If you’re weighing up your options when it comes to studying overseas, Australia’s best-known city, Sydney, is probably near the top of your list. Home to dozens of beaches, landmarks like the Sydney Opera House and the Harbour Bridge, and five world-renowned universities (including the University of Sydney and the University of New South Wales in the global top 50), it’s no wonder Sydney ranked ninth in the world in the QS Best Student Cities ranking in 2018. Here are the top reasons to study in the Harbour City.
Make connections in Australia’s most multicultural city
Home to around five million people and some of the biggest companies in the world, Sydney is as diverse as it gets in Australia. More than one-third of the city’s residents were born overseas and a language other than English is spoken in one in three Sydney households. This makes it a great destination for international students who are keen to network and enjoy new experiences.
Jump into Australia’s services boom
Sydney has benefited from the huge increase in demand for services worldwide over the past 20 years, as the finance, insurance, health, education, information media and telecommunications industries have created more jobs in the city. As an international city with close links to Asia, Sydney hosts the regional headquarters of over 600 international companies. In the future, Sydney’s ‘knowledge hubs’ will continue to expand, offering great employment opportunities.
Graduate with strong job prospects
According to the 2019 QS Graduate Employability Rankings, University of Sydney graduates are the most employable in Australia for the fourth year in a row and among the top-five most employable in the world. University of New South Wales (UNSW) students are in high demand too, with UNSW receiving the Most Popular Graduate Employer Award in 2018. Thanks to international reputations and cutting-edge coursework, Sydney’s educational institutions are fantastic places to start your career journey.
Join an innovative hub of health and technology
If health and technology are your passion, Sydney is the place to be. Macquarie University has Australia’s first and only private, not-for-profit hospital on a university campus, as well as the Australian Hearing Hub and the global headquarters of hearing aid manufacturer, Cochlear. At the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, an innovative space at the University of Sydney, students can attend events, workshops and meetups focussed on engineering and technology.
Gain invaluable experience in your field
The University of Technology, Sydney (UTS) is the highest-performing university in Australia under 50 years old and offers valuable industry connections and a practical approach to learning. In the QS World University Subject Rankings 2019, UTS ranked in the top 50 for hands-on subjects like nursing, art and design, and sports-related courses. According to the Center for World University Rankings, the University of Western Sydney (UWS) ranked highly for nursing, too. UWS is also said to be a great university for student wellbeing.
Take advantage of high wages
Sydney’s residents earn the fourth-highest salaries in the world, which may have something to do with the fact that it has experienced 22 years of economic growth. Plus, the rising share of knowledge jobs in the city is forecasted to increase wages even further. When studying in Sydney, you’ll gain experience in a competitive and dynamic labour market that will help prepare you for the jump to full-time employment.
Enjoy the work-life balance
Despite its global credentials, Sydney is known for its relaxed work culture in comparison to large cities in Europe, Asia and the US. Studies in Australia and overseas have shown that employees and businesses both benefit when flexible working arrangements are available, and according to it appears the city is welcoming the change. Sydney’s mild climate and proximity to beaches and parks mean that many locals prefer to spend time outdoors or socialising rather than working overtime.
