Have questions?
We’re here to help. Get personalised advice from our friendly Future Student Advisors. Connect with us by phone, chat with us online or send us an enquiry.
Where will your study in 2021 take you? With every new student comes new passions, new perspectives and new ideas that adds to our collective difference and makes us who we are. What will you bring?
From O-Week onwards we’ll be showing you the astounding number of experiences and opportunities you can seize as you unearth your passions and discover yourself at a top-ranking Australian uni.
To prepare you to get the most out of life at UNSW, we asked our current students to share their experiences and tips for study and life at uni.
Get Social
“Put yourself out there and engage with university life. Really try and get to know your fellow classmates or step outside of your comfort zone because that’s what maximises your university life,” recommends Danny, a current UNSW Law student.
Don’t think of starting uni as something that you’ll navigate alone. UNSW is known for being open and inviting. We set the scene for you to make lifelong friendships with plenty of opportunities to meet and socialise with people from all over the world through our student life organisation, ARC.
Your calendar will be filled with fun student events from Night Food Markets, Social Hangouts, Diversity Fest and movie screenings to live performances at the Roundhouse.
UNSW Student Tom has a great tip. “In your first classes, sit next to someone you don’t know and introduce yourself. The first time you might need to rehearse it, but UNSW is super friendly and it’s a great way to make new friends.”
Visit ARC now to get a head start on all things social at UNSW.
Dive Into Real-Life Projects
Seize opportunities to explore your degree beyond the classroom. Research the opportunities available to you. Are there exchange programs? How can you get involved in Work Integrated Learning (WIL)? Can you take part in hands-on projects?
Business School students can take part in the Career Accelerator program, a suite of experiences to help build your professional skills. As an Engineering student at UNSW, you have access to the ChallENG program which allows you to work with academics and industry on real-world projects. You may even find yourself in Uganda repairing life-saving medical equipment in disadvantaged communities.
“One of the things that has driven me to achieve more at university is the real-life projects that I have been able to work on,” says Adam, a current UNSW Science & Engineering student. “You get to apply in-class learnings to a project which could have a real impact on people and the environment.”
Immerse Yourself in an Internship
There’s a reason UNSW is ranked so highly for employability. We have the highest number of students in Australia’s top 100 Most Employable list according to the AFR Top100 Future Leaders Awards, 2020. That’s because we connect you with industry and real-world experience from day one through networking events, industry partnerships and student-led projects.
Almost all degrees have the option to complete an internship, field placement or practical experience component. You’ll be able to roll up your sleeves for hands-on experience that employers really take notice of.
“The one thing that has led to me being most career-ready are the two internships I’ve been able to do. With UNSW 3+ terms, I found I had more free time for an internship. Seek out as many internships as possible not only to gain employable skills but also try out possible career pathways," says Adam.
Join a Society (or Ten!)
“Research all the societies that are available and get involved with a few. Societies are a wonderful way to meet people from all around campus and learn skills across a range of fields,” says Sophia, a current UNSW Medicine student.
The number one piece of advice from students we spoke to was simple – join a society. We have over 300 clubs and societies to choose from so there’s bound to be something that appeals to you and sparks your interest. Here you’ll find peers with similar interests where you can network and open many doors both academically and personally during your time at uni.
Turn your passion into action by joining a club that advocates for climate change, diversity in STEM, LGBTIQ+ equality or a student run charity such as Project Hope. You can take part in mentoring programs where you're paired with an industry mentor or a more senior student in your area of interest. ARC also offers a buddy program for new students called Great Mates.
Get Involved Beyond the Classroom
There are hundreds of ways to explore your passions, develop new skills and get involved in causes you care about. By being open to unexpected experiences you can bolster your resume, enhance your learning and enact real change before you even enter the workforce. Many volunteering opportunities are also recognized on your Australian Higher Education Graduation Statements (AHEGS).
Anna, a current UNSW Science student, was the 2019 Event Horizon Coordinator at Arc, the student life organisation at UNSW. “I ran my own volunteer program and organised a group of 40 volunteers. My role was to put student life events on campus. I worked on everything from the Arc Markets and Welcome Week, to putting on three Stress Less Weeks! Putting on the Stress Less Week events was by far the most interesting project that I have undertaken while at UNSW.”
At UNSW there's endless ways to get involved. We're about helping you to delve into your interests, discover your passions and find what makes you tick. Join us at UNSW to begin carving your own path in the world.
Confirm your UAC preferences and begin preparing for the wide range of opportunities available at UNSW.