A Beginner's Guide to University

Physical and Geographical Size

Finding Your Way Around Campus

Universities in general are big places, much larger than even the biggest high school. UNSW is one of the biggest universities in Australia, and has more than one campus, plus:

• 40,000 Students
• 5,000 Staff

This is the population of a good-size country town!

UNSW Facts in Brief

Then there is the physical size. Although the main UNSW campus sits tightly within three suburbs - Kensington, Kingsford and Randwick - it is so large that it has its own postcode!

This can cause some difficulties. You'll find yourself moving from a high school with a small population, and a physical environment with which you're very familiar, to the sprawling community of UNSW. This is a daunting and exciting prospect.

So, how do you manage the size of the campus?

Tips

Get to know the physical environment before you start uni:

• Visit the campus before you enrol and have a look around.
• Acquire a map of the campus to orientate yourself.
• Learn the names of the buildings and what is taught in them.
• Make sure you visit the campus during O-week. Attend one of the many orientation programs offered by schools, faculties and units.
• Go on a Library tour. The UNSW Library is huge and, as you'll be spending so much time here, it's worth getting to know the layout. Make a note of the floors and shelves that house the material you'll be reading for your courses.
• Prepare for your first weeks well ahead of time.

Click on the UNSW map above to access larger versions