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Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

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Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Leading teaching and research in 21st century humanities and social sciences

Driven by academic rigour, intellectual curiosity and social inclusion, we're committed to solving pressing global challenges.

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Study arts and social sciences

Realise your ambitions. Join our vibrant faculty.

Whether you’re fresh from high school, wanting to change career or upskill, or looking to delve into research, our reputation for world-class teaching and research makes us a leader for study in the arts and social sciences.

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Semester 2 information

This information is correct as of Friday 3 July

The second semester for 2020 will commence on 24 August. While we are pausing a number of units of study in response to COVID-19 related declines in student enrolment, over 1,000 units of study will still be offered.

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Our research

From archaeological digs to artificial intelligence and legal ethics to language learning, we bring our love of knowledge and culture of excellence to the world's greatest challenges.

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Industry and community

Connect with us to meet our bright students, experience our lively events and hear from some of the best thinkers in Australia.

Faculties and schools_

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Schools

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is home to some of the world’s most outstanding scholars.

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Our people

We are committed to delivering an exceptional curriculum and supporting both our staff and students to maximise their professional and academic potential.

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Discover your options in the Arts and Social Sciences

COVID-19 updates

Supporting our community

Facts & figures

#22 in the world for Arts and Humanities (2020 QS World University Rankings)
#25 in the world for Social Sciences (2020 QS World University Rankings)
#2 globally, in Times Higher Education (THE) University Impact Rankings 2020
Est. 1852 Over 165 years of teaching and research excellence
6 schools Economics; Education and Social Work; Languages and Cultures; Literature, Art and Media; Philosophical and Historical Inquiry; Social and Political Sciences

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Latest news

Education grad at work: On being a young high school teacher

Following an internship, Jason was offered a full-time role and now teaches History, English and Geography. Here, he shares insights into how his degree supports his work in the classroom and the quality of his tutors at Sydney.

A Virgin Airlines plane

Virgin Australia on life support

The private equity takeover of Virgin offers a lifeline to the struggling airline, but is unlikely to amount to more than that, writes Associate Professor of Economics, Mark Melatos, for The Conversation.

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"I'm not addicted!" Kids have a right to play - even digitally

Children adopt the word "addicted" to describe a game as fun or to say how long they played it. But adults use it as a pathology - and that can harm kids.

Nikita Papastamatis, Politics and International Relations student

Student spotlight: The USYD community and studying online

We recently caught up with second year Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor Advanced Studies (Politics and International Relations) student Nikita Papastamatis, to ask him why he choose Sydney, what classes were like online and how he came to major in Philosophy.

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A feminist approach to the Anthropocene

Feelings are not an obvious tool in the intellectual processes of academic research. Yet Dr Astrida Neimanis uses “feel-ed work” in her study of the relationship between people and water. She is writing a book with the ambiguous working title The Feeling of Water and, yes, she cares how the earth’s waters feel as a result of human activities.

International student spotlight: Study at Sydney and online

When COVID-19 hit, international student Urvashi Bandhu had just started her second year. She doubted if classes could be run online effectively and whether she would cope. Now, she quite enjoys it and says it shouldn't deter students from enrolling.

Students in class on Zoom

Scepticism to surprise: Teaching excellence continues during COVID-19

Despite the significant disruption COVID-19 has brought to university life, Arts and Social Sciences students recently let us know they continued to receive a high standard of education last semester.

Dr Luara Ferracioli

Sydney philosopher to learn tricks of media trade

Dr Ferracioli will spend two weeks at the national broadcaster, learning skills to promote her research on the philosophies of migration and procreation, adoption and parenting.

Alexander Webb

Graduate awarded RN Spann Scholarship in public policy

Alexander Webb has received the RN Spann Scholarship for achieving outstanding results in the Master of Public Policy at the University of Sydney.

$6.6m awarded to Future Fellowships

Australian Research Council funding supports Australia's most outstanding mid-career researchers in Humanities and Sciences at the University of Sydney.

We acknowledge the traditional custodians of the country on which the University of Sydney campuses stand and our responsibility to respect and care for country, people and spirit.