University of Sydney
University of Sydney
4.5
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4.5
159 reviews
Excellent
88
Very good
57
Average
13
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0
Terrible
1
Dimitris L
Sydney, Australia50,924 contributions
Sept 2020
The University of Sydney is Australia's oldest university, having been established in 1850. At that time Australia was not even a united country but a collection of colonies ruled by Britain. The university today is much bigger that it was then and it has many other more modern ( and perhaps "ugly") buildings, but the original buildings are absolutely beautiful. It also holds a special place for me as it is one of the universities where I studied for three years. It is quite an interesting place to visit.
Written 7 November 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
KodoDrummer
Buenos Aires, Argentina70,616 contributions
Jul 2019 • Business
Centuries old, beautiful architecture. At 169 years since its founding, it is Australia's oldest university and one of the best academic halls in the southern hemisphere. I know many of my well-educated friends from China, have graduated from this stately university. It is one of the world's most prestigious institutions of higher learning. , known as "Oxford of the Southern Hemisphere." It currently ranks as the World’s 59th best university.
Written 4 July 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Sidneiensis
Oxford, UK58 contributions
Mar 2013 • Solo
As a student studying medicine here, you can imagine I spend a great deal of my time here. I love every second of it. As Australia's first university, it has long developed a history of prestige, traditions and culture and it has been consistently ranked in over the top 0.3% of universities in the world. It is the oldest and one of the most prestigious universities in Australia. With the motto, "Sidere mens eadem mutato" literally translated as, "Though the stars change, the mind is eternal", or perhaps more liberally, "Sydney University is really Oxford or Cambridge displaced laterally approximately 12,000 miles". Even its Coat of Arms, granted by Queen Victoria, is a hybrid of those of Oxford and Cambridge, very concretely and ever visibly representing her hopes for what would become Australia's, and indeed, among the worlds most prestigious educational institutions . While it still has much of the traditions inherited from the great British universities, the enduring desire of its founders, the university has also gained its own identity, a uniquely Antipodean character, and together it has grown along with the young country of Australia.
The campus is absolutely beautiful, reminiscent and modelled after Oxford and Cambridge and has been ranked in the top 10 of the "Most Beautiful Universities in the World" by the British Telegraph, Huffington Post and even Disney Pixar! The campus is so big, that it even has its own postcode, sprawling across two Sydney suburbs. Explore the largest and most prestigious collection of antiquities in Australia at the Nicholson Museum, or examine the many Art Galleries, collections of natural history or Anatomical museums (some of which may only be open to medical students), all with free admission. Have a picnic in Victoria Park, within the grounds, maybe even take a swim in the Olympic-sized pool, or play a game of tennis, basketball, etc. at the many sports centres, gyms and stadiums on campus.
As a student, my experience here is amazing, there is always something going on, be it free barbecues everyday, almost fortnightly festivals and fairs, the markets on Wednesday, and with hundreds of university union endorsed clubs and societies to join, including the standard, generic clubs such as sporting, faculty specific societies and many musical ensembles, to some of the more quirky, creative and fun ones such as the Disney Society, Chocolate Society (Free chocolate events every week!), and even the "Beer Brewing & Music Appreciation Society". With so much to get up to, it's a wonder how I'm still learning here!
The University of Sydney is definitely worth a visit, to stroll around, soak up the atmosphere, and admire the beautiful historic and Gothic buildings, and experience the hopes and grandeur, the dreams of its founders, and certainly, its uniquely Australian character, in its operation today.
The campus is absolutely beautiful, reminiscent and modelled after Oxford and Cambridge and has been ranked in the top 10 of the "Most Beautiful Universities in the World" by the British Telegraph, Huffington Post and even Disney Pixar! The campus is so big, that it even has its own postcode, sprawling across two Sydney suburbs. Explore the largest and most prestigious collection of antiquities in Australia at the Nicholson Museum, or examine the many Art Galleries, collections of natural history or Anatomical museums (some of which may only be open to medical students), all with free admission. Have a picnic in Victoria Park, within the grounds, maybe even take a swim in the Olympic-sized pool, or play a game of tennis, basketball, etc. at the many sports centres, gyms and stadiums on campus.
