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Global Hubs | Australia

Cornell University

Australia

Historic stone building with students walking through an archway.

University of Sydney

About the University 

The University of Sydney (USYD) is considered one of the world's leading, comprehensive research and teaching universities. In creating the first university in Australia in 1850, USYD founders recognized the transformative power of education and research to improve the lives of the communities they served. That belief is held as firmly today.

Leadership has always been a core value at USYD. They were one of the first universities in the world to admit students solely on academic merit and to open their doors to women on the same basis as men. Their aim is to make lives better not just by constructing leaders of society but by equipping people with the qualities that empower them to contribute to the common good.

The university's primary location is the Camperdown/Darlington campus, located in the heart of Sydney. There are nine other campuses and multiple research facilities, including the One Tree Island Research Station near the Great Barrier Reef, which facilitates research on climate change and geology.

Students walking through a tunnel that is graffitied floor to ceiling.

USYD designated an area known as the Graffiti Tunnel as a place to spray paint, write slogans, and create street art. According to some accounts, this space was first used by students protesting the Vietnam War.

About USYD

About the Student Experience

USYD has extensive student mobility programs, with more than 250 exchange opportunities. Cornell has a long-standing exchange program with Sydney, and they provide significant support in academics, student support, and student engagement. The university offers a Mates Abroad mentoring program which pairs exchange students with a local student mentor to ease the transition into Sydney life. Learn about international students at USYD.

Three students standing on a hill overlooking the ocean and the city in the distance.

Personalized experiences: The interdisciplinary nature of their faculties allows USYD to offer a wide range of courses, with more than 400 areas of study available to students, giving exchange students the flexibility to personalize their study abroad experience.

Stone building with a large red #USYD sign in front.

Short-term programs: USYD has designed short-term programs allowing exchange students to undertake internships and classes. Internship organizations vary from start-ups, technology firms, financial service providers, and nonprofits.

Study Abroad in Australia

John Cawley headshot

Cornell Faculty Lead: John Cawley

Professor, Department of Economics, CALS

John Cawley's research focuses on the economics of risky health behaviors; in particular, those that relate to obesity. He studies the economic causes of obesity, the economic consequences of obesity, and economic approaches to obesity treatment and prevention.

Research Themes

A commitment to building a better world drives USYD research. More than 90 research centers focus on innovative collaboration by leveraging deep disciplinary expertise and partnering across institutions and government.

Hubs provide a collaborative platform for thematic research areas based on Cornell's and our partners' academic strengths and local contexts. Research themes being explored at USYD include:

  • Sustainable Development: The Sydney Environment Institute is a leading center in environmental research and climate change. One of the eight research groups in the Chinese Studies Centre focuses on environmental sustainability.
  • Big Data, AI, and New Media: Sydney Artificial Intelligence Centre is committed to advancing research and high-impact outcomes in artificial intelligence. 
  • Future Cities: Smart Urbanism Lab facilitates multidisciplinary smart cities research. USYD is also a world leader in global health research. 

Learn About Hubs Research Themes

Seed Grants

New seed grants from Global Cornell and USYD are deepening relationships between Cornell and its Global Hubs partners across the world. Learn more about the research projects.

About the Location 

Sydney, Australia

Queen Victoria Building in Sydney
The Queen Victoria Building is a heritage site.

There is an unbeatable student ambiance in a vibrant coastal city—you can get from campus to Bondi Beach in 15 minutes! Sydney boasts sunshine, food culture, and a relaxed lifestyle and is known as one of the top student cities in the world. Sydney is a multicultural city with beautiful golden beaches, world-class museums, and art galleries. Students can participate in unique activities, such as surf camp, local sports games, city tours, and more that run throughout the year. Sydney is consistently rated as one of the world's safest and most livable cities. By studying in Sydney, you have an exciting chance to enjoy top academics, creative freedom, and quality of life.