Having trouble viewing this email? View the online version

Enrol in 2025 – Life@Sydney on Canvas 

If you're new to the University sign up for Enrol in 2025 – Life@Sydney in Canvas. Life@Sydney is a series of modules that takes you through everything you need to know as a new student, from enrolment to accessing support.  

Check your financial statement in Sydney Student

Find out how to pay your fees in Sydney Student. Your financial statement lists each unit of study you're enrolled in for that payment period. 

Ensure your personal details are up to date

It's important we have the correct contact information for you in case of an emergency. You can update your personal and contact information, including your mobile number, residential address, personal email address, and emergency contact details, in Sydney Student.

Find out about using generative artificial intelligence (AI)

The University provides free access to Microsoft Copilot, a GPT-4 powered tool that keeps your data secure and protects your privacy. You can use AI tools like Microsoft Copilot for learning and assignments, unless your unit coordinator has prohibited the class from using it. Learn more about using generative AI for learning and assessments, and be aware of the risks with free and emerging technologies like ChatGPT and DeepSeek.

Browse our Welcome Planner and register for events

Our Welcome Program has now begun, so there's no better time to check out the Welcome Planner and register for events. From fun social events to information sessions and workshops to help you prepare for semester, there's something for all students during Welcome. 

Our Welcome Program is packed with essential orientation sessions for new students, workshops and information sessions for returning students to get back into the swing of university life, and social events for all students. By attending, you’ll be set to get the most out of your time at university.

Image credit: Nicola Bailey

Your Faculty/School Welcome events are a great way to set yourself up for success for the semester ahead. Not only will you get to meet classmates and teachers, but you'll also learn vital information about your course and studies. We've prepared a list of the top reasons why your Faculty/School welcome event is worth attending.

Visit the Anti-Slavery at Sydney stall during Welcome Fest and learn how to spot the signs of unsafe work by taking part in an interactive game. There will be freebies on offer, so don't miss out! 

Check out our modern slavery page for more information or sign up to the Student Human Rights Network to receive updates. 

We're here to support you

We recognise that global events, including conflict or natural disasters, may be distressing for many in our community. We encourage you to make use of the University's range of services, available on our Student Life, wellbeing and support webpage, to ensure you're supported physically, mentally and academically.

Special consideration and arrangements are also available in a range of exceptional circumstances.

We've received our largest ever donation to fund STEM opportunities for Western Sydney girls

A donation of $100 million from the Khuda Family Foundation will fund an ambitious 20-year program, creating a pathway for girls from Western Sydney into STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) education and careers. 

Submit your feedback on five key policies by this Thursday 13 February

We're inviting feedback on revisions to five key policies: 

You have until this Thursday 13 February 2025 to submit your feedback through the relevant forms on the University Policies page. All submissions will be carefully considered as part of the consultation process, and you have the option to submit your feedback anonymously.

New Reading List interface is now live

Your new and improved Reading List is here! The refreshed design is cleaner and simpler, with better laptop usability, easier access to resources, and smoother Canvas integration.

Ensure you're prepared for the semester ahead

It's important to stay on track with your study and assessment tasks before the census date, Monday 31 March 2025. Census date is the last date you will be able to finalise or withdraw from any units of study without it affecting your grades or being financially liable for units of study.

You should also regularly check your student email for important updates from your unit of study coordinators. If you need any personal, academic or learning support, connect with us via the Student Portal. 

Tackle real-world challenges, boost your employability, and make a meaningful impact within industry and community by taking an Industry and Community Project Unit (ICPU). From global opportunities to 4000-level projects designed to expand your career prospects, there's so much you can do with an ICPU. 

Nominations for the 2025 Alumni Awards are now open until 19 March 2025! This is your chance to nominate a recent graduate for excellence in leadership, sporting achievement, innovation and more. They could be a friend, your mentor, a tutor, or someone you did a group assignment with. If you know a grad who deserves recognition, nominate them for a Graduate Medal now.

Whether you need help navigating our campuses, systems, and sites, or just want to chat with a fellow student about how to make the most of student life in Sydney, our friendly, multilingual, and experienced Peer Support Advisor (PSA) team are here to help. Connect with a PSA online or visit the team at the Welcome Hub on Level 3 Wentworth Building and Fisher Helpdesk on Level 3 Fisher Library.

Billy Bain, Stolen Land (detail), 2024. Ceramic sculpture with underglaze, glaze and metallic lustres, fabric and wood.   

The You're Welcome? exhibition at the Verge Gallery is curated by contemporary Indigenous Australian artist Billy Bain and explores how a group of young Sydney-based artists form, express, and interrogate ideas of what it means to be welcome in Australia. 

Visit our Mardi Gras Fair Day stall this Sunday 16 February and celebrate how much the LGTBQIA+ community at Sydney has achieved in creating a more inclusive place to learn, work and grow. Learn more about how we're creating a welcoming, safe and inclusive environment for our LGBTQIA+ student community. 

USU is holding a massive Welcome to Sydney Party for international and domestic USYD students this Wednesday 12 Feb to kick off the semester! Come along to Manning Bar to meet new friends from across the globe, score free food (first come, first serve), awesome drink specials, lively music and so much more!

Last week, you might've noticed your name missing in Student News. We're working on resolving the issue, though we suspect computer gremlins might be to blame. We asked Microsoft Copilot to generate an image of what these gremlins might look like! 

Keep in touch

Copyright © 2025 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. Learn more.

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