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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Book Launch: The Good Sea by Vannessa Hearman
The Journey of the Tasi Diak and the Politics of Refugee Protection in Australia.
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Finding home: life outside institutions
Exhibiting the stories of those who attended and left mental hospitals between 1900 to 1960 to better understand mental health care in the community before new ideas about 'community psychiatry'.
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Northern Lights: Journey to the World Choir Games
Newcastle Chamber Choir showcases their competition repertoire before they represent Australia at the 2026 World Choir Games in Sweden.
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SEUSSICAL JR.!
A Dr Seuss-inspired stage spectacular is coming to Newcastle this July school holidays!
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Cinematic Sounds - School Holiday Workshop
A two day school holiday workshop that provides students with the opportunity to put sound to a short, animated film.
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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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Exceptional educators celebrated in national teaching awards
Two academics from the University of Newcastle have been recognised for their innovative and creative teaching styles at the Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT).
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Post‑mining research comes to life in community art exhibition
A new art exhibition has emerged from a four‑year study led by University of Newcastle researcher Associate Professor Hedda Askland, exploring how the Hunter Valley can navigate its post‑mining future.
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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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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.