Adelaide University

Adelaide University (Template:Langx) is a planned public research university based in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 2024, it will combine the University of Adelaide, the third-oldest university in Australia, and the University of South Australia (UniSA) which has an antecedent history dating back to 1856. It is expected to operate concurrently with the two neighbouring universities during a transition period with the merged university formally opening in January 2026.

The two antecedent universities' histories date back to the former Royal South Australian Society of Arts. The University of Adelaide was founded in 1874 by the Union College with studies initially conducted at its Institute Building. The society was also the birthplace of the South Australian Institute of Technology founded in 1889 as the School of Mines and Industries. The institute later became the University of South Australia during the Dawkins Revolution following a merger with amalgamated colleges dating back to the School of Art, also founded at the society. The two universities, which account for approximately three-quarters of the state's public university population, agreed to merge as Adelaide University in mid-2023.

The university will inherit seven campuses including the combined flagship Adelaide City campus in North Terrace, a tech-oriented campus in Mawson Lakes, the Magill campus specialising in social sciences, the Waite campus in Urrbrae and three regional campuses in Roseworthy, Mount Gambier and Whyalla. Its academic activities are currently divided between the two universities, which had a combined revenue of A$1.85 billion in 2023. It will also manage several museums and exhibitions in a range of fields, including the Samstag Museum and Adelaide Planetarium. It has been invited to join the Group of Eight, an association of research-intensive universities in Australia, and will play roles in the Australian space and defence sectors.

Adelaide University alumni, which will include those of the two antecedent universities, include the first female prime minister of Australia, two presidents of Singapore, the first astronaut born in Australia and the first demonstrator of nuclear fusion. The two universities have also produced a combined 117 Rhodes scholars, 173 Fulbright scholars and three Nobel laureates. Its history involve the development of penicillin, space exploration, sunscreen, the military tank, Wi-Fi, polymer banknotes and X-ray crystallography, and the study of viticulture and oenology.

History

University of Adelaide

An illustration of the founders of the University of Adelaide from an 1875 engraving.

The founders of the University of Adelaide (1875 engraving)

The history of the University of Adelaide dates back to the Union College established in 1872 to provide education to aspiring Protestant ministers who were previously required to travel to the United Kingdom.<ref name="Sumerling 2006">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Hodder 2013">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="The South Australian Register 1886">Template:Cite web</ref> The college approached Scottish-born pastoralist Walter Watson Hughes with the proposal for a South Australian university with a request for endowment towards its creation.<ref name="The South Australian Advertiser 1872">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="The South Australian Register 1886" /><ref name="Hodder 2013" /> Following an agreement, a university association was established by the Union College on 23 September 1872 to manage the creation of the university.<ref name="Hodder 2013" /><ref name="The South Australian Advertiser 1872" /><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

This is a photograph of the Elder and Bonython Halls in 1936.

Elder Hall and Bonython Hall, its two great halls, in 1936

The University of Adelaide, which is named after its founding city namesake to Queen Adelaide, was formally established on 6 November 1874 following the passage of its founding legislation through the South Australian parliament.<ref name="University Act 1874">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The parliament also provided a 2 hectare (5 acre) land grant for a campus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its early benefactors, many of whom Scottish immigrants, made large donations to develop the university.<ref name="150th Anniversary Book">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Dutton 2014" /> The university has produced some of the Australia's earliest businesspeople, lawyers, medical professionals and politicians.<ref name="Sendziuk 2018">Template:Cite book</ref>

This is a photograph of students on horse cart taking part in the annual Prosh event IN 1905, poking fun at Nobel Prize laureates Bragg and Bragg. A poster reads "Do not Bragg about radium".

Students with satirical posters at the annual Prosh in 1905

It was founded with the backing of its first benefactor Walter Hughes and Thomas Elder, also a Scottish-born pastoralist and another founder of the university, who each donated £20,000 towards the association.<ref name="Dutton 2014">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref> The university initially occupied the South Australian Institute Building prior to the construction of the University Building which housed the entire campus at the time.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Elder also bequeathed an additional £65,000 in his will following his death in 1897 of which £20,000 were allocated to set up the Elder Conservatorium of Music.<ref name="Elder Hall Connect">Template:Cite web</ref> Other donors include William Mitchell and Robert Barr Smith, also from Scotland and early leaders of the university.<ref name="Gosse 1996">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Robert Barr Smith">Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a portrait of Queen Victoria whose royal charter allowed women to study at the university.

A royal charter grant by Queen Victoria allowed women to study at the University of Adelaide

The institution was the third of its kind on the Australian continent after the Universities of Sydney and Melbourne, which then educated solely men.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university, which allowed women to study alongside men since its commencement soon became the second university in the English-speaking world following the University of London in 1878 to formally admit women on equal terms as men in 1881.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Women's Education">Template:Cite web</ref> This was following a royal charter granted by Queen Victoria that year, which allowed for women to be conferred degrees.<ref name="Hodder 2013" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This has contributed to a number of firsts in the history of women's education in Australia.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Women's Education" />

Notable women include its first female graduate Edith Emily Dornwell who concurrently became the first person in Australia to receive the degree of Bachelor of Science in 1885.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university also graduated Australia's first female surgeon Laura Margaret Fowler in 1891.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref> Ruby Claudia Davy was the first Australian woman to receive a doctorate in music in 1918.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other notable firsts also include Winifred Kiek, Margaret Reid and Janine Haines.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 1914, the university was also the first to elect a woman, Helen Mayo, to a university council in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is also the alma mater of Roma Mitchell who was Australia's first female judge, the first woman to be a Queen's Counsel, a chancellor of an Australian university and the governor of an Australian state.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Australia's first female prime minister Julia Gillard had also studied at the university and the first Aboriginal Rhodes Scholar Rebecca Richards in 2010.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

This is a photograph of the Roseworthy Agricultural College established in 1883.

The Roseworthy Agricultural College established in 1883

In 1991, it formally opened two additional campuses in Greater Adelaide outside of the city centre.<ref name="Waite Institute Connect">Template:Cite web</ref> These included the Waite and Roseworthy campuses, though the university operated at the Waite site since at least 1924 as the Waite Agricultural Research Institute.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Waite Institute Connect" /> The Roseworthy campus was the former Roseworthy Agricultural College which, although affiliated with the university since 1905, was an independent institution prior to their merger.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, the university previously operated research facilities across Template:Convert in Thebarton approximately Template:Convert north of the campus until 2020.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

University of South Australia

This is a photograph of the now-demolished Jubilee Exhibition Building in 1885.

The now-demolished Jubilee Exhibition Building in 1885

The SA School of Art, the earliest antecedent institution of the University of South Australia, was established in 1856 at the former Royal South Australian Society of Arts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Mixed Antecedent History">Template:Cite web</ref> The independent art school, which went through many name changes, resided for most of its history at the Jubilee Exhibition Building which was later transferred to the University of Adelaide in 1929.<ref name="Adelaide AZ School of Art" /><ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /><ref name="Adelaide City Heritage 2017">Template:Cite web</ref> It remained on the campus until 1962 when the building was demolished to make way for several university buildings.<ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /><ref name="Adelaide AZ Jubilee Building">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a 1903 photograph of the Brookman Building, the ancestral home of the University of South Australia, shortly following its construction.

