Student Life

Our School

Our School has about 31 academic staff and a similar number of support staff in offices, computing, laboratories and workshops. These provide the learning environment for about 950 undergraduate students and 195 postgraduate research and coursework students. In semester time this produces a lively, busy community with some students listening in lecture theatres, some working in tutorial rooms and laboratories and others sitting together around tables in lobbies finalising the assignment which is due that day

There is time for socialising too, perhaps over a cup of espresso coffee in the coffee shop downstairs.

Student Impressions

Staff Impressions

“I think students in their first semester are different. There is so much that is new, and so much to get used to.  It's exciting, but sometimes scary.  After Semester 1 is negotiated (and enjoyed) students settle in and are at home — until they are about to leave. Final semester is readjustment time again.” (RF 2005)

“It's great to really get to know some of the students when I'm their thesis supervisor. I like to see them slowly realise that the work they are doing is new — there is no 'answer' at the end for them to check — and see them get excited about what they are finding out. And by the end of the project we've become an enthusiastic team working together on the project.” (TB 2006)

“You'll sometimes need to come and see me in the General Office if you need help with planning your program. Mostly you'll wait a short time, but of course at the start of semester, when people have lots of questions, you might have to wait a while in a queue. But you'll have other students to talk to while you wait.” (CR 2006)

Student-led Projects

Students in our School can develop their technical and managerial skills — and have fun — by participating in student-run projects such as:

• BLUEsat — Design, build and one day launch a micro-satellite
• Formula SAE — Design, build and compete with an open-wheeled racing car
• HOVSTAR — Design, build and fly an unmanned surveillance vehicle
• MAVSTAR — Micro Aerial Vehicles for Search, Tracking And Reconnaissance
• Sunswift — UNSW-wide; Design, build and compete with a solar-powered car

Student Societies within our School

The Mechanical Engineering Society, better known as MECHSOC, is a student-run organisation which is for all students in the School.

Within UNSW

UNSW has all the student societies you would expect on a vibrant campus. There are of course many places to eat and relax — and you can get excellent coffee! You can take advantage of university life in many ways, from sport to music, theatre to religion. The student organisation Arc @ UNSW is a good starting point.

Beyond UNSW

Close to UNSW are cafes and restaurants with cuisine from around the world, with many priced to suit students. It's a 30-minute bus ride to the centre of Sydney.