As a student, my experience here is amazing, there is always something going on, be it free barbecues everyday, almost fortnightly festivals and fairs, the markets on Wednesday, and with hundreds of university union endorsed clubs and societies to join, including the standard, generic clubs such as sporting, faculty specific societies and many musical ensembles, to some of the more quirky, creative and fun ones such as the Disney Society, Chocolate Society (Free chocolate events every week!), and even the "Beer Brewing & Music Appreciation Society". With so much to get up to, it's a wonder how I'm still learning here!
The University of Sydney is definitely worth a visit, to stroll around, soak up the atmosphere, and admire the beautiful historic and Gothic buildings, and experience the hopes and grandeur, the dreams of its founders, and certainly, its uniquely Australian character, in its operation today.
Written 28 August 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
tachctim
Sydney, Australia16 contributions
Sept 2019 • Couples
We loved Sydney Uni so much that we decided to have our wedding ceremony and reception in Sydney Uni.
The caterer was great, however, I would never recommend having your wedding here unless you’re fine with about 13 other weddings being booked at the same time on the same day. The event managers at Sydney Uni were absolutely hopeless from start to finish not to mention that they charge you an absolute fortune just for using the grounds when others didn’t seem to pay anything at all.
My first contact with one of the event officers - Nina was horrible. We booked in an appointment time for her to show us the Great Hall and she was 45 minutes late even after countless calls to her mobile. She then rushed through our tour and claimed that she needed to show other couples through the venue. That should have been our first sign.
Regardless, we loved the venue, Sydney Uni is beautiful but just needs to be managed better by the staff.
We were charged over $11,000 AUD to book a ceremony for the day and the great hall, this was completely exclusive of anything else. So add on the chairs, the tables, the caterer and everything else you need for a wedding and you can expect it to be upwards of $50K.
Communication after we paid our $11K and signed the contract was virtually non existent, which might have been expected, but what we didn’t expect was on the day to be met by (no exaggeration) 13 other couples in and around the building taking photos and interrupting our ceremony. We were specifically told that because we booked all 4 quads of the lawn that we would have exclusive access from other couples. We understood that sometimes tourists would come by etc, but not other bridal parties. Well imagine the stress I found myself in when I got to the venue in my wedding car and couldn’t even reach the front to walk down the aisle because there was another huge wedding party taking photos right in front of the access.
You might say that it’s not Sydney Uni’s fault if other wedding parties decide to show up on the day unannounced, fair enough, but we paid $11K for exclusive access, and no campus security was to be found whatsoever. No staff of Sydney Uni there to help or manage the situation, absolutely nothing. We had the catering manager trying her best to move people on but one person can only do so much.
It was so disappointing and what was worse was when I contacted Sydney Uni after the wedding about this issue asking for a response and have heard crickets.
If you’re considering Sydney Uni as a wedding venue, I would strongly, strongly advise that you reconsider. The stress of the day and dealing with other bridal couples is just not worth it. The Uni give you absolutely no help and you pay a fortune when others are able to seemingly go there on their own accord and have their ceremony and take photos for free!
The caterer was great, however, I would never recommend having your wedding here unless you’re fine with about 13 other weddings being booked at the same time on the same day. The event managers at Sydney Uni were absolutely hopeless from start to finish not to mention that they charge you an absolute fortune just for using the grounds when others didn’t seem to pay anything at all.
My first contact with one of the event officers - Nina was horrible. We booked in an appointment time for her to show us the Great Hall and she was 45 minutes late even after countless calls to her mobile. She then rushed through our tour and claimed that she needed to show other couples through the venue. That should have been our first sign.
Regardless, we loved the venue, Sydney Uni is beautiful but just needs to be managed better by the staff.
We were charged over $11,000 AUD to book a ceremony for the day and the great hall, this was completely exclusive of anything else. So add on the chairs, the tables, the caterer and everything else you need for a wedding and you can expect it to be upwards of $50K.
