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
2026 Karen Thrift Prize for Poetry
The University of Newcastle School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences is happy to announce that applications for the Karen Thrift Prize for Poetry for 2026 is now open.
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2026 Karen Thrift Original Music and Lyrics Prize
The University of Newcastle School of Humanities, Creative Industries and Social Sciences is happy to announce the launch of the 2026 Karen Thrift 'Original Music and Lyrics' Prize.
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Postcards from Eternity: Terence Koo Album Launch
Experience the launch of Terence Koo’s 4th album, Postcards from Eternity. Performed live on a Steinway concert grand featuring Newcastle Conservatorium Showband.
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Solar Energy Research Showcase
Connecting design, technology, environmental and social sciences, experience the future of household energy.
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GFF26: Acropolis Cats and Other Wondrous Animals
Exploring the lives of stray cats in Athens and beyond.
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Fernleigh Orchestral and Arts Network: Pink Meets Purple
Bridge the worlds of rock and classical with the iconic music of Pink Floyd and Deep Purple.
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Birds of an opera perform together
Telling the story of a little bird with big aspirations has inspired Associate Professor Helen English and Co-Director of Purai Global Indigenous History Centre, Professor Kate Senior, to investigate how creative arts supports the health, wellbeing and inspiration of primary school children.
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Overcoming silence: a renewed effort to listen to the voices of religious sisters
Efforts to engage with the rarely heard stories of religious sisters have received a renewed pledge of support to further inform Australia’s understanding of women’s experiences in the Church.
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Gift or loan? The legal grey area of the ‘bank of mum and dad’
A growing reliance on familial financial support is presenting unprecedented legal risks for Australian families, leaving both parents and adult children vulnerable to costly disputes and fractured relationships.
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Community Support for the Arts
A landmark gift is helping strengthen the cultural legacy that has shaped the University of Newcastle’s long-standing commitment to Australian artists. Aaron and Samantha Sampson have generously donated 80 artworks to the University of Newcastle Art Collection.
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Feminisms from/of the Souths
To celebrate International Women's Day, Purai Global Indigenous History Centre hosted a dialogue across and between feminisms and feminists from/of the South.
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Globally recognised academic named 2026 Lake Mac Ambassador
Professor Tamara Blakemore honoured with Lake Macquarie’s top annual civic award for her tireless work as a global leader in community violence prevention.
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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.