Our Students

Our students form part of the broader community of over 46,000 students at The University of Sydney. As with all the university’s students they benefit from the renowned resources, challenging and rigorous academic programs, unique social lifestyle and collegiate atmosphere that ensures the university is the most popular first choice for high achieving students in NSW.

Enrolments (by level and source)

The Faculty has 1,250 enrolled students with around 60% being postgraduate coursework and research students.

 Local
InternationalTotal
Undergraduate*419
95
514
Postgraduate coursework
510
153 663
Research
57
16
73

* This figure includes students of the single-degree BDesArch and BDesComp only and excludes teaching load from other faculties and students enrolled in the combined Engineering/Architecture program.

The postgraduate coursework enrolments include 172 in the MArch.

Load (by fee type)

The Faculty’s student load (EFTSL) is roughly 60% government supported (CSP and RTS) and 40% local and international fee-paying.

CSP
RTS
Local fee International fee
 Other Total
562.643.2
153.4
249.5
10.9
1019.6

A snapshot of our students

Our students come from all over the world, with local and international students being born in 75 different countries. 21% are international. Our top overseas sources for local and international students are China, Korea, India, Malaysia, Great Britain, US, Indonesia and New Zealand.

Country of Birth
International Students
Local Students
All Students
Australia 650
650
China (Excludes SARs and Taiwan Province) 75
66 141
Hong Kong (SAR of China) 12
35
47
Korea, Republic of (South)
18
19
37
 India28
6
34
 Malaysia 166
22
England
 3 17 20
 United States of America
 126
18
 Indonesia 98
17
New Zealand
  1616
 Iran 96 15
 South Arica
 3 10 13
Taiwan 4 8 12
 Bangladesh 75
12
 Vietnam 7 4 11
 Other 61 124 185
 Total264
986
1250

Our undergraduate programs attract some of the brightest students from NSW. The minimum Universities Admissions Index (UAI) score required for direct entry into the BDesArch program for high school students in 2009 was 94.00. The UAI is a ranking system of all high school candidates; a student receiving a UAI of 94 being in the top 6% of all NSW students.

Although this is an incomplete measure of student intake quality it is worth noting the UAI score cut-off has risen steadily over the past five years, indicating a growing demand for entry amongst NSW's brightest students. The minimum UAI required for direct entry into the BDesComp has risen to 87.75 in 2009.

The faculty also offers flexible entry and mature-age entry options for students whose UAI is within 5 points of the cut-off. This requires a portfolio of their work, ensuring we obtain students gifted academically as well as creatively.

The average age of our students is 26.5, with predictable variances by student type. The average age of undergraduate students (at the beginning of this semester) was 21.3, postgraduate coursework students 29.1 and research students 39.5.

Student life and achievements

The student body within the faculty is represented by SUDA - Sydney University Design Association. Through SUDA, students participate in a range of social, professional and educational activities including exhibitions of graduate student work, workshops, attendance at conferences and design competitions.

The Architecture Revue has a long tradition of annual theatrical productions. A number of students have used this to springboard into comedy, acting and scriptwriting careers.

The faculty is proud of the success of its students in design competitions. Recent achievements include the Australian Institute of Architects Design Medal, as well student installations being selected to participate in the inaugural Vivid Sydney Smart Lighting Festival and the prestigious Sculpture by the Sea.