Brookman Building (1903) is the ancestral home of the University of South Australia

The Jubilee Exhibition Building was also the birthplace of the South Australian Institute of Technology which was established in 1889 as the SA School of Mines and Industries.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Jubilee Building" /><ref name="Adelaide AZ SAIT">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It moved to the neighbouring Brookman Building in 1903, named after the Scottish-born businessman George Brookman who contributed £15,000 towards its construction.<ref name="The Advertiser 1902">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Elton Brookman Building">Template:Cite web</ref> The institute maintained strong ties with the neighbouring University of Adelaide that included the co-ordination of teaching, laboratories and examinations across fields of engineering and sciences.<ref name="SAIT Connect">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="SAIT">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Harvey 2012">Template:Cite book</ref> Despite the university later establishing its own faculty of engineering in 1937, the reciprocal relationship remained intertwined to the University Council and studies completed at the institute were recognised as equivalent studies eligible for credit towards university courses.<ref name="SAIT Connect" /><ref name="SAIT" /><ref name="Edgar 2000">Template:Citation</ref><ref name="Engineering Faculty">Template:Cite web</ref> The institute later expanded to the regional city of Whyalla in 1962 and to the Adelaide suburb of Mawson Lakes in 1972 as The Levels.<ref name="Adelaide AZ SAIT" /><ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /><ref name="Edgar 2000" /> In 1965, it was designated an advanced college which initiated an expansion in the variety of courses available.<ref name="UniSA Milestones">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Adelaide Teachers College, which changed names and shifted locations multiple times throughout its existence, was established in 1876.<ref name="Hernen 2020" /><ref name="Adelaide Teachers College" /> Despite not being located at the University of Adelaide campus until 1900, students from the institution attended university lectures since at least 1878.<ref name="Hernen 2020" /><ref name="Adelaide Teachers College" /> In 1921, it renamed to the Adelaide Teachers College, in line with other interstate teachers colleges.<ref name="Hernen 2020" /><ref name="Adelaide Teachers College" /> Despite offers from the university to take control of the college, which was heavily integrated into the university, the Education Department retained administrative authority throughout its early history.<ref name="Hernen 2020" /><ref name="Adelaide Teachers College">Template:Cite web</ref> The Hartley Building was built as its permanent home in 1927.<ref name="Hernen 2020" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Adelaide Teachers College" />

This map shows the university and the locations of its neighbouring institutions in 1926.

State of the university and its surrounding institutions in 1926

The college eventually renamed to the Adelaide College of the Arts and Education.<ref name="Hernen 2020">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Harvey 2012" /> It also established additional teachers colleges in other parts of the city including Magill.<ref name="Hernen 2020" /><ref name="Adelaide AZ SACAE">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /> Following a series of mergers,<ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Adelaide AZ SACAE" /> the colleges expanded to become advanced colleges which all later amalgamated with the original mother college to become the South Australian College of Advanced Education in 1982.<ref name="Hernen 2020" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The combined institution continued its presence alongside the University of Adelaide with which it maintained joint teaching, facilities and committees.<ref name="Harvey 2012" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="UniSA Awarding Bodies">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Hernen 2020" /> The campus merged with the university in 1991.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Adelaide AZ School of Art">Template:Cite web</ref>

Stronger demand for advanced college places throughout the country resulted from a broadening appeal of higher education beyond the traditionally elite education provided by the universities.<ref name="Wesley 2023">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref name="Skuja 1997">Template:Cite web</ref> Advanced colleges were originally designed to complement universities, forming a binary system modelled on that of the United Kingdom.<ref name="Skuja 1997" /><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Mahony 1994">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Mahony 1993">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Beddie 2014">Template:Cite web</ref> It was originally created by the Menzies government following World War II on the advice of a committee led by physicist Leslie H. Martin, during a period of high population growth and corresponding demand for secondary and tertiary education.<ref name="Wesley 2023" /><ref name="Beddie 2014" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Abbott 2003">Template:Cite web</ref> This sector ceased to exist when, between 1989 and 1992, the Hawke-Keating government implemented the sweeping reforms of Education Minister John Dawkins that dismantled the binary system.<ref name="Skuja 1997" /><ref name="Beddie 2014" /><ref name="Department of Education 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> The states, eager for increased education funding, merged the colleges either with existing universities or with each other to form new universities.<ref name="Skuja 1997" /><ref name="Mahony 1994" /><ref name="Mahony 1993" /><ref name="Beddie 2014" /><ref name="Abbott 2003" /><ref name="AVCC 2004">Template:Cite web</ref> Following its expansion and increasing autonomy from the university, the South Australian Institute of Technology was given the option to merge with either TAFE South Australia or the South Australian College of Advanced Education.<ref name="Adelaide AZ School of Art" /><ref name="SAIT Connect" /><ref name="SAIT" /> It chose to merge with the latter advanced college resulting in the establishment of the University of South Australia, which continues to remain neighbours with the University of Adelaide.<ref name="Adelaide AZ School of Art" /><ref name="AVCC 2004" /><ref name="UniSA City East">Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of the Hawke Building, which is the chancellery of the University of South Australia on the west end.

The Hawke Building is the chancellery of the University of South Australia on the west end

The University of South Australia became the state's third public university, a continuation of the former South Australian Institute of Technology that merged with most of the SACAE, and maintained their historical presence next to the University of Adelaide, in the suburbs of Mawson Lakes and Magill and in the regional city of Whyalla.<ref name="Sumerling 2006" /><ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /><ref name="Mackinnon 2016">Template:Cite book</ref> Its expansion over the next few decades, including to sites on the west end of North Terrace, and broadening fields of studies contributed to its status as the state's largest university by student population.<ref name="Sumerling 2006" /><ref name="Mackinnon 2016" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It also became the second-largest university nationally by number of online students, either in the state or from other parts of the country, and expanded to Mount Gambier in 2005.<ref name="Department of Education 2023" /><ref name="Watkinson 2010">Template:Cite web</ref>

Merger progression

University of Adelaide Adelaide Medical School (left) and University of South Australia City West (right)

University of Adelaide Adelaide Medical School (left) and University of South Australia City West (right)

In June 2018, the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia began discussions regarding the possibility of a merger. The proposition was dubbed a "super uni" by then South Australian premier, Steven Marshall, and Simon Birmingham,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> but the merger was called off in October 2018 by the University of South Australia, which was less keen.<ref name="ABC News 2018">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Siebert 2021" /> Vice-chancellor David Lloyd, in an email to University of South Australia staff, claimed that the amalgamation lacked a compelling case. This statement was contradicted by the University of Adelaide's chancellor who said that the merger continues to be in the state's best interests and a spokesperson for the university added that it was still open to future talks.<ref name="Siebert 2020">Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Richards 2022" /><ref name="Siebert 2021" /> Following the release of several internal FOI documents retrieved by ABC News, it was later revealed that the merger talks failed due to disagreements on the post-merger institution's leadership structure.<ref name="Siebert 2021" /> The name Adelaide University of South Australia was agreed upon by both universities and Chris Schacht, who previously served on the University of Adelaide Council, alleged that the merger talks failed due to disagreement on which vice-chancellor would replace the other following their amalgamation.<ref name="Siebert 2021">Template:Cite news</ref>

This is a photograph of the Brookman Building of the University of South Australia through which both universities have had an intertwined history.

The University of South Australia's Brookman Building adjacent to Bonython Hall

In early 2022, the topic of a merger was raised again by the new state government led by premier Peter Malinauskas, which proposed setting up an independent commission to investigate the possibility of a merger between the state's three public universities should they decline.<ref name="Siebert 2020" /><ref name="Kelsall 2023 Headlock">Template:Cite web</ref> He had made an election promise to take a heavy-handed approach towards the merger to reduce students departing to higher-ranking institutions on the east coast and to improve the state's ability to attract international students and researchers.<ref name="Kelsall 2023 Headlock" /><ref name="Siebert 2020" /> At the time, staff's opinions were evenly divided on the idea of the commission.<ref name="Richards 2022">Template:Cite web</ref> Following the appointment of merger advocate Peter Høj as University of Adelaide vice-chancellor, both universities announced that a merger would once again be considered.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="ABC News 2022" /> The universities began a feasibility study into a potential merger at the end of the year.<ref name="ABC News 2022">Template:Cite news</ref> The invitation to merger negotiations was rejected by Flinders University, the state's third public university.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of two neighbouring buildings, each belonging to the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide respectively.

