You are here

Moving to
Wollongong

A place to belong

Wollongong attracts people from all over Australia and the world to enjoy a healthy, active lifestyle. Here you can live stress-free and focus on your studies. At every turn there will be new opportunities: to follow your passions, make discoveries and figure out what you stand for.

Wollongong is more than just a uni.
 
It takes you in and becomes a part of you.
 
It's a place to stretch your wings and find yourself.
 
To soak in your surroundings, and make time to meet the locals.
 
To rest your head and stay awhile. A place to belong.
 
It's a global network of people and campuses united by determination and purpose to make the world a better place.
 
Where hands-on learning prepares you for the real world.
 
Because a UOW student always stands out from the pack, and when you graduate you're in good company.
 
It's more than just a uni. It's a way of life.
 
It's a place to take a stand for the future, for society, for you.
 

 

Living in Wollongong

Cost of living

Wollongong enjoys a very reasonable cost of living, so you can focus on your studies, not your finances.

A student walking with purpose in front of North Wollongong train station Transport in Wollongong

In Wollongong, getting where you need to go is safe, easy and affordable.

Wollongong is more than just 'Wollongong'

Wollongong is more than just 'Wollongong'. Being the 10th largest city in Australia, there are many surrounding suburbs of Wollongong you can live in if you are studying at the University of Wollongong.

Wollongong is more than just 'Wollongong’.

Wollongong - 10th largest city in Australia.

66 neighbourhoods, map showing Tarrawanna, Towradgi, Keiraville, North Wollongong, Figtree, Wollongong, Coniston, Farmborough Heights, Coniston, Primbee, Mount Keira, Mount Kembla, Kembla Heights, Berkeley, Corrimal, Fairy Meadow, Port Kembla, Windang, Lake Illawarra, Otford, Stanwell Tops, Coalcliff, Scarborough, Wombarra, Thirroul, Bulli, Helensburgh, Woonona, Austinmer, Bellambi, Dapto, Oak Flats, Barrack Heights, Albion Park, Minnamurra, Kiama, Horsley, Albion Park Rail, Shell Cove, Warilla, Shellharbour, Kiama Downs.

Wollongong - 300,000+ residents

Wollongong – 85 minutes from Sydney CBD by train.

Map showing Waterfall, Heathcote, Sutherland, Engadine, Gerringong, Berry. Map showing a 30 minute and 60 minute line. 

Transport is cheap and easy.

Transport – Buses connect UOW to surrounding suburbs, including a free city loop shuttle.

Transport – Trains are a short walk or a free bus ride from campus.

Transport – bicycle paths make cycling a great option for getting to UOW.

Transport – Walk easily between UOW, Wollongong city and beaches.

Transport – Carpool with two or more friends for free parking at UOW.

Wollongong is more than just 'Wollongong’. Picture slideshow of Wollongong scenery including Sea Cliff Bridge, Stanwell Park Beach, Innovation Campus, Stanwell Tops.

A university city

Live in Wollongong

Wollongong Harbour Visit Wollongong

Support for students

Multi coloured balloons on campus for Orientation weeek The campus experience

Boy preschooler at Early Start Discovery space Moving with family

Living on campus

As a city filled with students (just like you), Wollongong is the perfect place to start your future. Many students say one of the best parts of the university experience is living on campus. You'll become part of an instant community, make new friends before you start your classes, and have access to all the services and support you need to be happy and succeed at uni.

More about UOW Accommodation

Ali: I’m Ali.

Julia: My name is Julia.

Lillian: My name is Lillian and I live in UOW accommodation.

Julia: I thought it would be really hard to begin with, because I was away from my family. But because it was so inviting and so many people around me, it almost felt like a home away from home.

Lillian: I moved here from the Blue Mountains, so a little bit past Sydney. I decided to move to Wollongong because it offered the best course for me, but I really didn't want to be travelling back and forth. I wanted to feel settled in one place.

Ali: I thought that it would be so far from everything, but the train station is so close. Whenever something is happening in Sydney I just jump on the train.

Lilian: There’s a fair bit of nightlife, which is pretty fun, but it's really relaxed. It's really easy to just go into town, hang out, you know. There's a lot of cute little cafes to have lunch at, or go to the beach and just sit for a while.

Julia: I thought I would just be a student going to class every day, but it's been so much more than that. I’ve been able to do so many more things and meet so many people.

Ali: It gives you a better feeling that you are supported and you're not alone.

Lillian: It's such a social and a positive environment, and being inspired by other people who are just so driven.

Julia: It's not just a degree anymore. It's kind of a different lifestyle and it's exactly what you want out of uni.

Find work in Wollongong

Working in Wollongong

See how UOW can help you connect with potential employers and learn the skills you need to successfully navigate the job market.

careers hub Work while you study

UOW offers a number of services that can help make finding work that fits with your studies a little easier.

Work-ready skills

UOW's Careers & Employability (formerly Careers Central) will help you gain professional experience, engage with employers, and can even offer advice on your resume and job applications.

Meet Hannah

"Coming from a country town it can be hard to understand the idea of living overseas or travelling, or even all of the job possibilities, but moving away from home for uni has opened me up to all of this."

Read Hannah's story

Need more help?

Campus tours

Female student studying/writing algebra on a translucent white board Find your course

Apply