Welcome

Message from the Dean

A warm welcome to our new students and to those considering pursuing studies in health sciences in the future.

The Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Sydney is a world leader in health science education and research. Our faculty continues to make many impressive contributions: we teach the next generation of leaders in health, we research critical health issues, and translate the solutions into community and clinical settings to improve health outcomes across society.

We have a network of more than 26,000 highly engaged alumni working across all corners of the globe. Our alumni include CEOs of national and international authorities and hospitals, founders and directors of leading not-for-profit organisations, government officials and presidents of professional associations – and importantly our alumni are leading clinicians and researchers across the spectrum of health sciences. By joining us you are taking an important first step on the path to becoming part of this distinguished group.

Depth and quality of our programs

We are one of Australia's largest educators of allied health professionals. Our courses are rigorous, as well as transformative and collaborative to ensure that our graduates are among the best in the world. You will gain the knowledge and expertise to place you at the forefront of your field, with the skills and ability to apply evidence-based and innovative practices, to work in and lead multi-disciplinary teams in a wide range of settings, to think creatively and strategically, be flexible, and to work collaboratively.

We aim to graduate health professionals who are outstanding clinicians, who are leaders in health, and who have an international perspective. Our graduates are preferentially employed and are ready for the new health era.

To achieve these outcomes, we have a particular focus on fostering a learning environment that is inclusive and cross-disciplinary, and on attracting teachers who are world-leading researchers in their area of expertise.

Our researchers are global leaders in ageing; disability and mental health; physical activity and wellbeing; cancer diagnosis and rehabilitation; communication disorders; arthritis and musculoskeletal conditions; medical imaging; Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health; and eHealth and healthcare delivery. We attract the best and brightest minds to the faculty because our people are changing the health landscape. You will be learning from these experts and your study will be informed by the latest research.

A diverse staff and student body

We actively seek to increase participation of students from culturally and socially diverse backgrounds to build a health workforce that reflects Australia's diversity.

Currently we have students drawn from throughout Australia and 112 countries worldwide. This diversity makes for a rich campus environment and also informs the way we teach and carry out our research. We celebrate this diversity, and aim to enhance it further with a particular focus on increasing the participation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people at every level of our study, work and research.

We know that ability and passion can’t always be measured by academic performance alone, so to ensure we are attracting the best students we offer entry options such as through the Early Offer Year 12, Cadigal and Broadway schemes.

Partnerships to prepare you for the real world

The Faculty of Health Sciences maintains a network of learning, teaching, research and corporate partnerships worldwide that will provide you with the best opportunities for hands-on learning and professional contacts to advance your career, not to mention the opportunities created by collaboration with faculties and centres throughout the University of Sydney.

We offer unique mentorship opportunities for our students. In our Leadership Mentoring Program, the most senior leaders in the health sector mentor those students who aspire to be future leaders in health. Our current mentors include the NSW Minister for Health and the Vice-Chancellor at the University of Sydney. In our Alumni Student Mentoring Program, alumni mentor final year students to prepare them for the next steps in their career, and to encourage them to think creatively about career paths. This year, we have launched both these programs in Singapore for Singaporean graduates returning home with plans to expand to other countries.

For clinical training, we have a network of partnerships Australia-wide that will provide you with varied and challenging opportunities for hands-on training. From CBD hospitals to working with rural schools in Broken Hill – your clinical experiences with us will prepare you for the real world. We also offer opportunities to study and volunteer overseas through programs such as the Faculty of Health Sciences Study Abroad program that will differentiate you when you graduate, as a global citizen with an international perspective.

We offer our students a vibrant study and extracurricular experience. I hope you will take up this challenge and join us for the truly transformational experience of an education in the health sciences, whether for the first time as an undergraduate, or continue to engage in a journey of lifelong learning as a postgraduate or higher degree research student with the faculty.

Professor Kathryn Refshauge OAM FAHMS
Dean