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Professor Joanne Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)  

Dear students, 

I trust you’re enjoying the winter break and are feeling prepared and excited for the second half of the academic year.  

For those starting their studies with us this semester, welcome to the University. 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 a range of social events and activities.  

Our Program starts this week with cohort welcomes, followed by faculty and school orientation events, workshops, and activities next week. Welcome Fest, where you’ll have the opportunity to join clubs, societies and sports groups, will take place for the first two days of Week 1, Monday 4 and Tuesday 5 August.  

For those returning for another semester, welcome back. I encourage you, too, to get involved in our Welcome Program – to meet your new peers, re-connect with your friends and set yourself up for success through study skills workshops and academic and career planning sessions.  

As you prepare to start a new semester, I encourage you to stay connected with our community and make the most of the opportunities available to here – whether that be joining a student club or organisation, participating in one of our peer mentoring programs, or taking advantage of our worldclass careers support services. I also encourage you to prioritise your own wellbeing and support your peers. Our wellbeing services and resources are always available to you.  

Enjoy the rest of your break and see you on campus soon.  

Best,  

Joanne  

Professor Joanne Wright  
Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education)  

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 for another semester of study, 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. 

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 Sunday 17 August.

Get set up with our digital services 💻

Familiarise yourself with the ICT resources and University systems needed to support your studies, including your Unikey and University email, Canvas and other digital learning resources, Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) and password management, and Wi-Fi on campus.

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. 

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 (4–5 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.

We've ranked #1 in Australia in the U.S. News 2025–26 Best Global Universities. We’ve also moved up in the QS World University Rankings 2026, tying for #25 worldwide and coming in #3 in Australia. These rankings recognise our strengths across research and sustainability, employability and more. 

NAIDOC Week may be over, but there are many ways to deepen your understanding and connection – from exploring Cultural Walks in Sydney and learning about whose Country you’re on, to listening to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander-led podcasts. Check out the University’s guide to ways you can keep engaging beyond NAIDOC Week and keep the conversation going.

Temporary elevator closure in Brennan MacCallum Building from Wednesday 10 September 

The elevator in Brennan MacCallum Building (A18) will be undergoing upgrades and unavailable for use from Wednesday 10 September to early November. During this time, elevator access to Brennan MacCallum will be available via the Quadrangle Building (A14).

Students who are impacted can contact Inclusion & Disability Services for assistance.

Don't miss out on critical study-related information and opportunities to get involved in student life. It's your responsibility to check your student email regularly for official communication from the University, which includes your weekly edition of Student News.

Kick off your journey at Sydney with the International Student Welcome Day, the official welcome for undergraduate and postgraduate international students. From a Welcome to Country to a comprehensive info session on support services, health and wellbeing, and a fun SUSF BBQ lunch, this event helps you settle in, meet peers, and learn the ins and outs of uni life. Choose from two sessions on Thursday 24 July or Friday 25 July, make sure you register so you don't miss out!

Get active and make friends at the USU Campus Race!  Explore campus, meet fellow students, and enjoy a healthy dash before the semester gears up. Stay tuned to USU channels for event date, time, and route details. It’s the perfect way to kickstart your semester with sweat and a smile!

Spend part of your break overseas exploring how US science, space and technology policy shape the Indo-Pacific region. This two-week study tour includes visits to key institutions in Japan and South Korea, and is open to eligible undergrad and postgrad students from any discipline. You’ll earn credit towards your degree, gain real-world policy insights and connect with peers from across the region.

Professor Joanne Wright, Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Education) with Phan Vu, USU President.

The results are in and there's a new student executive team for the USU (University of Sydney Union). Say hello to your new President, Phan Vu, and Vice President, Georgia Zhang, along with Honorary Treasurer James Dwyer and Honorary Secretary Ethan Floyd. The Student Board is responsible for the operational and strategic business of the USU and from festivals to food deals, they’ll be helping shape the experiences that make your time at uni unforgettable.

Ready to start the semester with a bang? Join us at Manning Bar on Wednesday 30 July from 6 pm for an unforgettable Welcome to Sydney Party! Come make new friends, enjoy free food (first in, first served), take advantage of drink specials, and dance to live tunes in a vibrant, inclusive atmosphere. Event is free for USU members!

Calling all international students! Join us for the Library’s Welcome Tea, where you can meet fellow students, chat with friendly Library staff, and enjoy free tea, coffee and sweet treats, marking the start of your unforgettable time at Sydney. There's two sessions to choose from, but spots are limited so act fast!

Join us for The Ideas Roundtable: Is Australia alright? on Thursday 25 July from 6 to 7:30 pm at the Abercrombie Business School, where social researcher Rebecca Huntley will host a spirited open conversation on three urgent and complex issues shaping the present and future of our nation: climate change, gender equality and the rise of AI.

Keep in touch

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