Communication after we paid our $11K and signed the contract was virtually non existent, which might have been expected, but what we didn’t expect was on the day to be met by (no exaggeration) 13 other couples in and around the building taking photos and interrupting our ceremony. We were specifically told that because we booked all 4 quads of the lawn that we would have exclusive access from other couples. We understood that sometimes tourists would come by etc, but not other bridal parties. Well imagine the stress I found myself in when I got to the venue in my wedding car and couldn’t even reach the front to walk down the aisle because there was another huge wedding party taking photos right in front of the access.
You might say that it’s not Sydney Uni’s fault if other wedding parties decide to show up on the day unannounced, fair enough, but we paid $11K for exclusive access, and no campus security was to be found whatsoever. No staff of Sydney Uni there to help or manage the situation, absolutely nothing. We had the catering manager trying her best to move people on but one person can only do so much.
It was so disappointing and what was worse was when I contacted Sydney Uni after the wedding about this issue asking for a response and have heard crickets.
If you’re considering Sydney Uni as a wedding venue, I would strongly, strongly advise that you reconsider. The stress of the day and dealing with other bridal couples is just not worth it. The Uni give you absolutely no help and you pay a fortune when others are able to seemingly go there on their own accord and have their ceremony and take photos for free!
Written 27 December 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bartyjy
Sydney, Australia321 contributions
Mar 2014
This place is heavenly, pretty, quiet, vibrant, old and new all at the same time. Don't miss the free tour of the carillon tower. My kids got to try out playing one. There was also a beautiful free organ concert in the main hall. My children (4 and 8) thought they were in Hogwarts.
Written 11 May 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jinxthanya
Chiang Mai, Thailand73 contributions
Jul 2013 • Solo
i walked pass this university everyday during my short stay in Sydney.
Really love the buildings ! especially when jacaranda was in full bloom, the scenery was splendid.
I would love to study in a university as beautiful as this.
Really love the buildings ! especially when jacaranda was in full bloom, the scenery was splendid.
I would love to study in a university as beautiful as this.
Written 5 June 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Grant M
Sydney, Australia246 contributions
Apr 2021
This is a biased review as I am an academic, for a while at The University of Sydney itself in its Department of Anthropology.
The architectural model for USYD is Oxbridge, 19th century neo-gothic.
It is well to remember that the first places that resembled universities were in Asia with some of those institutions having been founded over a thousand years ago. Civilization slowly made it way to Europe coming through Islamic scholarship in the Middle East and North Africa, with great centres of university learning in Cordoba and Savile. The thirst for learning spread north from Italy (Bologna) and Spain to Paris with the founding of the University of Paris, chartered in 1200, led those on the offshore islands of Britain to consider such an institution, permission for which came from the Parisians.
The prison colony of New South Wales gradually filled with free settlers to overwhelm the indigenous population; as gentrification proceeded apace people thought that an institution of higher education would be a good idea. So, a group of worthy citizens proposed The University of Sydney that by 1850 achieved permission to proceed, although arguments from Britain thought that such a place as Sydney would be good enough only for an examination centre.
The USYD architecture is based on Oxford and Cambridge (or "Oxbridge"), although few in the colony would have known those places personally. So, the quadrangle and tower was an Oxford college (Magdalen?) and the Great Hall based on a scaled down version of the same at Kings College, Cambridge.
Neo-gothic style was popular in the 19th century for government buildings, to lend these nascent organisations the gravitas the founders believed they deserved.
The beauty of USYD is that the buildings were constructed of golden sandstone blocks hewn from the nearby Ultimo quarry, as are many important other constructions from that time.
This yellowish - we think golden - hue has led some people to think of Sydney as the golden city.
But, you have guessed, I am a Sydneysider so have skin in the game, so to speak.
The noisy university noted by other reviewers has been gone since 2020 owing to the pandemic. Yes, there are students about along with the academics who have survived the economic purges of the last year or so, but many of the buildings are locked and accessible only with the authorised keycard.
At least that is the case at time of writing in April 2021.
But, one can stroll still amongst the "grove" (Greek is academe) and admire the outside.
The Nicholson Museum, mentioned in reviews, has been put together with the Macleay and University art collections into the spanking, new Chau Chak Wing gleaming palace.
BTW: "Sounds Sydney", the café in the Chau Chak is a lovely place to have a snack and/or a drink, the view from the terrace of Victoria Park stunning on most days. Painted mummies and stuffed mammals from previous museums are all in the Chau Chak now, some even with their original 19th century display cases.
