Philip Baxter College
Established in 1966, Philip Baxter College is a welcoming and active community where students build friendships, develop leadership skills and help shape college life through respect, belonging and shared experiences.
Is Baxter for you? Baxter may suit students who value meaningful relationships, new opportunities and contributing to a respectful, inclusive and active community. Baxter is a highly participatory college where residents are encouraged to contribute in ways that reflect their interests, strengths and experiences.
- Overview
- Community and Activities
- College Leadership
- Why Baxter?
Overview
Community life at Baxter is largely student-led, with opportunities to take part in leadership, volunteering, academic activities, cultural and creative initiatives, social events and sport.
While Baxter has a full program of activities during the week, weekends are generally lighter to allow students time to study, work, rest and maintain personal commitments.
Living experience and catering
Baxter is a fully catered college, with breakfast, lunch and dinner provided throughout the academic year. There is one shared kitchen in the main common room for occasional cooking, while floor common rooms include a microwave, kettle, toaster and shared refrigerator.
Baxter may not be the right fit for students who want to cook most of their meals or have complete control over their daily food arrangements. Reasonable dietary requirements can often be accommodated, subject to the College’s catering arrangements.
Respect and Inclusion
Support and Independence
Community Shaped by Students
Community and Activities
Baxter offers a wide range of opportunities to connect, contribute and try something new. Residents can take part in study nights, charity and wellbeing initiatives, cultural events, creative activities, social events and sport.
Student-led events may include the Cultural & Creative Arts Dinner, Inter-floor Competitions, Family Weekend, MasterChef and the Jam in a Jar charity concert, alongside activities such as open mic nights, pastry crawls and Coogee Beach nights.
Participation expectations
Participation is a core part of the Baxter experience. Most activities are voluntary, but residents are expected to contribute to the community in ways that suit their interests and circumstances. Baxter is designed for students who want to be part of a community, rather than simply live alongside one.
Culture and traditions
Baxter values its history while giving each cohort the opportunity to shape the College’s future. Residents may take part in traditions such as formal dinners, where academic gowns are worn, while also creating new events and traditions that reflect the changing community.
Alcohol and Inclusivity
Baxter promotes a safe, respectful and inclusive approach to alcohol. Students who choose to drink are expected to do so responsibly and in accordance with UNSW and College policies. Many College activities are not centred on alcohol, so all residents can participate regardless of whether they choose to drink.
Lauren Ryznar | Dean of Philip Baxter College
Lauren leads the College community and helps create an inclusive, engaging culture. She is available to support residents with their wellbeing, personal development and experience at Baxter.
I am an experienced educator and residential leader, with a background spanning secondary, international and university education. I hold a Master of Educational Leadership from UNSW and a Master of Science in Dance Science and Education from the University of Edinburgh, alongside professional qualifications in boarding leadership and education. I am also currently completing a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
I believe the real value of College extends well beyond providing students with somewhere to live. Residential education creates opportunities for students to build meaningful relationships, develop independence and leadership skills, feel a genuine sense of belonging, and learn how to live well as part of a diverse community. As Dean of Philip Baxter College, my focus is on creating a safe, inclusive and engaging environment where students are supported to succeed academically and personally, while being encouraged to contribute positively to the community around them.
Need help?
You can speak with a team member about academic support, wellbeing, community concerns or settling into Baxter. Professional staff are available on call 24 hours a day for incidents and emergencies.
Everyday Support
Deputy Dean: Deputy Dean works alongside the Dean to provide leadership, pastoral care and guidance throughout the year. They support residents’ wellbeing and helps students find their strengths, build connections and feel at home in the College community.
Resident Mentors: Resident Mentors live alongside students and provide day-to-day academic, pastoral and wellbeing support.
Student Fellows: Student Fellows promote inclusion and wellbeing, provide peer support and help residents connect with the wider College team.
Senior Floor Rep: Senior Floor Representatives help build welcoming floor communities and support residents as they settle into college life.
House Committee
Our student leaders help organise cultural, creative, sporting, social and volunteering opportunities throughout the year. Residents can get involved by joining the House Committee, volunteering at events, sharing an idea or supporting activities on their floor.
A team that works with you
Baxter is a community created with students, not simply for them. Our staff and student leaders are here to provide guidance and support, while encouraging residents to develop independence, contribute to community life and create meaningful connections.
Living on campus makes everything easier. I can walk to class in minutes, and having separate spaces for study and socialising creates a great balance. I’ve made so many friends who’ve made my experience even more rewarding. Productivity and social life overlap so naturally here.
Mondira Paul
Resident Mentor
College has been all about community for me. Coming from a rural area, I quickly connected with the people and made lifelong friends. I became a Resident Mentor after being inspired by the support I received. The accommodation team here does a great job of putting community and wellbeing at the heart of the college experience.
Lachlan Hammond
Resident Mentor
Baxter College has been amazing. It’s such a diverse community and getting to know people from different backgrounds has helped me grow. College is the place you go to make friends and there are so many events and experiences that bring people together.
Ashley Armstrong
House Treasurer
Why Baxter?
Inclusivity
Baxter brings together students from a wide range of cultural, educational and personal backgrounds. We value different perspectives and aim to create an environment where everyone is treated with dignity and encouraged to contribute.
Academic Support
Baxter encourages students to work towards their academic goals while maintaining a healthy and balanced university experience. Residents are responsible for managing their own studies, with support available through peer-led study groups, study nights and Student Academic Representatives who connect students studying similar disciplines. Our academic culture is collaborative rather than highly structured, helping residents learn from and support one another.
The current resident cohort achieves an average Distinction WAM (results at 75+ average)
Wellbeing and Pastoral Care
Residents are supported by the Dean, Deputy Dean, Resident Mentors and trained student leaders. Student Fellows and Senior Floor Representatives help foster connection, inclusion and wellbeing, while professional staff provide pastoral care, academic guidance and individual support.
A member of the College team is available on call 24 hours a day for incidents and emergencies. Residents can also be connected with UNSW services including Psychology & Wellness and UNSW Health Service.
So residents receive support from professional staff and student leaders while developing the independence and responsibility needed for university life.
A Community Shaped by Students
Residents play an active role in creating events, supporting one another and shaping the culture of the College. There is no single way to participate – students can contribute through leadership, volunteering, culture, creativity, academics, social activities or sport.
Features
- average room size 10 to 12 square metres
fully furnished
private and shared bathrooms
all meals provided (including formal dinners)
Wi-Fi, electricity, gas and water included
- cleaning of rooms fortnightly
- opportunities for student leadership and volunteering
24-hour campus security
social and group study rooms on each floor
large common room adjacent to landscaped gardens
rooftop terraces with outdoor barbecue facilities
QR-operated and cashless-operated laundry facilities
- sporting, social and cultural programs
- 24-hour parcel locker access.
- Gallery
- Virtual Tour
Baxter ensuite
Take a 360-degree tour of the on-campus accommodation options at Philip Baxter College with our VR interactive tours*. Depending on your device, use your mouse or swipe actions to explore the rooms and facilities.
*Please note: Our virtual tours show example rooms only. Room sizes, layouts, and features may vary. Any measurements shown are estimates and may not reflect exact dimensions.
Room types & fees
Room type | Meals | Bathroom | Cleaning |
Single | Catered | Shared | Yes |
Single | Catered | Yes | Yes |
- The contract period is 44 weeks.
- Weekly rates are for 2027 and are expected to change yearly. Rates shown are for full-year contracts only.
The contract period is from 6 February to 13 December 2027.