The University of Adelaide (right) is set to merge with the University of South Australia (left) by 1 January 2026

The agreement for the merger was reached on 1 July 2023 by the two universities, which then accounted for approximately two-thirds of the state's public university population, in consultation with the South Australian Government.<ref name="Richards 2023 Merger Agreement">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="UniSA Annual Review 2023">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The rationale for the amalgamation was a larger institutional scale may be needed in order to increase the universities' ranking positions, ability to secure future research income and a net positive impact on the state economy.<ref name="McClaren 2023">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The two universities argued that by combining their expertise, resources and finances into a single institution, they can be more financially viable, with stronger teaching and research outcomes.<ref name="Richards 2023 Merger Deal" /> Support for the merger among existing staff were mixed, with a National Tertiary Education Union SA survey showing that only a quarter were in favour of the amalgamation.<ref name="Kelsall 2023 Staff Reactions">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Richards 2023 Merger Agreement" /> Warren Bebbington, who previously served as vice-chancellor at the University of Adelaide, described the proposed institution as a "lumbering dinosaur" in reference to its timing during an ongoing federal review of the higher education sector.<ref name="McClaren 2023" /> Vice-chancellor Colin Stirling described plans to provide the new institution with Template:AUD in research funding and scholarships as "unfair" to students who choose to study at Flinders University.<ref name="McClaren 2023" /> The combined figure was later revised to Template:AUD to include land purchases, with an additional Template:AUD research fund set up for Flinders University.<ref name="InDaily 2023" />

File:Bonython Hall, Adelaide by Paul Weston (cropped).jpg

Bonython Hall adjacent to the University of South Australia's Brookman Building

In November 2023, legislation passed state parliament enabling the creation of the new university to be named Adelaide University, previously a colloquial name used by the University of Adelaide.<ref name="InDaily 2023">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Colloquial Name">Template:Cite web</ref> An application for self-accreditation authority was submitted to the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) on 15 January 2024, which was needed for the institution to offer courses that issue qualifications.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Following approval on 22 May 2024, students starting studies at the pre-merger institutions from 2025 onwards will be issued degree certificates from Adelaide University.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Merger FAQs">Template:Cite web</ref> Students enrolled on or prior to 2024 will also be able to opt in adding antecedent institutions' names and logos on their parchments.<ref name="Merger FAQs" /> The combined institution is expected to become operational by January 2026, with an additional transitional period extending to 2034.<ref name="Richards 2023 Merger Deal">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is projected to have 70,000 students at launch, with one-in-four students being international students, and contribute approximately Template:AUD to the Australian economy annually.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The amalgamation has been subject to mixed reactions.

On 18 July 2025, the university was assigned the Kaurna name Tirkangkaku, which means "place of learning". The name was chosen selected by elder Uncle Lewis Yarlupurka O'Brien in consultation with Aboriginal staff and UniSA's Purkarninthi Elders in Residence.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Campuses and buildings

The university will inherit seven campuses in South Australia, including its flagship Adelaide City campus.<ref name="Campuses">Template:Cite web</ref> There include:

Adelaide City

This is a photograph of the Mitchell Building built in 1882, the oldest building on campus.

The Mitchell Building was completed in 1882 and is the oldest building on campus

The Adelaide city campus will combine four adjacent campuses located across North Terrace,<ref name="Adelaide City Campus" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="UniSA City East" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> one of four terraces bounding the Adelaide city centre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On the east end of the terrace, the campus will be co-located with the historical Royal South Australian Society of Arts which included the Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum and the State Library of South Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Built in the Gothic Revival architecture style in 1882, the Mitchell Building is the oldest building on the campus.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was called the University Building until 1961 when it was renamed after William Mitchell.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Brookman Building, constructed in 1903 and named after its benefactor George Brookman, formed part of the original School of Mines and Industries later renamed to the South Australian Institute of Technology.<ref name="The Advertiser 1902" /><ref name="Elton Brookman Building" /><ref name="Adelaide City Campus">Template:Cite web</ref> It was inherited by the University of South Australia, which later expanded to the west end of the terrace.<ref name="Sumerling 2006" /><ref name="Mackinnon 2016" />

This is a photograph of the interior of Bonython Hall, a venue for graduations and other events, during a public forum on nuclear energy.

The interior of Bonython Hall, used for graduations, during a forum on nuclear energy

Bonython Hall, a great hall of the university, was built in 1936 following a donation of over £50,000 from the owner of The Advertiser newspaper, John Langdon Bonython, who was inspired following his visit to the Great Hall of the University of Sydney.<ref name="Elton Bonython Hall">Template:Cite web</ref> The hall, which has been used during graduation ceremonies among other events, was designed by architect Louis Laybourne-Smith based on medieval great halls in a Gothic Revival architecture style inspired by the ancient universities in Europe.<ref name="Elton Bonython Hall" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In between it and the Mitchell Building, which both face the terrace, is the Elder Hall which is its oldest great hall on the site.<ref name="Adelaide Campus Map">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is a large concert hall that is used by the Elder Conservatorium of Music among others and, along with Bonython Hall, both feature large organs.<ref name="Elder Concert Series">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Elton Elder Hall">Template:Cite web</ref>

The campus also includes other venues including the Scott Theatre, Little Theatre and the College Green. The Scott Theatre is the largest lecture theatre on site and is often hired out for performances of various kinds such as the Adelaide Fringe events.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Scott Theatre Connect">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It features two revolving stages and a seating capacity of 635 people.<ref name="Scott Theatre Connect" /> The Little Theatre is located in the Cloisters and is primarily used for dramatic performances by the Theatre Guild.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The College Green stretches from the Cloisters across the lawns down to Victoria Drive, next to the River Torrens.<ref name="Adelaide Campus Map" /><ref name="Von Einem 2020">Template:Cite web</ref> It hosts various social events throughout the year including parties, live bands, DJs and open-air cinema among others.<ref name="Von Einem 2020" /><ref name="Broadsheet" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was created in response to the impact of social distancing restrictions owing to the COVID-19 pandemic in Australia, which hit many live music venues.<ref name="Broadsheet">Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of the Barr Smith Library.

The Barr Smith Library on the main Adelaide campus

The Barr Smith Library is the largest library on the site and is notable for its opulent reading room.<ref name="Libraries Hours">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Francis 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> The Napier and Ligertwood Buildings were built following the demolition of the Jubilee Exhibition Building in 1962.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Adelaide City Heritage 2017"/> They are named after Mellis Napier and George Ligertwood who were both former chancellors.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref> Some other notable buildings on the east end of the campus include the Ingkarni Wardli Building, Darling Building, Hartley Building, Mawson Building, Playford Building, Basil Hetzel Building, Bonython Jubilee Building, Centenary Building and the Helen Mayo North and South Buildings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="UniSA City East" /><ref name="Adelaide Campus Map" /> The Template:AUD Braggs Building, named after two Nobel laureates associated with the university, was built in 2013 and features a large number of cross-disciplinary scientific research facilities.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Adelaide University Footbridge was constructed in 1937 following a decade of delays during the Great Depression.<ref name="City Explorer Footbridge">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The footbridge, which crosses the River Torrens, features cast iron balustrading that is a popular location for love locks.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="City Explorer Footbridge" />

This is a photograph of the Cloisters that form part of the Adelaide University Union redevelopment that connect the Union buildings with the surrounding buildings.

The Cloisters are a war memorial to University of Adelaide members who served and died during World War I

The Adelaide University Union redevelopment, also known as Union Buildings or Union Building Group, was completed in stages between 1967 and 1975.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It created some of the most significant buildings in the complex.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The redevelopment was designed by lead architect Robert Dickson and includes a heritage-listed group of buildings including the Union House, the Lady Symon Building named after the wife of Josiah Symon, the George Murray Building, the Cloisters and the Western Annexe.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Union Buildings Heritage 2002">Template:Cite web</ref> The earlier Georgian-style buildings were designed by the architects Woods, Bagot, Jory and Laybourne-Smith who also designed Bonython Hall, the Mitchell Gates, the Johnson Laboratories, the Barr Smith Library and the Benham Laboratories.<ref name="Union Buildings Heritage 2002" /> The Adelaide University Union Cloisters were built in 1929 as a war memorial to the 470 University of Adelaide members who served during World War I, of which 64 had died during the war.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Larsen 2016">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> There are three plaques on the site, with the latest added in 2015 to mark the centenary of the Gallipoli landing.<ref name="Larsen 2016" />

This is a photograph of the National Wine Centre of Australia on North Terrace.

