1. Location

Sydney University Village is located on the Darlington Campus of Sydney Uni.

It takes a maximum of 12 minutes to walk from the Village to any other part of the Campus.

Public transport is very convenient, or a short 100 metre walk takes you into the heart of Newtown and its eclectic selection of cafés and shops. Many students of the University live in the outer extremes of Sydney and travel can take up to one hour each way.

The benefit of staying on Campus will not only save time but also transport costs.

2. Quality facilities

The facilities of the Village are new and they have all been designed with the specific needs of students in mind.

Students have to balance the need for study with what for some is a very hectic and enjoyable social life.

Noise reduction between rooms was a major consideration, as was the provision of adequate common areas for groups to gather.

A comprehensive maintenance program is also in place to ensure that the facilities remain in excellent condition for residents.

3. Variety of choice

You have a choice of room types at the Village (subject to availability).

You may like to have the privacy of a studio apartment, with its double bed and en suite bathroom, or you may choose the more communal living of the five bedroom apartment.

Wherever possible we will accommodate your preference, but certain room types are limited in numbers.

4. Fully furnished apartments

All accommodation at the Village has a comprehensive furniture package included.

Large desks, ergonomic chairs, pin boards and shelving in rooms that have all been designed with student needs as the foremost consideration.

Double beds in the studios and king single beds in all other apartments are far larger than would be expected in comparable accommodation.

5. Self catering

The one, two, four and five bedroom apartments all have quality kitchens with granite bench tops and combination microwave oven, stainless steel hot plates and a refrigerator.

All you will have to bring are your own cooking implements and hopefully a few culinary skills.

6. Studio apartments

The studio apartments are all located in the two main buildings of the Village, which overlook Carillon Avenue and the University.

Located below the studios are the Village hub (a common room, complete with its own fireplace), reception and the Well [bar]..

Studios are ideal for residents who do not want the responsibility of maintaining a clean kitchen but want the privacy of their own en suite bathroom. The studios also feature a microwave, bar fridge, ceiling fan and a double bed in addition to the normal bedroom fit out.

7. Intranet and internet access

All bedrooms in the Village have a high speed data port located at the desk.

For those of you who understand "tech talk", we have a 1GB fibre optic cable link to the University. We have installed Cat5E Cable to each room and we are using Cisco routers and switches.

For those who did not understand the last sentence, our data equipment is very fast!!

For those of you who do not own computers or printers you can always use ours in the resource centre. Two of the computers in the resource centre are Apple Macs.

8. Security

The Village U CARD™’s primary function is an electronic door key. Every apartment in the Village is fitted with a quality secure mortise lock.

Appropriately placed lighting and the presence of a number of security cameras throughout Village common areas will greatly assist us in maintaining a secure environment, as will regular patrols from the University Security Office.

There are also numerous duress buttons located throughout the Village which when activated contact Sydney University Security immediately, who will respond within minutes.

9. Value

Weekly residential fees start from $165.00 for a fully furnished bedroom in a four or five bedroom apartment, with a maximum of $316.50 per week for a one bedroom apartment.

Weekly residential fees are comparable to alternative University College accommodation and generally cheaper than external accommodation. When comparing costs with other suppliers of accommodation, make sure you consider all benefits of the Village in your calculation.

10. Flexible payment systems

In a lot of ways this is more important than the actual cost of the accommodation.

It would be great if everyone paid the full year’s fees up front, but we do understand that is totally impractical for most. In an effort to make it as easy as possible for residents to pay fees you can pay fortnightly.

At any time during your stay at the Village you will be able to access your account to keep an idea of what you have spent and what you owe.

11. Quality and diverse dining options

Gone is the expectation that residents at University will eat 21 meals a week at relatively inflexible times of the day.

Residents will pay a weekly amount of $20, which is credited to your U CARD™ account. This can be redeemed at the Village food and beverage outlets including The Hub, Hoochie Mamma [café], the Well [bar] (with a pizza oven and barbeque) and the Store. Takeaway food is also available from these outlets.

All of the catering at the Village is operated by professional restaurateurs who have extensive experience in catering in a student environment. They are not the traditional institutional caterer! There will be a wide variety of excellent food to cater for all tastes.

12. Community living

The Village is not only for the exclusive use of residents but also for their friends and acquaintances. The catering facilities and lounge area can be used by members of the local public, who in turn will be welcome as part of our community.

University life does not finish at the end of the final lecture, but potentially continues into the evening or over the weekend. Life at Sydney University Village is not only conducive to assisting study, but will also have a strong social aspect.

The forming of associations, teams and social groups at the Village will strengthen relationships among residents.

Meeting places such as the Hub, the Well [bar], the Village Green or the numerous function rooms will be popular places in which to catch up on a formal or informal basis.

13. Residential Assistance programs

As part of the Village community, there are a number of Resident Assistants (RAs).

RAs are senior students who work with the Village Director in overseeing the general pastoral and social programs of the Village.

The RAs will have many specific roles but they are not tutors and neither are they policemen. The RAs will maintain a constant and stabilising presence in the Village, providing support and enrichment for fellow students in personal, social and recreational matters.

14. 52 weeks accommodation

No, we do not ask you to leave at the end of the academic year (or during the midyear break).

If you have a job in Sydney or if you are continuing studies over the summer break, you are more than welcome to stay on - after all you are paying for it.

If you choose not to stay beyond the end of the academic year, you can always put your room in the letting pool for the summer break and we will endeavour to secure you a fee rebate by letting out that pool to conferences, visitors to Sydney etc.

15. The atmosphere

The true diversity of cultures and backgrounds that is present at Sydney University Village will ensure that it is an exciting place to be part of.

Interest continues to be received from students of all ages from mature aged students doing their Masters degree to 1st Year Undergraduates.

Intrastate, Interstate and International students are all well represented at the Village as are Sydney City students who recognise the benefit of living on Campus.

The Village has no religious affiliation and a casual environment prevails.

There is no rigid or stuffy traditions, dated rituals, academic snobbery or hierarchical issues. In contrast, a responsible social and community attitude is encouraged.