Western Sydney University - School of Arts

Western Sydney University - School of Arts The creative heart of Western Sydney University and the Parramatta region.

30/07/2026

Western’s brand new design program is more than a degree, it’s a place where creativity grows.

Launching in 2027, WSU’s three-year Bachelor of Design puts you in the studio from day one — mastering static and moving media, working with real industry and community clients, graduating job-ready with a portfolio that proves it.

Early entry portfolio interviews Thursdays until end of August, or apply directly to Western or via UAC with your ATAR — links in bio.

Early entry portfolio interviews Thursdays (online) until the end of August
https://admissions.westernsydney.edu.au
or apply directly to Western with your ATAR https://www.westernsydney.edu.au/.../bachelor-of-design

In a world of relative facts and filter bubbles how do we build a common base of reality to anchor democracy?What does i...
27/07/2026

In a world of relative facts and filter bubbles how do we build a common base of reality to anchor democracy?
What does it mean for democracy when so much of the content we’re consuming blurs the lines between fact and fiction?

You’re invited to this special live event by Burning Platforms, where an incredible line-up will explore themes from the ABC series ‘A Matter of Facts’ to life.
It’ll be a fun and interactive, and will challenge you to pick the truth from the lies.
If you’re based in Sydney, register now to attend the event at the PHIVE in Parramatta. There’ll also be drinks and canapés – so make sure you get your ticket now.
Not in Sydney? You can still be part of the event by watching the livestream.

Click here to RSVP now: https://bit.ly/4vfSbYx

The APAC Adobe Student Hub has just been launched and is a great space dedicated to students in our region where they ca...
22/07/2026

The APAC Adobe Student Hub has just been launched and is a great space dedicated to students in our region where they can access free webinars, competitions, curated resources and connect with local and global student communities.

If you’re a WSU student, you're part of an Adobe Creative Campus, which means you get free access to Adobe tools. If you haven't activated your account yet, use your university email to do so or have not engaged with the community yet, then head to the Adobe Student Hub to find out more.

https://adobe.ly/APACEexpress

A lovely story on News.com.au this week highlights the value of supporting school newspapers in primary schools.The arti...
15/07/2026

A lovely story on News.com.au this week highlights the value of supporting school newspapers in primary schools.

The article was written by School of Arts alumna Samina Rakhshani and explores the work of the School News Project, including its annual Press Gang Day. We’re proud to partner with the project by welcoming students from across Sydney into our TV and Design studios for a hands-on day of reporting, storytelling and creative production.
The article also features research by Professor Tanya Notley, which is helping to inform this important work and strengthen young people’s media literacy and participation.

A wonderful example of alumni, research and community partnerships creating real impact.

Read the full article here: https://www.news.com.au/national/nsw-act/news/i-think-about-news-more-deeply-novel-project-teaching-aussie-kids-media-literacy/news-story/9cbf26b8738432fd8d498b7049fde3e8

Picture: The School News Project

Our students have once again made us enormously proud at the 25th Global Chinese Bridge Competition, the most prestigiou...
26/05/2026

Our students have once again made us enormously proud at the 25th Global Chinese Bridge Competition, the most prestigious Chinese language competition for non-Chinese university students.

First Prize: Eva Greenaway
Second Prize: Song Oanh Le

Eva delivered a beautifully structured speech integrating Quiet Night Thoughts and a Chinese tongue-twister, and wowed the audience with a Chinese folk song on saxophone. She will now represent Australia at the Global Final in China, competing against elite contestants from over 120 countries, and has been awarded a Chinese Government Scholarship.

Song Oanh Le demonstrated remarkable command of Chinese pronunciation and tones, reciting five idioms and classical Tang poetry before moving the audience with a Chinese song performance.

This year's competition involved three gruelling rounds across nearly three hours, with strong competition from the University of Sydney, UNSW, UTS, and Macquarie University.

What makes this even more remarkable? Eva achieved this after just one and a half years of study at WSU.

The December 2025 New Colombo Plan China Study Tour, co-led by Dr Qiang Guo, played a key role in building her confidence and bilingual capabilities.