The National Wine Centre of Australia on North Terrace

The campus also incorporates part of the adjacent Lot Fourteen precinct, that is also home to the national headquarters of the Australian Space Agency among other institutions in the fields of science and technology.<ref name="Adelaide City Campus" /><ref name="Australian Space Agency">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As part of the merger, its presence in the area will be expanded with the Australian Defence Technologies Academy to be located in the under-construction Innovation Centre, also to be home to the Space Assembly Integration and Testing Facility.<ref name="Dare 2024">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="WE ARE.SA 2024">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Hunter 2024" /> The National Wine Centre further along of the terrace and adjacent to the Adelaide Botanic Garden forms the easternmost extent of the city campus.<ref name="Adelaide City Campus" />

This is a photograph of the Bradley Building, named after Denise Bradley, that is part of the Adelaide BioMed City research precinct.

The Bradley Building, named after Denise Bradley, is part of the Adelaide BioMed City

Although both universities had a major presence in the east end, its sites on the west end are primarily occupied by the University of South Australia with the exception of the Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building.<ref name="Adelaide Campus Map" /><ref name="UniSA City East" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As the university had expanded to the west over several decades following its establishment, the buildings on the site are considerably newer than on the east.<ref name="Sumerling 2006" /><ref name="Mackinnon 2016" /> The Bradley Building and the Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building, which are home to various clinical and simulation facilities in the fields of healthcare and medicine,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Lyons">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="AECOM">Template:Cite web</ref> form part of the Adelaide BioMed City Precinct which also includes the affiliated Royal Adelaide Hospital and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute.<ref name="Adelaide BioMed City" />

This is a photograph of the Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building.

The Adelaide Health and Medical Sciences Building

The Jeffrey Smart Building, named after artist Jeffrey Smart, was constructed in 2014.<ref name="UniSA 2014">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="UniSA Jeffrey Smart">Template:Cite web</ref> It is a student hub that comprises "open plan" teaching and learning spaces, the main library on the east end and a central green common area with an outdoor cinema.<ref name="Phelps 2014">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Architecture Australia 2015">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Wilson Architects">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Wardle">Template:Cite web</ref> The adjacent Hawke Building is named after former prime minister Bob Hawke and was constructed in 2007.<ref name="UniSA City West">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is home to the Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre, Kerry Packer Civic Gallery, Samstag Museum, the Allan Scott Auditorium with a seating capacity of 400 seats and the Bradley Forum with 150 seats.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="National Precest 2015">Template:Cite web</ref>

This is the photograph of the Jeffrey Smart Building which includes staff and student spaces and the east end library.

The Jeffrey Smart Building includes staff and student spaces and the east end library

Pridham Hall is a gymnasium and multi-sport facility constructed in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was designed as a collaboration between Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta, JPE Design Studio and JamFactory.<ref name="van Es 2019" /> It features a Template:Convert heated swimming pool, gymnasium, dance studio, a sloping roof amphitheatre and a Template:Convert convertible great hall that can be used for both sports or hosting events with up to 2,000 attendees.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="van Es 2019">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was funded largely by alumni, including its namesake Andrew Pridham and his family who donated Template:AUD toward its construction.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Other buildings on the east end include the Kaurna Building, Barbara Hanrahan Building, Yungondi Building, Lewis O'Brien Building, Elton Mayo Building, David Pank Building, Catherine Helen Spence Building, Dorrit Black Building, Way Lee Building, Sir George Kingston Building, Sir Hans Heysen Building, Rowland Rees Building, Liverpool Street Studios and the Enterprise Hub.<ref name="UniSA City West" />

Magill

This is a photograph of the heritage-listed Murray House and surrounding parklands on the Magill campus.

The Magill campus includes the heritage-listed Murray House and surrounding parklands

The Magill campus was established in 1973 and is located on St Bernards Road in the eastern Adelaide suburb of Magill.<ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The campus specialises in the social sciences, psychology, neuroscience, teacher education, sports science, journalism, creative industries, human services, social work, media and communication.<ref name="UniSA Study in 2025">Template:Cite web</ref> It also hosts several media studios, research laboratories, health clinics, a Samsung SMARTSchool and the de Lissa Institute of Early Childhood and Family Studies named after Montessori education pioneer Lillian Daphne de Lissa.<ref name="UniSA Study in 2025" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The parkland campus includes the heritage-listed Murray House, named after Scottish-born pastoralist Alexander Borthwick Murray.<ref name="Swanbury Penglase 2001">Template:Cite web</ref> Built in 1884 and later expanded, the stone building incorporates Victorian-era Italianate and Gothic Revival architecture styles.<ref name="Swanbury Penglase 2001" /> According to legend, a blonde girl or young woman in Victorian-era attire named May supposedly haunts the manor, scaring patrons from the balcony or stairways.<ref name="UniSA 101 Things">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Ghosts of Campbelltown">Template:Cite web</ref> The urban myth, one of many supposed Ghosts of Murray Park, are akin to the white lady phenomenon in other parts of the world.<ref name="UniSA 101 Things" /><ref name="Ghosts of Campbelltown" /> The house replaced an earlier home built in 1854.<ref name="Ghosts of Campbelltown" />

As part of the merger, the entirety of the University of South Australia campus has been sold for housing and commercial re-development.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI" /> Approximately half of the campus is currently leased back to the university for a period of up to 10 years.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI" /><ref name="Mawson Lakes Campus" />

Mawson Lakes

This is a photograph of Building X on the Mawson Lakes campus which is adjacent to Technology Park Adelaide.

Building X on the Mawson Lakes campus adjacent to Technology Park Adelaide

The Mawson Lakes campus, established in 1972 as The Levels, is located in the northern Adelaide suburb of Mawson Lakes along Template:Convert of wetlands.<ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /><ref name="Mawson Lakes Campus">Template:Cite web</ref> It specialises in fields of science, engineering, computer science, environmental sciences, civil aviation and teacher education.<ref name="Mixed Antecedent History" /><ref name="UniSA Study in 2025" /> It is also home to the Adelaide Planetarium and several information technology and engineering laboratories, including a defence research lab and the Future Industries Institute.<ref name="Mawson Lakes Campus" /><ref name="UniSA Study in 2025" /> The campus also has Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 flight and airport simulators and offers pilot training through its aviation academy at the nearby Parafield Airport.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="UniSA Study in 2025" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

It is also neighbours with the Adelaide Technology Park which is home to the Australian offices of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Saab among other multinational companies in the space and defence technology sectors.<ref name="Mawson Lakes Campus" /><ref name="Adelaide Technology Park" />

As part of the merger, more than half of the campus has been sold for housing and commercial development.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI" /><ref name="Mawson Lakes Campus" /> It is one of two campuses belonging to the University of South Australia where land was sold.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI" />

Waite

This is a photograph of the main building at the Waite campus, which is home to the Waite Research Institute.

