University of Sydney

University of Sydney, institution of higher education in Sydney, Australia. Established in 1850, it is the oldest university in Australia. In 1852 the school began teaching classes in various buildings in Sydney. Its first permanent building, the Great Tower, was completed in 1862. The university first admitted women in 1881.

The University of Sydney confers bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees. It offers programs in agriculture, architecture, arts, business, dentistry, economics, education, engineering, law, sciences, and veterinary science. Many other institutions are associated with the school, including the Cumberland College of Health Science, the New South Wales College of Arts, the State Conservatory of Music, the Sydney College of Advanced Education, the Institute of Nursing Studies, and the Sydney Institute of Education. In addition to its standard curriculum, the university offers courses and seminars for the general public, professionals, and other groups.

The university maintains several research centers and teaching hospitals. Other facilities include the Museum of Contemporary Art, which features a large collection of both Australian and foreign works. The University of Sydney’s library has a larger collection than any other university library in Australia.