Our Vision

I would like to extend to you a warm welcome to the University of Western Sydney (UWS).

UWS is a major urban university spread over six campuses in Greater Western Sydney, a region of great opportunity, diversity, challenge and growth. The University shares many of the characteristics of the region, as we closely identify and work with local communities and businesses.

We are enterprising and forward-looking and committed to access and equity in higher education. We put knowledge to work in the education of our students for employment, in the application of research to contemporary problems, and in mutually enriching partnerships with communities.

The University is culturally diverse, with over 2500 staff and about 40 000 students drawn from Australia and around the world. We are proud of the rich texture of history, knowledge and skills that the UWS community possesses.

Our University is designed for the knowledge economy of the 21st century where economic growth and social outcomes will depend on the skills of individuals and communities, and where education will be flexible and continually adapt to meet individual needs.

The University is closely linked to Greater Western Sydney, one of the nation’s economic powerhouses where ten per cent of all Australians live, and has a teaching and research structure designed to meet the challenges of the new economy.

UWS courses are focused on the future. From professional education in vocationally-based disciplines through to critical scholarship in higher degree programs, the University ethos emphasises critical and questioning enquiry and innovation.

Our students are at the heart of everything we do. We are committed to providing students with both the information they need to succeed in today’s social, political and economic climate and the skills that will help them to adapt for tomorrow’s. We want students’ experience of University to be positive, enjoyable and enriching.

Despite its size and geographic spread, UWS is known as a friendly and welcoming place where each campus is a community in microcosm and staff will go out of their way to help. We are continuing to improve services and amenities to enhance the student experience.

To help make university study attractive and accessible, scholarships are available both for high-achievers and for those who are economically or educationally disadvantaged.

Many of our courses are developed with industry input and taught by people who are leaders in their field, keeping our students in touch with real world needs and best practice. Employers often comment on the practical approach and flexibility of UWS graduates, who are known to 'hit the ground running'. The success of our students is testimony to the quality of a UWS education.

I hope you enjoy browsing our website and I encourage you to seek more information by contacting the University about your areas of interest.

Professor Janice Reid, AM
Vice-Chancellor