Faculty of Education and Social Work handbook

Message from the Dean

On behalf of the teaching and administrative staff, it is my privilege to welcome you to the Faculty of Education and Social Work.



Education and Social Work both have a strong tradition in the University. The Faculty of Education was established in 1986 and in 2003, joined with Social Work and Social Policy Studies to create our faculty. The professions of Education and Social Work have much in common, and we are in the process of developing joint programs and initiatives that involve aspects of both professions, allowing us to more effectively address social justice and inequity. Our partnership has been very important in developing concepts of professional education and ways of supporting students as learners and practitioners.


As might be expected, the faculty is blessed with many excellent teachers who model best practice to their students. It also has a research-intensive culture, the output of which is important in policy development and practice in a range of professions, as well as in providing opportunities for students to learn about new issues and developments in their chosen professions.


The faculty is one of its kind, the largest in the country and, at the undergraduate level, offers courses to students wishing to become social workers and teachers at the primary or secondary school levels, or who will specialise in PDHPE (Personal development, health and physical education). In addition to dedicated, single degrees, the faculty also offers a number of combined degree courses with other faculties in the University. A feature of all our courses is a strong partnership with other faculties in the University. In all degree courses, students have the opportunity to study in areas of their interest in the Faculty of Arts, Science or Economics and Business. Professional experience in schools and field experience in human services agencies are important components of our degrees. The faculty enjoys some of the best facilities in the country and boasts good IT labs, a dance studio, art workshops, music rooms and an exercise physiology lab. The faculty maintains excellent relations with our professions.


Among the features of Education courses is inclusion of units of study which help students learn how to integrate IT into their teaching practices and cater for students with special needs, as well as those who are of Indigenous heritage or who are speakers of languages other than English. In addition to specialist study in teaching subjects, students learn about the latest developments in pedagogy and curriculum studies, as well as relevant aspects of the foundation disciplines of history, philosophy, psychology and sociology. Social Work at the University of Sydney is similarly regarded with the highest esteem because of the quality of education provided and the calibre of the graduates within the profession. The degrees are notable for the integration of studies of social policy with social work. Students are encouraged to take advantage of opportunities to study abroad for a semester during their course and to learn about the professional issues in a variety of cultural contexts.

At the postgraduate level, the faculty offers an innovative Master of Teaching degree to students seeking a professional teaching credential, and has a range of specialist Master of Education and Master of Social Work higher degree courses. In addition, the faculty established a Doctoral School in 2009 to more effectively meet the needs of its large and vibrant group of students undertaking research higher degrees.


Best of all are the faculty's staff and students, who together create an exciting intellectual environment, in which it is very rewarding to participate. We are pleased that you are joining the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Sydney and look forward to welcoming you in the coming months.

Professor Robyn Ewing
Acting Dean