School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences
Unlock your potential and shape the future of culture, society, and the arts.
Advancing human understanding
We offer a wide range of subjects that help us understand people, cultures, and societies, and imagine the future.
We bring together a dynamic mix of subject, taught by a team of talented artists, musicians, designers, and creative professionals. Our facilities support learning, creativity, and hands-on experience and offer modern spaces for music production, performing arts, and design.
Visual Communication Design student piece at graduation showcase - Ally Ferris
Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts student performing in Chromatic Festival – Jack Chambers
Shooting student documentary film ‘Beyond the Break’
Bachelor of Communication and Media students hosting the Screen and Media graduate showcase event
National Higher Education Category winning animation ‘When Chickens Fly’ at 3Thirty Film Competition – UoN VisCom Club students.
Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts student performance at Tertiary Student Concert.
Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts student performance at Tertiary Student Concert.
Student work displayed at Chromatic Festival 2023
Student shooting content at Chromatic Festival – Jack Khoo
Student receiving award at annual film screening event “The Newbies”.
Grand opening of Visual Communication Design Exhibition.
Students working behind the scenes and producing “Chromatic Live TV” event
Bachelor of Music and Performing Arts students participate in live studio performance as part of “Chromatic Live TV”
Bachelor of Media and Communication student interviewing performers at opening of Chromatic Festival
Bachelor of Media and Communication students filming content at Chromatic Festival
Study with us
Our students develop in-demand skills that are transferrable across industries, while also having access to state-of-the-art facilities and the latest technologies. Our academic experts teach courses in the following discipline areas.
Research
Our research is grounded in the humanities, social sciences, and creative fields, and strengthened through collaboration with researchers across other Schools and Colleges.
Where will you study?
Find out more on Newcastle City campuses
Say Aahhhh: Health, Medicine and Everyday Care in Newcastle from 1945 to 2000
Come and explore Say Aahhhh: Health, Medicine and Everyday Care in Newcastle from 1945 to 2000, an exhibition exploring the unique and surprising history of health care in Newcastle.
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Rubrics Workshop (Callaghan)
This Rubrics workshop will cover the principles of using rubrics for assessment. Participants will learn how to construct a rubric that will support student learning and increase the efficiency and consistency of marking.
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Ed Tech for Active Learning
Explore the educational technology available to increase student engagement through active learning.
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Active Learning in Online Classrooms
Explore active learning teaching techniques to increase student engagement in online classrooms. Ascertain the benefits of active learning practice and determine when to employ active learning in the classroom.
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Using GenAI in Assessments: 7 Approaches for Students
This hands-on workshop is designed to empower educators to leverage generative AI as a tool to enhance student engagement, foster creativity, and strengthen constructive alignment in assessment practices.
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AI Sector Voices: Cogniti and Biochemistry Education
In the lead up to our initial Cogniti training session on 02 April, LDTI is pleased to welcome Dr Barbara Hadley (Griffith University School of Pharmacy and Medical Sciences). Barbara will be discussing how Cogniti supports engagement in a biochemistry course made up of students from a variety of backgrounds and levels of academic preparedness.
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Exciting International Opportunities for Creative Industries Students coming this year
Applications are now open for students studying Visual Communication Design or Media and Communication in 2026 as plans come together for the 2026 Singapore Study Tour and the 2026 Annecy Visual Communication Design Study Tour to France.
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Translating compassion: a linguist's commitment to social inclusion
Dr Suzan Makhloof is a decorated lecturer in linguistics and cross-cultural communication, teaching English in Hunter schools to students from diverse backgrounds. Marking the completion of the PhD in linguistics, she will cross the stage at University of Newcastle graduation on Tuesday, 16 December.
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We’re not going anywhere: Muswellbrook faces transition beyond coal head on
As the Hunter region of New South Wales inches toward the closure of the state’s largest coal mine, Muswellbrook community members are urging industry to leave a positive legacy in their wake.
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New research reveals hidden cost of supporting adult children
A new study has uncovered the hidden burden of the financial and practical support many Australian parents are bearing for their adult children.
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A lasting tribute to friendship and song
A remarkable bequest to the University of Newcastle’s Conservatorium of Music continues to shape the future of music education and nurture the next generation of performers in our region.
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Journalism student Blair Wise wins 2025 Kennedy Awards Student of the Year
University of Newcastle journalism student Blair Wise was named Student Journalist of the Year at the 2025 Kennedy Awards, Australia’s most prestigious journalism awards.
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The University of Newcastle acknowledges the traditional custodians of the lands within our footprint areas: Awabakal, Darkinjung, Biripai, Worimi, Wonnarua, and Eora Nations. We also pay respect to the wisdom of our Elders past and present.