Why study science at UNSW?

All about UNSW

After nearly 60 years of dynamic growth, UNSW student numbers have grown from 46 to over 39,000 with over 5000 staff. The two Sydney campuses (Kensington and Paddington, College of Fine Arts) together with the University College at Canberra's Australian Defence Force Academy perpetuate an informal and lively tone with engaged students and offer a large range of facilities. 

Why choose Science at UNSW

Our vision is to be Australia's leading international research university with a reputation for excellence in scholarship, learning and the student experience. In 2008 we have almost 8000 overseas students, over 250 sister university partnerships and a growing number of close liaisons with industry, commerce and professions (nationally and internationally). Our programs are relevant to today's ever-changing world and our students are in touch with the demands of their chosen professions.

Reputation

In The 2008 Good Universities Guide, UNSW scored the maximum 5-star rating for 9 key performance indicators. This is well above any other Group of Eight university and positions UNSW as one of the strongest performers of all Australian universities.

The top score was based on research grants, research intensity, student-staff ratio, staff qualifications, graduate starting salary and proportion of entrants who are school leavers. UNSW is described by the The Good Universities Guide as "one of the heavyweights of Australian higher education, offering an intense, rich tertiary experience". For more information visit http://www.thegoodguides.com.au/ UNSW is a leader in research, and its scientists are among the best in the world in DNA technology, quantum computing, bioengineering, weather prediction, wildlife  management, drug development, cosmology, psychology and mathematics. We are developing new medicines and materials, repairing the environment, turning plastic bags into steel...the list is endless.

International relationships

Since 1949, we have developed a comprehensive international involvement in teaching, research and industry linkages. We are consistently ranked as one of the top universities in the Asian region and a major recipient of competitive research grants from Australian industry and government bodies. UNSW is a member of the Group of Eight (a coalition of Australia's leading research universities) and Universias 21 (an active network of internationally competitive, research-intensive universities). The primary

objective has been to achieve outcomes that exceed the scope of capability of the  individual members. Science offers and promotes international experience. Our students are encouraged to spend a session or two studying overseas.

Scholarships

UNSW offers a range of scholarships to science students, including the prestigious Malcolm Chaikin Scholarship valued at $15,000. Our links with business and industry also attract many other scholarships.

Science Industry Scholarships: The Faculty of Science provides numerous scholarships in partnership with reputed industries and organisations in Australia for undergraduate students taking degrees with specific Faculty Schools. This industry partnership program aims to provide an incentive for attracting the best and brightest students to undertake Science programs. In turn these scholarships provide opportunities for our high quality graduates to work in these industries. The current list of our industry partners includes: OneSteel, Rio Tinto, AngloCoal, CSIRO, ANSTO, Weir Minerals, Xstrata Coal, Cochlear, Hanson Construction Materials Ltd, CCI Pope, BHP Billiton NTC, CSR Pilkington, Sandvik Steel, TEMCO, Bridges Institutional Broking. These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and performance in interviews. For further information regarding the Science Industry Scholarships, please contact Professor Veena Sahajwalla, Associate Dean Strategic Industry Liaisons, veena@unsw.edu.au,Tel: +61 2 9385 4426 Fax: +61 2 9385 5956.

Campus life

The main campus occupies 38 hectares in Sydney's inner, south-eastern suburb of Kensington with modern, award-winning buildings that fit naturally within the peaceful outdoor surrounds. On-campus facilities include a 50m heated indoor pool of Olympic standard; squash and tennis courts; sports ovals; shops; medical and optometry clinics and a variety of excellent bars, concerts, films, recitals and other cultural gatherings.

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