Check out key dates, enrolment tips and a preview of our Welcome Program
 

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21 January 2025

One month until Semester 1

 

This edition

Enrolment and study

Need to know

Our Welcome Program

Key dates

Events

Welcome to a new academic year, {{first_name}}! 

We hope you're having an enjoyable break and are excited for the new academic year ahead. Semester 1 begins on Monday 24 February, and now's the perfect time to get prepared. 

Read on to find out everything you need to know about enrolling for 2025, key dates, our Welcome Program, upcoming events, and tips to make the most of the upcoming semester.

This edition

Re-enrolment and study

Need to know

Welcome 2025

Key dates

Events

Welcome to a new academic year, {{first_name}}! 

We hope you're having an enjoyable break and are excited for the new academic year ahead. Semester 1 begins on Monday 24 February, and now's the perfect time to get prepared. 

Read on to find out everything you need to know about enrolling for 2025, key dates, our Welcome Program, upcoming events, and tips to make the most of the upcoming semester.


Enrolment and study in 2025

Students on the quad chatting

Semester 1 begins on Monday 24 February. Avoid delays in finalising your enrolment by logging in to Sydney Student and enrolling before the deadline, Friday 21 February. Check our enrolment webpage for up-to-date information about selecting units of study. You'll still be able to make changes to your units of study until Monday 31 March.

If you're an international student, please remember to check the requirements of your student visa and study load.

Don't forget that you can visit our current student website at any time for advice and support on course planning and making decisions about your degree while studying with us.

 

Need to know

Your Semester 1 timetable

If you've already enrolled in units of study, you can enter preferences until 11:59 pm on Wednesday 22 January.

Your timetable will be available on Sydney Timetable from Tuesday 28 January. You'll be able to review and adjust your Semester 1 timetable until Sunday 9 March.

 

Support for those affected by California wildfires

The destruction and loss of life caused by the wildfires in California has deeply saddened and concerned many members of our University community, which includes students who are US citizens, or have family and friends in the region.

Special consideration and arrangements are available to affected students, and students in Australia can talk with one of our University counsellors, including during evenings and weekends. Affected international students may be eligible for a general bursary of up to $3000, and all international students can access Sonder, a 24/7 safety and wellbeing app to support your mental health and wellbeing.

If you're in the USA, the Federal Government has shared information for Australians impacted by the California wildfires, including details on how to access shelters, food banks, clothing and supplies, and disaster assistance. 

 

Changes to Open Learning Environment (OLE) units

From Semester 1 2025, OLE units will be marked as satisfied requirements/failed requirements. Learn more about this change on the current student OLE page.

 

Stay dry and beat the heat this February

The Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) has predicted above average rainfall and heat across most of Australia this February, so it's important you're prepared in the event of flooding, a heatwave, poor air quality or bushfires. Keep up to date with advice and campus operations on our extreme weather page and read our guide to staying safe in the Aussie sun to ensure you can enjoy sunny days in Sydney while prioritising your health and wellbeing. 


Updated parking arrangements for 2025 

As you may have seen in the media, a commercial dispute has affected our proposed move to OPark for parking on campus. As part of ongoing legal proceedings, our parking provider has been required to cease use of the OPark app and is required to move all its Australian customers, including the University of Sydney, back to the CellOPark app for the foreseeable future. From today, the OPark app has been disabled and parking at the University will revert to the CellOPark pay-as-you-go parking app, which has been in use since January 2023.

If you have used the CellOPark app previously and still have it installed on your phone, you can continue to use it like normal.

If you deleted or have not used the app before, you can download the CellOPark Australia app from the App Store or Google Play and enter your details. Ensure you include your UniKey in the ID field so that you’re recognised as a University student and are eligible for the reduced parking rate capped at $5 per day. 

More information on how to park at the University is on the Getting to campus page. We understand and regret the inconvenience and confusion this has caused. 