The Waite campus is home to the Waite Research Institute

The Waite campus specialises in agricultural science, viticulture, oenology, plant breeding, food research and biotechnology.<ref name="Waite Campus">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Waite Research">Template:Cite web</ref> It is located in the suburb of Urrbrae in Adelaide's eastern foothills, adjacent to the Urrbrae Agricultural High School, on Template:Convert of which a large amount was donated through the will of Scottish-born pastoralist Peter Waite.<ref name="South Australian Heritage Council 2013">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Gardner 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> Approximately half of the land donated was dedicated for studies in agriculture and the remainder as a public park.<ref name="Gardner 2023" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Waite Research Precinct is home to several research centres.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Waite Agricultural Research Institute was established in 1924.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="About The Waite">Template:Cite web</ref> Its first director was Arnold E. V. Richardson.<ref name="Gardner 2023" /> Later renamed to the Waite Research Institute, it produces approximately 70% of Australia's research output in viticulture and oenology and around 80% of cereal varieties used in southern Australia were created there.<ref name="Waite Research" /><ref name="Waite Plant Breeding">Template:Cite web</ref> A Soil Research Centre was founded in 1929 with a donation of £10,000 from Harold Darling of J. Darling and Son, grain merchants.<ref name="The Advertiser 1929">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2004, State Premier Mike Rann opened the A$9.2 million Plant Genomics Centre at the campus.<ref name="Adelaidean 2004">Template:Cite web</ref> In 2010, he opened The Plant Accelerator, a A$30 million research facility which is the largest and most advanced of its kind in the world.<ref name="The University of Adelaide 2010">Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of "The Plant Accelerator" on the Waite campus in Urrbrae, a plant phenotyping facility.

The Plant Accelerator is a plant phenotyping facility

A number of other organisations are co-located in the precinct including the South Australian Research and Development Institute (or SARDI, part of Primary Industries and Regions SA which is also headquartered at the campus), Australian Grain Technologies, Australian Wine Research Institute and the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Urrbrae House built in 1891, now a museum, served as the home of Peter and Matilda Waite who purchased the land with support from Thomas Elder.<ref name="Urrbrae House History">Template:Cite web</ref> Its interior is designed by Aldam Heaton & Co, who was also responsible for designing interiors for the Titanic.<ref name="Urrbrae House History" /> The campus is also home to the Waite Arboretum and Conservation Reserve.<ref name="Gardner 2023" /> The Waite Arboretum is a tree museum which is home to over 2,500 tree specimens<ref name="Waite Campus" /> from over 1,000 taxa, many of which are endangered in the wild.<ref name="Waite History Spaces">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Gardner 2023" /><ref name="Gardner">Template:Cite web</ref> The Waite Conservation Reserve, also co-located on the campus, is home to native plants and wildlife.<ref name="Waite History Spaces" /><ref name="Gardner 2023" /><ref name="Friends of Waite Conservation Reserve">Template:Cite web</ref>

Roseworthy

This is a photograph of the main building on the Roseworthy campus which was built in 1883 and now serves as a student hub.

The Roseworthy College Hall, built in 1884, is a student hub

Located north of the city, the Roseworthy campus comprises Template:Convert of farmland and is a large centre for agricultural research and veterinary sciences.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was the site of the former Roseworthy Agricultural College which was established in 1883 as the first agricultural college in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Elder" /> The Roseworthy College Hall, now the student hub, is the main building on the campus and was built in 1884.<ref name="Roseworthy Hall Connect" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its clock tower features a Swiss precision clock that is synced via GPS with Greenwich Mean Time.<ref name="Roseworthy Hall Connect">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Elder" /> The clock tower was missing a clock for more than 120 years until 2003, when the mechanism was finally added following a donation.<ref name="Roseworthy Hall Connect" /><ref name="Elder" /> The colleges' teaching and research in oenology and viticulture were transferred to the Waite campus, along with the bulk of its work in plant breeding.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Wine Industry Cluster">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Before studies in oenology were transferred to the Waite campus, the college had produced a number of highly regarded and awarded winemakers and wine critics.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Wine Industry Cluster" /><ref>Template:Cite book</ref>

Following the merger, the campus expanded its focus in dryland agriculture, natural resource management and animal production by the mid-1990s.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Roseworthy College">Template:Cite web</ref> The campus is also now home to South Australia's first veterinary science training program, which commenced in 2008.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Roseworthy College" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The Veterinary Science Centre houses teaching facilities including a surgical skills suite, a public veterinary clinic offering general practice as well as emergency and specialist veterinary services for pet animals.<ref name="Veterinary Hospital">Template:Cite web</ref> There are also specialised pathology laboratories at the centre for teaching, research and diagnostics.<ref name="Veterinary Hospital" /> In 2013, the veterinary science facilities were expanded with the opening of the Equine Health and Performance Centre, a specialised facility for equine surgery, internal medicine, sports medicine and reproduction.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Roseworthy College" />

This is a photograph of the Roseworthy Memorial Chapel, which was built to memorialise fallen soldiers from the college.

The Roseworthy Memorial Chapel was built to memorialise fallen soldiers from the college

The Memorial Chapel is a notable building on the Roseworthy campus.<ref name="Memorial Chapel Connect">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Elder">Template:Cite web</ref> It was built in 1955 to memorialise students from the former college who died during World War I, World War II and the Boer Wars.<ref name="Memorial Chapel Connect" /><ref name="Elder" /><ref name="Memorial Hall Heritage Survey 2004">Template:Cite web</ref> The entrance features a limestone statue of a young soldier "discarding his uniform in readiness to return to the land".<ref name="Memorial Chapel Connect" /> The organ of the chapel was donated by the mother of a student that died in New Guinea during World War II.<ref name="Memorial Chapel Connect" /> There is a time capsule from 1976 located near the chapel.<ref name="Memorial Chapel Connect" /> It is expected to be opened in 2026.<ref name="Memorial Chapel Connect" />

In 2021, the Template:AUD Roseworthy Solar and Energy Storage Project was opened on the campus. It included a solar farm with an output of 1.2MW with a 420/1200kWh hybrid battery.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its 3,200 solar panels are estimated to produce 42% of the campus' energy requirements.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Whyalla

The Whyalla campus was established in 1962 and is the largest regional campus in South Australia.<ref name="Whyalla Campus">Template:Cite web</ref> Located in city of Whyalla in the Eyre Peninsula, it is set on Template:Convert and offers studies in teacher education, nursing, midwifery, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, social work and human services.<ref name="Whyalla Campus" /><ref name="UniSA Study in 2025" />

Mount Gambier

Based in the Limestone Coast, the Mount Gambier campus was established in 2005 and offers studies in commerce, teacher education, nursing, midwifery, social work and human services.<ref name="Mount Gambier Campus">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Watkinson 2010" /><ref name="UniSA Study in 2025" /> It is located in Mount Gambier, the largest regional city in South Australia.<ref name="Mount Gambier Campus" /> The campus also conducts research on forest management.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Governance and structure

The university is currently governed by the Adelaide University Transition Council established by the Joint Committee.<ref name="Governance">Template:Cite web</ref> It established the Transitional Academic Board, which will be responsible for academic operations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Colleges and schools

Template:As of, research and teaching is divided between the two foundation universities. The University of Adelaide has three faculties divided into 25 constituent schools and the University of South Australia is divided into seven academic units.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The establishment of faculties and academic departments of the merged Adelaide University will formally be the responsibility of its University Council.<ref name="Adelaide University Act 2023" />

Adelaide University plans to be organised into six colleges, each with various discipline-based schools:<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

University Council

The main governing body of the institution will be its Council.<ref name="Adelaide University Act 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> It will be the executive committee responsible for managing operations, setting policies and appointing the chancellor and vice-chancellor.<ref name="Adelaide University Act 2023" /> The Council will comprise: the chancellor, vice-chancellor, a member of the academic staff, a member of the professional staff, an undergraduate student, a postgraduate student, at least one member with a commercial background, two members with prior experience in financial management and other members appointed by the selection committee.<ref name="Adelaide University Act 2023" /> The selection committee, which will comprise the chancellor and six other appointed members, can appoint members to the Council to serve for between 2 and 4 years.<ref name="Adelaide University Act 2023" /> This excludes elected staff and student members, which have a term limit of 2 years.<ref name="Adelaide University Act 2023" />

This is a photograph of the Jeffrey Smart Building.

