What’s it like to study at Lexis Sydney?
Lexis Sydney is located in Manly, one of the best-known beach suburbs in Australia. You get all the benefits of being close to the city without being stuck in it. The campus is absolutely right on the beach (the only beach front school in Australia!) with views out over the ocean and a steady stream of salty air and sunshine. You can watch surfers between classes and be in the water a minute after school ends. In season, you can see whales jumping, even when you’re sitting in your classroom!
The school itself has modern classrooms, shared lounge spaces, and a terrace that’s popular for lunch breaks and afternoon hangouts. The atmosphere is lively but friendly. Because it’s in Manly, the school attracts students who want the best of both worlds. You’ve got ferries into the city if you want to explore Sydney, but everything you need is right here—cafes, gyms, shops, bars, and of course the beach.
It’s a great location for students who want to learn seriously while enjoying the lifestyle that Australia is famous for.
What kind of students go to Lexis Sydney?
Lexis Sydney has a good mix of students, both in terms of nationality and motivation. You’ll find General English students, IELTS and Cambridge students, Working Holiday visa holders, and people combining short-term study with travel. Manly also attracts a slightly older student in some cases, especially from Europe and Japan, who are looking for a more chilled experience than the backpacker-heavy city centre.
Most students are in their 20s or early 30s, but there’s also a steady stream of long-stay learners and people coming for short, intensive courses. Nationality mix changes by season, but you’ll usually see strong representation from Switzerland, Japan, Korea, Brazil, and France.
The common thread is that people here are looking for a beach lifestyle. If you’re more interested in surf and sunsets than nightclubs and skyscrapers, Manly is probably a better fit than the Sydney CBD.
Is Manly a good place to stay while studying?
Manly is one of the most livable suburbs in Sydney. It’s safe, walkable, and has everything you need within 10 minutes, including supermarkets, cafes, bars, gyms, beaches, parks. Manly feels like a small town but has the benefits of being connected to one of Australia’s biggest cities.
You can take a ferry into the city in about 15 minutes, so if you want to work or explore Sydney after class, it’s easy. At the same time, a lot of students find they don’t leave Manly much because everything is already here. You can live a full beach-town life without sacrificing study outcomes.
If you want to study in Sydney but avoid the pressure and price of the inner city, Manly is a great choice.
Can I work part-time while studying in Sydney?
Yes, and Sydney has one of the strongest job markets in the country for international students. In Manly specifically, there are lots of casual jobs in hospitality and tourism, especially in cafes, restaurants, surf shops, and hotels. Students also find work in retail and delivery services. Most students find work within a couple of minutes’ walk of the school, so it’s very easy to combine work and study.
Lexis Sydney runs a Job Workshop to help students with resumes, applications, and interview preparation. A lot of local employers know Lexis and regularly reach out when they’re hiring.
The ferry gives you access to jobs in the Sydney CBD as well, so you’re not limited to just Manly. Between local options and city work, most students who want to work part-time find something fairly quickly, especially if they’re flexible with hours and open to customer service roles.
How do I find accommodation in Manly?
Lexis Sydney offers homestay and student accommodation options to help you get settled. Homestays are good for younger students or those looking for a quieter environment with meals included. Student housing is usually shared with others from the school and located within walking distance of campus and beach.
Manly does have a competitive rental market, especially during summer, but students who start with Lexis accommodation and then look for share houses usually manage fine. Rooms are advertised on Flatmates.com.au, Facebook groups, and local noticeboards.
Expect to pay around $300 to $400 per week for a room in a share house, depending on location and season. The convenience of being near the beach and walking distance to school makes it worth it for many students, especially those here for the lifestyle as well as the learning.
