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

Dear students,  

As we near the end of exams, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank you for your hard work and commitment to your studies this semester. Whether you’re on track to completing your first year, getting ready to transition from undergraduate to postgraduate study, or preparing to graduate, I hope you’ve found Semester 2 and–for many of you–the 2025 academic year a rewarding and enjoyable one. 

For those completing their studies this semester, congratulations. I wish you all the best in your next endeavours, be it pursuing further education, working here or abroad, or taking some much-deserved time off. Wherever life after graduation takes you, I hope you stay connected with us and take advantage of the many benefits of being a University of Sydney alum.  

For those returning for in 2026, I hope you're able to take some time to unwind and reset – whether that’s in Sydney or back home. Have a safe and enjoyable break, and I look forward to seeing you on campus ahead of our Semester 1 Welcome Program, open to all students, from 9 February. 

Best, 

Joanne

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

We're here to support members of our Indian community

We're shocked and appalled to see a rise in racially motivated incidents affecting members of the Indian community in Australia. We strongly condemn all forms of racism.

Racism has no place on our campuses, in our city, or in our society, and we have zero tolerance for any form of racism, threats to safety, hate speech, intimidation, threatening speech, bullying or unlawful harassment, including anti-Asian language or behaviour.

We'd like to remind you that free and confidential counselling and wellbeing support is available to you, as well as Protective Services to assist in an emergency or if you feel unsafe on campus. You can also download SafeZone – a free safety app that connects you quickly with Protective Services and emergency teams. These services are available 24/7 and over the summer break. 

An update on the University's response to the Report of the Investment Policies Review Working Group

In July this year, the University received the report and recommendations of the Investment Policies Review Working Group (IPRWG), which was established in September 2024 to conduct an independent review of the position of defence- and security-related industries in the University’s Investment Policy and the University’s Integrated ESG Framework to ensure they reflect the University’s commitment to human rights. This week, the Chancellor provided an update on the University's response to the Report of the Investment Policies Review Working Group. 

Plan ahead with our 2026 wall calendar 🗓️

Returning to study next year? Download our 2026 student wall calendar (PDF, 630KB)

Know where to find support over the break 📞

While some health and wellbeing services will be unavailable between 5 pm Friday 19 December and 9 am Tuesday 6 January 2026, primary support over the break will still be available 24/7. 

Make sure you can access your results – complete the Respect@Sydney module 💻

If you started your studies this year, you’re required to complete the Respect@Sydney module by Friday 12 December, 2025. If you don't complete the module by this deadline, you won't be able to view your results or receive your academic transcript at the end of semester.   

Finished your studies? We’re still here to help you reach your career aspirations 📈

Access careers support for up to two years after you complete your studies, just one of the many benefits of being a University of Sydney alum.

Remember to check your exam dates next year ✅

If you're enrolling in an intensive or other session next year, make sure you check your exam dates. Each session will have its own exam period, outlined on the key dates page. 

From Monday 24 November, you'll be able to log in to Sydney Student and select your units early. After results are released, you'll still need to confirm your units and complete enrolment. Find out more on our re-enrolment page.

Semester 2 results are released from Wednesday 17 December. Read our guide to grades to understand the different types of average marks, what your results mean and what to do if your results are 'pending' or missing. 

If you're a student visa holder, you need to enrol in a full-time study load (24 credit points). If you believe you’re eligible for a reduced study load, check the student website for the latest guidance, as the process to apply has changed for 2026.

As we hit play on the final edition of Student News for 2025, we're taking a moment to rewind and celebrate the stories and events that caught your attention this year

Most opened edition:

“What you need to know for Semester 1” – you were keen to kick off the year right, with over 60,000 of you tuning in!

Most clicked story:

“Learn how to calculate your WAM” – over 3,000 of you wanted to know your numbers (and maybe brag to your mates).

Other chart-toppers:

“Democracy sausage” and “platypus mystery” links proved you love a bit of campus quirk.

While "$5 Meals at Laneway" showed what you care about, stay tuned for more cheap eats in 2026!

From Welcome Fest to exam season, you’ve opened and engaged with Student News all year long. Thank you for reading, commenting (we read all of them!), and being such an active part of our campus community. Your poll responses have impressed, amused, and helped shape the stories we share.

If this is your last Student News, we wish you all the best on your next adventure. And for those returning in 2026, we can’t wait to welcome you back!

Our Welcome Program isn't just for new students – there’s something for everyone! Starting Monday 9 February 2026, you’ll find workshops, free events and activities (plus plenty of merch), along with opportunities to reconnect with friends and join USU clubs and societies.

If you're working over the break, it's important you know your protections at work and the minimum wage you're entitled to. All people working in Australia are protected under the Fair Work Act, including international students and casual employees.

If something doesn't feel right in your workplace, support is available through our Safer Communities Office and Student Wellbeing team. You can also send an anonymous tip-off to the Fair Work Ombudsman. 

We've ranked 15th worldwide and second nationally in the QS World University Rankings: Sustainability 2026, with a perfect score for the impact of education indicator for the third consecutive year! This achievement reflects our efforts for major initiatives like the Net Zero Institute, climate-related financial disclosures, and groundbreaking research on biodiversity, cooling technologies, and climate health.

Rethink the obsession with self-improvement at Sydney Ideas: An Optimised Life on Wednesday 10 December at the Footbridge Theatre. Be part of a lively discussion featuring comedian Alex Lee, philosopher Emily Hulme, creative technologist Thea-Mai Baumann and computer scientist Elliot Varoy. Expect hot takes, laughs, and big ideas on whether optimising everything is making life better. Free with light refreshments provided.

Celebrate the University’s 175th anniversary with Around The World in Rare Books on Tuesday 2 December from 4–6 pm at Fisher Library. Drop in and explore treasures from one of Australia’s largest rare book collections. Enjoy highlights featuring women authors and creators, tall tales of travel, East Asian folklore, First Nations voices, and more. Light refreshments provided.

Planning a shopping spree this Friday 28 November? Protect yourself by shopping only with trusted sellers, avoiding suspicious links, and using secure payment methods like credit cards. Never share personal or financial details with unverified sources, and take time to research any deal before you click. Learn more about safe online shopping via the NSW Government's online shopping page. Stay safe and enjoy the savings without the scams!

From medical researchers and neuroscientists to entrepreneurs, artists and community changemakers, this year’s Alumni Award winners and Graduate Medallists show what's possible after graduation. Meet the 12 alumni and graduating students who’ve pushed boundaries, backed themselves and proved that there’s no one ‘right’ way to build a career after uni.

Big congratulations to all the student finalists and winners recognised at the FutureReady showcase. From sustainable design to AI-powered solutions, this year’s awards showcased the creativity and impact of student-led projects that address pressing global and community issues. Head to the FutureReady homepage to check out the full list of winners.

Keep in touch

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