The Jeffrey Smart Building

Chancellor and vice-chancellor

The chancellor of the university is a limitless term position that is mainly ceremonial and is held by former University of South Australia chancellor Pauline Carr, who was succeeded by John Hill at the latter office in May 2024.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Carr was appointed by the Transition Council.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The university's internal governance is carried out by its Council.<ref name="Adelaide University Act 2023"/>

The vice-chancellor serves as the university's de facto principal administrative officer.<ref name="Adelaide University Act 2023" /> The co-vice-chancellors during the transition are biochemists Peter Høj and David Lloyd,<ref name="Governance" /> who are concurrently vice-chancellors of the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia respectively.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The next vice-chancellor of Adelaide University, Nicola Phillips, is expected to commence her term on 12 January 2026.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The decision by the Council to select Phillips was universal and she has had over 30 years of experience in the higher education sector in Australia and the UK, including senior leadership roles at King's College London, the University of Sheffield and the University of Manchester.<ref name="Gilchrist 2025">Template:Cite web</ref> Prior to her appointment, she had been provost at the University of Melbourne, where she is also a professor of political economy.<ref name="Gilchrist 2025" />

Finances

In 2023, the two antecedent universities had a combined revenue of Template:AUD (2022 – Template:AUD), a combined expenditure of Template:AUD (2022 – Template:AUD) and combined net assets of Template:AUD (2022 – Template:AUD).<ref name="UniSA Annual Review 2023" /><ref name="2023 Annual Report">Template:Cite web</ref>

Academic profile

This is a photograph of the Australian Institute for Machine Learning next to the Australian Space Agency headquarters in Lot Fourteen.

The Australian Institute for Machine Learning next to the Australian Space Agency HQ

Adelaide University has been invited to become a member of the Group of Eight, a coalition of research-led Australian universities.<ref name="Savage 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> The university is expected to continue its presence in the Adelaide BioMed City research precinct and remain in Lot Fourteen next to the Australian Space Agency headquarters.<ref name="Adelaide BioMed City">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Adelaide City Campus" /> As part of the merger, the Australian Defence Technologies Academy will also be opened in Lot Fourteen in the under-construction Innovation Centre, also to be home to the Space Assembly Integration and Testing Facility.<ref name="Dare 2024" /><ref name="Premier 2024">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="WE ARE.SA 2024" /> In 2024, BAE Systems announced that it will establish its Australian headquarters at the centre.<ref name="WE ARE.SA 2024" /><ref name="Hunter 2024">Template:Cite web</ref>

The Mawson Lakes campus will also be adjacent to the Adelaide Technology Park which is home to the Australian offices of Lockheed Martin, Raytheon, Northrop Grumman, General Dynamics, Saab among other multinational companies in the space and defence technology sectors.<ref name="Adelaide Technology Park">Template:Cite web</ref>

The antecedent universities also offers some degree programs in Brisbane, Singapore and Hong Kong as part of a joint ventures with local institutions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Academic reputation

In the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2025), the university attained a tied position of #82 (8th nationally).<ref name="QS Rankings">Template:Cite web</ref>

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 (published 2025), the university attained a position of #133 (7th nationally).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of a South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute building in North Terrace.

South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute

Research and publications

In the 2018 ERA National Report, the Australian Research Council evaluated work produced between 2014 and 2018.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 100 per cent of research activity at both antecedent universities were judged to be "at or above world standard" (3–5*).<ref name="Research Performance">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Admissions process

Students starting studies at the two universities from 2025 onwards will be issued degree certificates from Adelaide University with alumni and continuing students having the option to add antecedent institutions' names and logos on their parchments.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of the entrance to Bonython Hall.

An entrance to Bonython Hall

The admissions process for entry into the two universities is managed by the South Australian Tertiary Admissions Centre.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="SATAC Explained">Template:Cite web</ref> Established in 1977, it is the main administrative body processing applications for tertiary institutions in South Australia and the Northern Territory.<ref name="SATAC Explained" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> International students can also apply directly to the university for the 2026 academic year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Qualifications that can be used for consideration include Australian and New Zealand high school certificates or international equivalent, a Grade Point Average from prior higher education, TAFE and other RTO qualifications, competitive scores from a Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test and prior work experience or military service with the Australian Defence Force.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Some courses have additional pre-requisites.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Additionally, the University of Adelaide College, South Australian Institute of Business and Technology, Eynesbury College, the English Language Centre and TAFE South Australia offer pathways into university programs.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Tuition, loans and financial aid

For international students starting in 2026, tuition fees range from Template:AUD to Template:AUD per academic year depending on the field of study.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Domestic studentsTemplate:Efn may be offered a federally-subsidised Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) which substantially decreases the student contribution amount billed to the student.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The maximum student contribution amount limits that can be applied to CSP students are dependent on the field of study.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Since 2021, Commonwealth Supported Places have also been limited to 7 years of equivalent full-time study load (EFTSL), calculated in the form of Student Learning Entitlement (SLE).<ref name="Student Learning Entitlement">Template:Cite web</ref> Students may accrue additional SLE under some circumstances (e.g. starting a separate one-year honours program) or every 10 years.<ref name="Student Learning Entitlement" /> Domestic students are also able to access the HECS-HELP student loans scheme offered by the federal government.<ref name="Student loans">Template:Cite web</ref> These are indexed to the Consumer or Wage Price Index, whichever is lower, and repayments are voluntary unless the recipient passes an income threshold.<ref name="Student loans" />

The university also offers several scholarships, which come in the form of bursaries or tuition fee remission.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Domestic students studying full-time may also receive social security payments for the duration of their studies<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and there is a Relocation Scholarship for students moving to or from a regional areas in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Academic calendar

The academic year is expected to be divided into three trimesters lasting 10 weeks each.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Libraries and archives

There are currently nine libraries located across the seven planned campuses.<ref name="Campuses" />

Barr Smith Library

This is a photograph of the Barr Smith Library which was built in the Georgian Revival style with Corinthian pillars.

Corinthian pillars incorporated into the Barr Smith Library

The Barr Smith Library is the third-oldest university library in Australia and was originally located in the Mitchell Building.<ref name="Burn 1982">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="Experience Bonython Hall">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Adelaide AZ Library Building">Template:Cite web</ref>

The library purchased its first book in 1877 for £11, prior to its formal establishment in 1882.<ref name="Burn 1982" /><ref name="Experience Bonython Hall" /> It was later named after its founder Robert Barr Smith who throughout his life had donated £9,000 to purchase books towards the struggling library, which previously had no librarian and an annual budget of £200 of which £150 were spent on books.<ref name="Gosse 1996" /><ref name="Library Heritage Guide">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Robert Barr Smith"/><ref name="Burn 1982" /> William Barlow, the registrar, acted as the de facto first librarian of the then-small library and R. J. M. Clucas was the first official librarian in 1900.<ref name="Burn 1982" /><ref name="Adelaide AZ Library Building" /> Following Robert's death in 1915, an additional endowment of £11,000 in 1920 was made by his family.<ref name="Robert Barr Smith" /><ref name="Gosse 1996" /> In 1928, his son Tony Elder Barr Smith donated almost £35,000 towards a new building for the library to reduce congestion at its original site.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Gosse 1996" /><ref name="Adelaide AZ Reading Room">Template:Cite web</ref> Robert's granddaughter Christine Margaret Mcgregor also donated almost 5,000 books in 1974.<ref name="150th Anniversary Book" /> The building was designed in the Georgian Revival architecture style by Walter Hervey Bagot of the Adelaide-based architecture firm Woods, Bagot & Laybourne Smith and was inspired by Kensington Palace in London.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Library Building" /><ref name="Adelaide AZ Reading Room" /> Following its completion, its collection was transferred from the Mitchell Building through a zip line.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Library Building" /> The building features red-brick exteriors with an entrance with Corinthian pillars below an inscription reading "The Barr Smith Library".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was later expanded twice to increase capacity, reaching a peak of 2.4 million books in 2014.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of the Reading Room inside the Barr Smith Library. It features gold and ivory arches, pillars and a high ceiling.

The Reading Room in the library features gilded ivory arches and tall pillars.