If you are a fan for history and architecture, you can spend an easy (quiet) day at USYD.
If if you have the chance to study there, you will find it most rewarding.
All associated with USYD are waiting to see what Mark Scott, the new Vice-Chancellor ,is going to do. As far as I know, Scott is the first USYD V-C in a long time without a PhD: he is not an academic, but a businessman and public servant, born in California, but educated in Australia. Cuts and closures characterised Scott's tenure as head of the ABC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2010-2016), get along to USYD if you want to see the place in tact!
One more thing: have a look at the official "Monopoly" board game for sale in the Museum Shop featuring places at USYD. Besides the amusement and quirky value, it can serve as a comprehensive souvenir of your visit or study time on that campus.
The architectural model for USYD is Oxbridge, 19th century neo-gothic.
It is well to remember that the first places that resembled universities were in Asia with some of those institutions having been founded over a thousand years ago. Civilization slowly made it way to Europe coming through Islamic scholarship in the Middle East and North Africa, with great centres of university learning in Cordoba and Savile. The thirst for learning spread north from Italy (Bologna) and Spain to Paris with the founding of the University of Paris, chartered in 1200, led those on the offshore islands of Britain to consider such an institution, permission for which came from the Parisians.
The prison colony of New South Wales gradually filled with free settlers to overwhelm the indigenous population; as gentrification proceeded apace people thought that an institution of higher education would be a good idea. So, a group of worthy citizens proposed The University of Sydney that by 1850 achieved permission to proceed, although arguments from Britain thought that such a place as Sydney would be good enough only for an examination centre.
The USYD architecture is based on Oxford and Cambridge (or "Oxbridge"), although few in the colony would have known those places personally. So, the quadrangle and tower was an Oxford college (Magdalen?) and the Great Hall based on a scaled down version of the same at Kings College, Cambridge.
Neo-gothic style was popular in the 19th century for government buildings, to lend these nascent organisations the gravitas the founders believed they deserved.
The beauty of USYD is that the buildings were constructed of golden sandstone blocks hewn from the nearby Ultimo quarry, as are many important other constructions from that time.
This yellowish - we think golden - hue has led some people to think of Sydney as the golden city.
But, you have guessed, I am a Sydneysider so have skin in the game, so to speak.
The noisy university noted by other reviewers has been gone since 2020 owing to the pandemic. Yes, there are students about along with the academics who have survived the economic purges of the last year or so, but many of the buildings are locked and accessible only with the authorised keycard.
At least that is the case at time of writing in April 2021.
But, one can stroll still amongst the "grove" (Greek is academe) and admire the outside.
The Nicholson Museum, mentioned in reviews, has been put together with the Macleay and University art collections into the spanking, new Chau Chak Wing gleaming palace.
BTW: "Sounds Sydney", the café in the Chau Chak is a lovely place to have a snack and/or a drink, the view from the terrace of Victoria Park stunning on most days. Painted mummies and stuffed mammals from previous museums are all in the Chau Chak now, some even with their original 19th century display cases.
If you are a fan for history and architecture, you can spend an easy (quiet) day at USYD.
If if you have the chance to study there, you will find it most rewarding.
All associated with USYD are waiting to see what Mark Scott, the new Vice-Chancellor ,is going to do. As far as I know, Scott is the first USYD V-C in a long time without a PhD: he is not an academic, but a businessman and public servant, born in California, but educated in Australia. Cuts and closures characterised Scott's tenure as head of the ABC, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (2010-2016), get along to USYD if you want to see the place in tact!
One more thing: have a look at the official "Monopoly" board game for sale in the Museum Shop featuring places at USYD. Besides the amusement and quirky value, it can serve as a comprehensive souvenir of your visit or study time on that campus.
Written 19 April 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Titus D
Sri Lanka6,908 contributions
Feb 2017 • Friends
It is a easy walk from Sydney to the University of Sidney. Beautiful campus with impressive English architecture. There are so many lovely old buildings. Some of the most amazing sandstone buildings you might think for a moment you were in historical England.
