The Women's College within the University of Sydney

The Women's College within the University of Sydney

• Women's College, Sydney University

• Educational
• Universitaire

The Women’s College opened with four students in March 1892, eleven years after the Senate of the University of Sydney had resolved to admit women on an equal basis to men.

Unlike many of their contemporaries overseas (including the women of Oxford and Cambridge) who were allowed to study but not granted degrees, Australian women would graduate with the same qualifications as men.

The College’s first home was a rented house in Glebe. It moved to its own building within the University grounds in May 1894. Designed by the architectural firm of Sulman and Power, the College’s first permanent home still forms the heart of the present building complex and is heritage listed.

The College now accommodates 250 women undergraduates and 30 postgraduates.

The College operates within the boundaries of the University of Sydney.

The Archivist reports to the College Vice Principal. All access to the collection is by permission of the Vice Principal.

The history of The Women's College, its staff and students including their biographical details and careers.

The College Archives are located in the Vere Hole Resource Centre. They cover the full range of the College’s history, from its establishment in 1892 up to the present day. They also hold the personal papers of several of the College’s principals, including Louisa MacDonald (founding Principal) and Doreen Langley (Principal 1957-1974). The Archives reflect the life and work of the College, its residents, and its staff.

The archival collection is catalogued using Archive Manager software, and is only accessible by the Archivist.

Open Wednesdays only 9.30am-3.30pm, by appointment.

All access to the collection is by permission of the Vice Principal.

Revised 19 April 2018

• Éducation (Thematic area)
• Genealogical (Thematic area)