The Barr Smith Reading Room is a notable feature of the library on Level 2. It features oak flooring and furniture with white pillars holding the gilded and ivory arches that form the rounded ceiling.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Reading Room" /><ref name="Experience Bonython Hall" /><ref name="Library Heritage Guide" /> Between the pillars and the arches are two large Latin inscriptions that run across both sides of the room in gold and commemorate the donations from Robert and his family who played a major role in its development.<ref name="Adelaide AZ Reading Room" /><ref name="Robert Barr Smith" /><ref name="Experience Bonython Hall" /> In mid-2023, over 61 paper planes were found in ledges around the ceiling of the reading room, including one made using a university brochure dating back to 1991.<ref name="Francis 2023"/>

The library is also home to a collection of rare books, the archives documenting the development of the both universities among other collections across various subject areas.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This includes books belonging to Samuel Way's collection, who had donated 16,000 books.<ref name="150th Anniversary Book" />

David Murray Library

Established in 1903, the David Murray Library is located in the Brookman Building.<ref>Template:Citation</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Libraries Spaces" /> It is named after Scottish-born merchant and politician David Murray who donated £2000 towards the library.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Sir John Salmond Law Library

Established in 1883, the Sir John Salmond Law Library holds a collection of legal works from Australian and overseas sources including the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and the United States.<ref name="Babie 2010">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Library History">Template:Cite web</ref> In 1967, the law library moved to the Ligertwood Building, which was among those that replaced the demolished Jubilee Exhibition Building.<ref name="Library History" /><ref name="Adelaide City Heritage 2017" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was renamed two years later after John William Salmond who was the third Professor of Law at the Adelaide Law School.<ref name="Babie 2010" />

Jeffrey Smart Building

The Jeffrey Smart Building, named after artist Jeffrey Smart, is a library on the east end of North Terrace.<ref name="UniSA 2014" /><ref name="UniSA Jeffrey Smart" /> It comprises "open plan" teaching and learning spaces and a central green common area.<ref name="Phelps 2014" /><ref name="Architecture Australia 2015" /><ref name="Wilson Architects" /><ref name="Wardle" />

Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Library

The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial is the prime ministerial library of Bob Hawke who served between 1983 and 1991.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> Established in 1997, it was the first of its kind in the world to be founded during the lifetime of a prime minister.<ref name="Bundy 2005">Template:Cite journal</ref> The Bob Hawke Collection forms the bulk of its archives and includes a large collection of his notes, personal papers, state gifts, biographical texts, newspaper extracts, photographs, political comics, articles, recordings and transcripts of speeches and media events, including documents from ministers from his cabinet.<ref name="Bundy 2005" /><ref name="Bramston 2021">Template:Cite web</ref> Notable artefacts held at the library include a hide belt gifted by former President Ronald Reagan, the jacket he wore to the 1983 America's Cup celebrations, a replica of a Panther Model 100 motorcycle that he crashed as a university student and several prime ministerial briefcases.<ref name="Bramston 2021" /><ref name="Bundy 2005" /> The library, which was expanded following his death in 2019, is located in the Hawke Centre.<ref name="UniSA 101 Things" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Libraries Spaces" />

This is a photograph of the Hartley Building, which is the planned home of the Julia Gillard Prime Ministerial Library.

The Hartley Building is the planned home of the Julia Gillard Prime Ministerial Library

Julia Gillard Prime Ministerial Library

The Julia Gillard Prime Ministerial Library is the planned prime ministerial library of Julia Gillard who served between 2010 and 2013.<ref name="Julia Gillard Library Announcement">Template:Cite web</ref> It is a collaborative effort with the National Archives of Australia and will include documents from her career and prime ministerialship.<ref name="Julia Gillard Library Announcement" /> It is expected to open in 2027 and will be located in the Hartley Building, which will also play host to the annual Julia Gillard Public Lecture, research and other programs.<ref name="Julia Gillard Library Announcement" />

Roseworthy Library

Template:See also The Roseworthy Campus Library, formerly the Roseworthy Agricultural College Library, is located on the Roseworthy campus.<ref name="Emery 1990">Template:Cite web</ref>

It dates back to the former Tassie Memorial Library which was funded by John Tassie in 1920.<ref name="Emery 1990" /> It was built as a memorial to his son, also named John Tassie, who was a student at the then Roseworthy College who died during World War I in France.<ref name="Memorial Hall Heritage Survey 2004" /><ref name="Emery 1990" /> It was later expanded in 1945 through donations by A Lowrie, the widow of former principal William Lowrie.<ref name="Emery 1990" /> The William Lowrie Memorial Annexe, which connected to the previous library in a T-shape, was completed in 1947.<ref name="Emery 1990" /> The library moved to its current site in 1974 due to increasing size constraints with the former site now used as a gymnasium.<ref name="Emery 1990" /><ref name="Memorial Hall Heritage Survey 2004" />

Waite Woolhouse Library

The Waite Campus Library, also known as the Woolhouse Library, is located on the Waite campus in Urrbrae.<ref name="Woolhouse Library">Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of the State Library of South Australia, located adjacent to the university, where studies were initially conducted.

The State Library will be co-located with the university

Other libraries

The Mawson Lakes and Magill campuses also have their own libraries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Libraries Spaces">Template:Cite web</ref> The State Library of South Australia will also be co-located with the university.<ref name="Adelaide City Campus" />

Museums and galleries

The university is expected to inherit several museums, galleries and other exhibitions from its antecedent institutions.<ref name="Galleries, museums and centres">Template:Cite web</ref> These include:

MOD.

MOD. (Museum of Discovery) is described as "a futuristic museum of discovery" featuring exhibitions designed by researchers to showcase "how research shapes our understanding of the world around us to inform our futures".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is located in the Bradley Building.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Samstag Museum of Art

Template:Main The Samstag Museum of Art is a contemporary art gallery located at the Hawke Building. Established in 2007, its history dates back to 1977 as the College Gallery.<ref name="UniSA Samstag Museum">Template:Cite web</ref> It is named after Anne and Gordon Samstag and is located at the Hawke Building.<ref name="UniSA Samstag Museum" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of the "K Mak at the Planetarium" exhibition at the Adelaide Planetarium in 2024.

The K Mak at the Planetarium exhibition at the Adelaide Planetarium in 2024<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Adelaide Planetarium

Constructed in 1972, the Adelaide Planetarium is a planetarium at the Mawson Lakes campus.<ref name="UniSA Planetarium">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="About UniSA Planetarium">Template:Cite web</ref> It hosts public exhibitions and short courses that are open to the public.<ref name="UniSA Planetarium" /><ref name="About UniSA Planetarium" />

Architecture Museum

The Architecture Museum includes a collection of 400,000 items including drawings, photographs, correspondence, photographs and personal papers mostly donated by architects who worked in the state during the 20th century.<ref name="UniSA Architecture Museum">Template:Cite web</ref> It is also a library comprising books, journal articles, research and other literature.<ref name="UniSA Architecture Museum" /> It was formally established in 2005, though the collection has been available to the public since the 1990s.<ref name="UniSA Architecture Museum" /> Its early collection was donated by Donald Leslie Johnson, an architecture historian and curator, who began collecting the works in the 1970s due to a lack of a repository in the state.<ref name="UniSA Architecture Museum" /> The museum, which also conducts research in the field of architecture and the built environment, is located in the Kaurna Building.<ref name="UniSA Architecture Museum" />

Tate Museum

This is a photograph of the Mawson Laboratories to where the Tate Museum moved from the former Prince of Wales building in 1952

The Tate Museum is located at the Mawson Laboratories

The Tate Museum is one of the largest geological museums in Australia with a collection of approximately 29,000 rocks and fossils including meteorites, tektites, asteroids and specimens of early life.<ref name="Milnes 2018">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Heruc 2009">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="McKay 2022">Template:Cite web</ref> It was established in 1902 following the death of its namesake botanist and geologist Ralph Tate, though the museum existed informally since 1881 when he first began the collection.<ref name="Heruc 2009" /><ref name="McKay 2022" /> In 1952, it moved from the former Prince of Wales Building to the Mawson Laboratories named after geologist and explorer Douglas Mawson.<ref name="McKay 2022" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The museum also hosts artefacts from Mawson's various expeditions to the Antarctic, including one of his original sleighs.<ref name="McKay 2022" /><ref name="Milnes 2018" /> Its first official curator is Tony Milnes who had worked to restore and document the large collection.<ref name="McKay 2022" /> Notable specimens include some of earth's earliest organisms, a number of which are from up to 550 million years ago, and segments of an asteroid that smashed into the state's Gawler Ranges around 580 million years ago.<ref name="Heruc 2009" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of Urrbrae House, now a museum forming part of the Waite Historic Precinct.