With friends, I spent a bit of time just walking around and taking it all in as it covers a large area. Especially noteworthy were the law building, the quadrangle, and St Paul’s college. There are playgrounds for Cricket, Rugger - Football and the Victoria Park. The broad-way road is near by and by an overhead road. There is a part of a Bicycle found on a wall.
If you go there you can easily combine this visit with the free Nicholson museum, the fish market, or upbeat New-town. I went to there to visit my niece who study there for her bachelor’s degree. While walking around with her, I found the main campus near Broad-ways area is just amazing, with great city location, academic atmosphere and easy to access the public transport. There are beautiful open spaces where you can sit and read a book or lye under the shade of the trees. There is a lovely park surrounding the University. It is a very pleasant environment which is ideal for doing studies.
The Round House at the University was brilliant to hold a concert, very professional in the way they conduct. I recommend to you to visit beautiful University of Sydney.
With friends, I spent a bit of time just walking around and taking it all in as it covers a large area. Especially noteworthy were the law building, the quadrangle, and St Paul’s college. There are playgrounds for Cricket, Rugger - Football and the Victoria Park. The broad-way road is near by and by an overhead road. There is a part of a Bicycle found on a wall.
If you go there you can easily combine this visit with the free Nicholson museum, the fish market, or upbeat New-town. I went to there to visit my niece who study there for her bachelor’s degree. While walking around with her, I found the main campus near Broad-ways area is just amazing, with great city location, academic atmosphere and easy to access the public transport. There are beautiful open spaces where you can sit and read a book or lye under the shade of the trees. There is a lovely park surrounding the University. It is a very pleasant environment which is ideal for doing studies.
The Round House at the University was brilliant to hold a concert, very professional in the way they conduct. I recommend to you to visit beautiful University of Sydney.
Written 27 June 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Kris L
53 contributions
Apr 2017 • Friends
Nice buildings with some tourists taking loads of photos. The Nicholson museum has a collection of artefacts but I wouldn't say the curation is well down. The staff was friendly. Good to be reminded of university life. Stop by on the way to/ from Newtown which is only 10 mins away by foot.
Written 12 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Yingfanzhang
14 contributions
May 2014 • Friends
I went to there to visit my friend, she study there for her master degree, while walking around with her, I found the main campus near broadways area is just amazing, with great city location, academic atmosphere and easy to access the public transport, great experience.
Written 9 March 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi. the university epecially the quadrangle is open for public visit on weekdays and weekends as well? any specific hours?
Written 20 December 2017
Hi,
Sure the university is public open even on weekend. However, this is universiy so we just respect.
Written 25 December 2017
I would like to know if we are allowed to explore inside this wonderful old building, as we are tourists and do we have to pay to enter, is there any tours or the guide can show us around? what number for the public bus transport to get there ?
Written 27 January 2017
The Main Quad is open for public at no charge. Nicholson Museum is open for public too but other halls e.g. the Great Hall AFAIK is only open during certain events like graduation ceremonies.
You have plenty of options to reach Sydney Uni if you are coming from the Central Station. You can take 422, 423, 426 and 428 buses that goes along City Road towards Newtown/Marrickville/Lewisham. Alternatively you can take Parramatta Rd buses no 412, 413, 435, 436, 437, 438, 440, 461 and 480.
Written 27 January 2017
As fascinating as it sounds, may I ask how can I go inside the university? Are the guards allowing random person to go for a visit or do I need to register on to something... (From the university that I came from- Notre Dame University, the admin is really strict for people visiting, not unless a family member/ student will come with you).
Thanks in advance.
Written 23 January 2017
By default anybody who visits the University of Sydney would actually go to the Main Quad and I assume you this is your actual destination. The Main Quad building is open to public during the day including weekends. However, individual components of the Main Quad e.g. Nicholson Museum would have its own opening hours. The Great Hall is only open for certain events like graduation ceremonies.
Academic faculty buildings are generally open during weekdays and closed on weekends. From my experience, in general and for most faculties you are free to enter the academic buildings and even attend lectures. Nobody will ask for your ID unless you act suspiciously.
Fisher Library might require IDs to enter.
Written 27 January 2017
Where can I see the entire univeristy? The top floor of Quadrangle?
Is the entire university open to the public?
Written 14 June 2015
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