Get ready for our 2025 Welcome Program

large letters on the quad spelling out ''WELCOME''

Our blockbuster Welcome Program kicks off in just three weeks on Monday 10 February. Whether you're looking to join a new club or society, catch up with uni friends or simply take advantage of all the freebies and giveaways, there's something for everyone at Welcome.

Join new and fellow returning students at the Welcome Ceremony on Wednesday 19 February, where you'll be formally welcomed to campus with a free breakfast, followed by a Welcome to Country and Smoking Ceremony, and presentations from the Vice Chancellor, student representatives, and this year's keynote speaker, Eddie Woo. 

Students walking down Eastern Avenue on Welcome Week browsing stalls

USU's Welcome Fest then kicks off from 12 pm and continues until Friday 21 February. Enjoy free food and merch, hundreds of club and society stalls, an open-air movie night, a silent disco, and more.

Keep an eye on your student email and our Instagram to stay up to date on all the festivities! 


Stay scam aware and tech-ready

phone with digital student ID

No wallet, no worries

Have you added your digital student ID to your Apple Wallet and or Google Wallet? With your digital student ID, you can tap your phone or smart watch on readers across campus to access buildings, borrow from the Library, use printers, and more. 

 
A graphic of hands on a laptop

Protect yourself and your data

Whether you’re in Sydney, elsewhere in Australia or overseas, it’s important to remain alert to scams and ensure your personal information is secure. Simple actions such as enabling multi-factor authentication (MFA) for your online accounts and being wary of people or organisations requesting your personal information and financial details, can keep you and your information safe. 

 
a student on phone in Abercrombie, aerial shot

Ensure you're set up with OKTA

Upgraded your device over the break? Ensure OKTA is activated on your new phone before getting rid of your old device. If you are trading in your old phone make sure to unenrol your mobile device from OKTA. You can also set up OKTA on a secondary device, such as an iPad or backup phone, so you don't lose access to your university systems.


Key dates

 

Tuesday 28 January: Semester 1 timetables are available in Sydney Timetable

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Monday 10 February: Our Welcome Program begins

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Wednesday 19 to Friday 21 February: USU's Welcome Fest

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Friday 21 February: Last day to enrol for Semester 1

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Monday 24 February: Semester 1 begins

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Friday 7 March: Last day to add or change a unit of study

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Sunday 9 March: Last day to adjust your Semester 1 timetable

➔

Monday 31 March: Semester 1 census date

 

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How did you spend your break?

Travelling
With family and friends
Working
Studying

Events

 
Artwork with the text YABUN FESTIVAL: Music to a beat

Yabun 2025: Music to a beat

Yabun Festival is Australia’s largest one-day celebration of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures and has been a yearly highlight for many since its inception in 2001. Join the community celebration on Saturday 26 January in Victoria Park, Broadway. Entry is free.

 
2025 spelled out with a snake

Lunar New Year Party @ Welcome Hub

Join Peer Support Advisors (PSAs) at the Welcome Hub (Level 3, Wentworth) on Thursday 30 January from 2:30 pm for a special Lunar New Year celebration! Enjoy free snacks, fun activities and make new friends while bringing in the year of the snake.

 
Dr Esmé Louise James

Kinky History @ Seymour Centre

Education with a side of frivolity, join award winning writer, creative, and sex historian Dr Esmé Louise James for Kinky History! With a globally best-selling book, chart-topping podcast series and a PhD in hand, Esmé’s live show experience is sure to be a night to remember. Use the code KHSTUDENT for your 20 percent student discount.

 

Stay connected

 

Keep up to date with important study information and what's happening on and around campus by following our social media channels.

We'd also love to hear about your experience at Sydney and what content you'd like to see more of in our weekly all-student newsletter, Student News. Share your news, stories and events with us and submit to Student News.

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Student resources

Student website | Canvas | Student Portal | Sydney Student | Key dates | Student life, wellbeing and support | Scams support

Student resources

Student website Canvas Student Portal Sydney Student Key dates Student life, wellbeing and support Scams support
 

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