This result is also a testament to 18 years of sustained excellence. 28 WSU students have now won or placed in the top three at this competition. Deepest thanks to A/Prof Ruying Qi for decades of outstanding leadership, and to coaches Dr Qiang Guo and Lijiang Zhao for their extraordinary dedication.

Watch Eva's speech: https://youtube.com/shorts/s8PCGdy7YRM?feature=share
Watch Song Oanh Le's speech: https://youtu.be/7RbBzsGs_Us?si=KMem4F7j8wkEvGdU

Congratulations to the whole Giramondo team, and to Lee Lai, whose graphic novel Cannon (Giramondo, 2026) was announced ...
21/05/2026

Congratulations to the whole Giramondo team, and to Lee Lai, whose graphic novel Cannon (Giramondo, 2026) was announced as the winner of the 2026 Stella Prize!

Worth $60,000 and awarded annually to 'the most excellent, original and outstanding book written by an Australian woman or non-binary writer', the Stella Prize this year made history — Cannon is the first graphic novel ever to receive the top honour.

The judges wrote: 'Cannon is an incontestable reminder that – in the hands of a masterful artist and storyteller – the very best graphic novels can do what prose alone cannot. And Cannon is absolutely one of the best.'

Lai will commence a brief tour of Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney. Public events include a conversation with Prize Judge Benjamin Law tonight, an event at RMIT in Melbourne on Monday, and a Queerstories and prize-winners panel at the Sydney Writers’ Festival next week. See more here: https://giramondopublishing.com/books/

WSU researchers have found that Australia's social media ban is cutting young people off from the news — not pushing the...
19/05/2026

WSU researchers have found that Australia's social media ban is cutting young people off from the news — not pushing them toward better sources.

A new report from Western Sydney University, QUT, and the University of Canberra reveals that 26% of 10–16 year olds have already felt the impact of December's restrictions. More than half report getting less news about world events and local issues as a result.

Nearly 2 in 5 young Australians have no formal news source at all beyond social media. For them, the ban doesn't mean switching to TV or news websites — it means disengaging from news entirely.

"Our data suggests that, for many young people, blocking their social media access doesn't redirect their news engagement — it ends it," says lead researcher Professor Tanya Notley from WSU's School of Arts and Institute for Culture and Society.

The researchers are calling for news engagement to be part of the policy conversation, and for investment in initiatives that help young Australians stay informed.

Read the full report here https://apo.org.au/node/334363

Our final-year Journalism students from the School of Arts – Media and Communication recently went behind the scenes at ...
15/05/2026

Our final-year Journalism students from the School of Arts – Media and Communication recently went behind the scenes at the Australian Broadcasting Corporation Parramatta newsroom!

As part of the Digital Story Production subject (COMM3055), students explored the ABC’s high-tech broadcast and studio facilities, met with the ABC News team, and received valuable industry insights and career advice from NSW News Editor Mark Davies, Deputy Editor Cassandra Bedwell, and working journalists across the newsroom.

The visit was an incredible opportunity for our aspiring journalists and media professionals as they prepare to launch their own careers — especially with several recent Western Sydney University journalism graduates now working at the ABC.

The ABC also offers internship opportunities to our students throughout the year, helping build important industry connections and real-world experience.

Western Sydney University is excited to announce that Wakefield Press has acquired ANZ rights to Saltblood, the debut YA...
12/05/2026

Western Sydney University is excited to announce that Wakefield Press has acquired ANZ rights to Saltblood, the debut YA novel by Nicole Lenoir-Jourdan, via Martin Shaw of Shaw Literary. Nicole is a PhD candidate at Western Sydney University, where her creative thesis explores the female surf protagonist in Australian fiction — and Saltblood is the creative component of that project.

Nicole shared: "Having Felicity and Rachel as my supervisors has been like winning the Lotto twice. I am deeply indebted to them for their marvellous support, and to Western Sydney University for championing my work. I would describe Saltblood as Puberty Blues meets Looking for Alibrandi, reimagined for a contemporary audience."

We congratulate Nicole and her supervisors Dr Felicity Castagna and Dr Rachel Morley on this wonderful achievement.

Address

Western Sydney University, Locked Bag 1797
Penrith, NSW
2751

Telephone

1300 897 669

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