiet corner between classes, a group study room, or a late-night study session, our friends at the Library have rounded up some of the best places to study across campus.

☕ Fuel up between classes

From hidden café favourites to budget-friendly eats, there's no shortage of places to grab a coffee, lunch or study snack around campus, with more exciting venues launching in Semester 2 (watch this space!)

🤝 Make the most of your uni experience by joining a club or society

Joining a club or society is a great way to make friends, lean into your interests (or find a new one) and make the most of university life.

But don't just take our word for it! Hear from Fangchen Liu, current student and co-founder of Social FC, about how Social FC is more than just a soccer society – it's a community that's helped him and countless other international students form lifelong friendships in Sydney.

Become a USU member and join clubs and societies at Welcome Fest on Monday 3 and Tuesday 4 August.

Whether you're going into your first or fifth semester, there's plenty of reasons to get involved in our Semester 2 Welcome Program. From joining clubs and societies and scoring freebies on the first two days of semester at USU's Welcome Fest (3–4 August) to attending faculty and school welcome events and campus tours, there's something for everyone at Welcome. Check out the Welcome Planner to browse and register for events.

If you're a new international student, don't miss International Student Welcome Day on 23 or 24 July, featuring a Welcome to Country, support and wellbeing information, social activities and the chance to meet other students before semester begins.

To welcome you to semester, we're offering current students 50 percent off selected University of Sydney hoodies, crew necks and tees – while stocks last!

Visit us on campus from today, 20 July, to buy your merch from any USYD store and rep the University with pride.

The University's Semester census date is still a little way off, but the Australian Census is just around the corner on Tuesday 11 August. If you're not sure what it means for you (or how it's different to the census date at uni!), you're not alone. We're putting together a simple guide to help answer your biggest questions.

Visit Student Services Hubs across our campuses for in-person support with everything from course planning and enrolment to technology, library services and student support. Student Services Hubs will be open from July 27 to August 31. Find out more about Hub locations, opening hours and the support available on the Student Services Hubs page.

If something is affecting your wellbeing or studies, our support teams are here for you. Learn more about support at the University, including support for making a complaint, with our step-by-step video guide to accessing support.

Louise Herron appointed Vice-Chancellor's Fellow

The University of Sydney has appointed Louise Herron AM as a Vice-Chancellor's Fellow, bringing one of Australia's most respected cultural leaders to the University to help advance its commitment to Leadership for Good.

University life has its ups and downs - we're here to support you every step of the way. TalkCampus is a free 24/7 peer support app where you can connect with students around the world – providing support whenever you need it.

If you're an international student, you can also access Sonder for 24/7 wellbeing, safety and emergency support.

Avoid getting lost on your first day and join a guided campus tour with the USU student team. You'll visit key buildings, learn where to find support, and discover some hidden spots around Camperdown and Darlington along the way. There's plenty of dates and times to choose from but spots are filling fast – register soon to avoid missing out!

If you think you know your way around campus, why not grab some friends and join the USU Campus Race? Taking place on Tuesday 28 July, it's a fun-filled afternoon of challenges, adventure and friendly competition.vYou'll explore campus, complete team challenges, meet new people and compete for prizes. Plus hang around for free snacks afterwards! 

Medical Science students Hyewon Chang, Olivia Jacobs, Hanxiang (Sylvia) Zhao, Misozi Olivie Lubusha, Kaitlin Spanoudakis and Isabella Carbone turned a group assignment into a real-world intervention tackling period poverty in Zambia. Photo credit: University of Sydney/Stefanie Zingsheim

Could a group assignment lead to life-changing outcomes for people halfway across the world? For a group of third-year medical science students, it did. Learn more about how a group assignment turned into a global humanitarian effort to tackle menstrual poverty in a remote Zambian community and the students that made it happen.

The University’s media team is always keen to hear about standout student stories – especially things like exciting or unusual research, impressive student achievements or unique student experiences.

If that’s you (or someone you know), let us know at media.office@sydney.edu.au.

For more information on important study dates, check out our key dates page.

Keep in touch

Copyright © 2026 The University of Sydney, NSW 2006 Australia
Phone +61 2 9351 222 ABN 15 211 513 464 CRICOS Number: 00026A

We recognise and pay respect to the Elders and communities – past, present, and emerging – of the lands that the University of Sydney’s campuses stand on. For thousands of years they have shared and exchanged knowledges across innumerable generations for the benefit of all.

Please add university.communications@sydney.edu.au to your address book or senders safe list to make sure you continue to see our emails in the future.

Have news? Share it with us