The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) provides high quality, innovative programs in teaching and learning, research and engagement in the fields of communication, education and international studies. We have a strong practice orientation with a focus on technology, creativity and an international outlook.

Our vision 

We develop resilient and creative thinkers who lead positive global change and advance public good in a technology driven world.

Our purpose 

We prepare future leaders to be adaptive, globally minded and engaged citizens in a technology-driven world through: 

  • Developing competencies in transcultural communication, creative skills, technology and critical thinking across all disciplines
  • Practice-based and research-informed teaching and learning
  • World-class research that informs and activates positive social change
  • Active collaboration with industry partners, alumni, employers and communities.

Here in FASS, we want to empower our graduates to contribute to the world with impact. We strive to give them the confidence to hold and articulate different perspectives, and yet be open to evidence and viewpoints from outside their own intellectual comfort zone. In other words, we want them to be aware of unseen echo chambers and be humble enough to always be questioning the reasons and motives we all have for settling on a position.

As we face, yes unprecedented, challenges, UTS and FASS graduates will be called upon to demonstrate their resilience and creativity in contributing to social, political, and economic solutions for their communities.

With this in mind, FASS continues to be cutting edge in developing new courses that address local and global challenges, such as our Bachelor of Sustainability and Environment launching in 2021, a new degree that will equip students with the transdisciplinary knowledge and skills to leverage interconnections between environmental, economic, social and cultural sustainability.

Complementing our traditional degree programs, we have developed a suite of microcredentials and short courses, such as Design: Designing for Learning and Managing Crisis Communication, aimed at upskilling and reskilling the workforce.

Wherever these uncertain times take us, FASS will be ready.

A future-focused approach

Although we work across a mix of traditional and emerging disciplines, we take a contemporary approach to everything we do. That means embedding the concepts of innovation, digital disruption, social justice and creativity at the core of our research and teaching.

The Faculty is home to two schools: Communication, and International Studies and Education. We take a hands-on approach to teaching that’s heavily influenced by our extensive industry connections — all our students have the opportunity to undertake internships and other practical placements, both in Australia and overseas, to enhance their work-readiness. We aim to produce agile, forward-thinking graduates who can apply what they know in the real-world, and who can work creatively across a range of sectors.

Whether it’s media and communication, society and culture, teacher education or linguistics, we challenge them — and ourselves — to think beyond traditional discipline boundaries.

One to watch

Established in 1988, UTS is young but wise beyond our years. We have a growing reputation as a world-class university — we’re ranked number 1 in Australia in the World’s Top 50 Universities under 50. We’ve also been recognised for innovation in teaching and learning in the Wharton-QS Stars Reimagine Education Awards.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Science is turning heads too — we’re in the top 100 for Communication and Media and in the top 150 for Education in the QS World University subject rankings. Our research profile is growing rapidly — our research is interdisciplinary and externally engaged, focused on solving real-world problems. None of this would be possible without our outstanding staff, who are thought leaders, professional practitioners, and world-class researchers and teachers across a wealth of disciplines.

At the centre of the world

Location is everything — and our location is second to none. The UTS City Campus sits at the heart of Sydney’s southern CBD, putting one of the world’s great cities right on our doorstep. We've invested more than $1.2 billion to transform our campus into a world-class, interconnected, student-centric space that embodies the latest in innovation and design.

FASS is located in a purpose-built space on one edge of the Alumni Green. It houses formal and informal learning spaces, studios, workshops and other spaces that facilitate innovation in teaching and research. It’s an award-winning building that was designed to promote collaboration and communication — much like the work that we do.