The Urrbrae House, built in 1891, is now a museum

Waite Historic Precinct

The Waite Historic Precinct includes the Urrbrae House museum, Waite Arboretum and Waite Conservation Reserve.<ref name="Urrbrae House History" /> The museum resides in the former home of Peter Waite and was built in 1891.<ref name="Urrbrae House History" /> Its interior is designed by Aldam Heaton & Co, who was also responsible for designing interiors for the Titanic.<ref name="Urrbrae House History" /> The Waite Arboretum, a tree museum, is home to over 2,500 tree specimens<ref name="Waite Campus" /> from over 1,000 taxa, many of which are endangered in the wild.<ref name="Waite History Spaces" /><ref name="Gardner 2023" /><ref name="Gardner" /> The annual rainfall at the arboretum is 622mm.<ref name="Waite Institute Connect" /> The Waite Conservation Reserve is home to native plants and fauna.<ref name="Waite History Spaces" /><ref name="Gardner 2023" /><ref name="Friends of Waite Conservation Reserve" />

Other exhibitions

Template:See also The SASA Gallery showcases creative works by students and researchers.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is located in the Kaurna Building.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It is the modern descendant of the SA School of Art (SASA) established in 1856.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

The Bob Hawke Prime Ministerial Centre and Kerry Packer Civic Gallery have exhibitions that change regularly.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Other divisions

Other planned divisions of the university include:<ref name="Galleries, museums and centres" />

Elder Conservatorium

This is a photograph of the Elder Hall, a venue for concerts and events with a statue of early benefactor Thomas Elder in front.

Elder Hall, named after early donor Thomas Elder, integrates freestone from Mount Gambier

Established in 1883, the Elder Conservatorium of Music is the oldest tertiary music academy in Australia.<ref name="2018 Elder Con Handbook">Template:Cite web</ref> It offers study and research programs in jazz, classical performance, musical theatre, classical voice, pop music, sonic arts, music production, song-writing, music composition, conducting, teaching, ensembles and performance studies.<ref name="Elder Con">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="2018 Elder Con Handbook" /> It is also home to the Australian String Quartet, Sia Furler Institute and the Centre for Aboriginal Studies in Music.<ref name="Elder Con" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The conservatorium also offers theatre performances and Lunchtime and After Hours concert series.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Elder Concert Series"/> The academy's first Professor of Music was Cambridge graduate Joshua Ives, also the first professor of music in Australia.<ref name="Elder Con" /><ref name="Elder Hall Connect" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Edward Harold Davies was the first Australian to graduate with a Doctor of Music in 1902 and Ruby Claudia Davy was the first Australian woman to earn the doctorate.<ref name="Elton Elder Hall"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

This is a photograph of the interior of the Elder Hall, which was inspired by Florentine Gothic architecture.

The Elder Hall was inspired by Florentine Gothic architecture

The Elder Hall used by the conservatorium was built following the death of its namesake and music lover Thomas Elder who left £20,000 towards its construction.<ref name="Elder Con" /><ref name="Elton Elder Hall" /> The founding stone, made from nearby gumtree, was placed on 26 September 1898 by then-state governor Thomas Fowell Buxton.<ref name="Elder Hall Connect" /><ref name="Elton Elder Hall" /> The building was officially opened exactly two years later on 26 September 1900 in a formal ceremony despite having been already used for months.<ref name="Elder Con" /><ref name="Elder Hall Connect" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The South Australian Register reported the next day that the great hall was opened by Lord Tennyson "positively for the last time" and that "the majority of those who were present had already attended at two more or less appropriate ceremonial openings of the Elder Hall".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Its current organ is built by Casavant Fréres of Quebec in 1979, having replaced the previous Dodd organ that later was purchased by St Mark's Cathedral in Port Pirie.<ref name="Elton Elder Hall" /> The great hall was constructed in the Florentine Gothic architectural style integrating freestone from Mount Gambier.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Elton Elder Hall" />

National Wine Centre

This is a photograph of the National Wine Centre of Australia.

The National Wine Centre of Australia on North Terrace

Located in the Adelaide Park Lands at the eastern end of North Terrace, the National Wine Centre offers some of the university's oenology courses.<ref name="Wine Centre History">Template:Cite web</ref> Opened in 2001, the facility also hosts public exhibitions about winemaking and its industry in South Australia.<ref name="State Library 2006">Template:Cite web</ref> It contains an interactive permanent exhibition of winemaking, introducing visitors to the technology, varieties and styles of wine.<ref name="Wine Centre History" /><ref name="State Library 2006" /> It also has wine tasting areas, giving visitors the opportunity to taste and compare wines from across Australia.<ref name="Wine Centre History" /> The building, which is adjacent to the Adelaide Botanic Gardens, was designed by Phillip Cox and Grieve Gillett and uses building materials to reflect items used in making wine.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Student life

Student unions

This is a photograph of a footpath along the southern fence on War Memorial Drive in winter.

A footpath along the east end sites on War Memorial Drive

The antecedent universities' two student unions, YouX and USASA, are expected to merge into one.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> YouX, which was founded in 1895, is one of the oldest students' unions in Australia.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was established by the founding clubs of its then-affiliated Adelaide University Sports Association, which was itself established the following year.<ref name="Sports Association Connect" /> USASA was founded in 1994.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Student magazines

The two student unions produce their own student magazines. YouX produces the On Dit magazine, pronounced on-dee after the French expression "we say", which was established in 1932 as the second-oldest student-run print media in Australia.<ref name="On Dit Connect">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Former writers of the newspaper include several federal politicians including former prime minister Julia Gillard.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> USASA produces the Verse Magazine which was established in 2014 and has an annual print run of 12,000 copies.<ref name="Verge Magazine">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="USASA Student Guide">Template:Cite web</ref> The two magazine publish artwork and written pieces including campus news, creative writing, essays, exposés, opinion pieces, photography, poetry, reviews and visual art.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="USASA Student Guide" /><ref name="Verge Magazine" />

This is a photograph of the indoor pool located in Pridham Hall, a gymnasium and multi-sport facility.

Pridham Hall is a gymnasium and multi-sport facility

Sports and athletics

The two universities currently have their own sports associations that compete at the UniSport Nationals and the state-level SA Challenge intervarsity competitions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Team UniSA">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

This is a photograph of the Barr Smith Boat Shed of the Adelaide University Boat Club, donated by Robert Barr Smith.

The Barr Smith Boat Shed donated by Robert Barr Smith

University of Adelaide

Established in 1896, Adelaide University Sport has 37 sports clubs, including its three founding clubs that predate its establishment.<ref name="Sports Association Connect">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its historical motto is Mobilitate Vigemus translated "we thrive by mobility".<ref name="Coppin 2011">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref> Its sporting colours black and white are likely from the white-backed magpie, an Australian bird found on its crest and the state badge.<ref name="Coppin 2011" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its mascot is Gus, a black lion, which replaced the piping shrike on its historical crest.<ref name="Mascot">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Coppin 2011" />

University of South Australia

Founded in 2013, UniSA Sport has 28 sports clubs and competes as Team UniSA.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Team UniSA" /> It includes several clubs that predate the university.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> This includes its hockey club which was affiliated with the antecedent South Australian Institute of Technology since 1970.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Residential colleges

This is a photograph of the Newland Building at St. Mark's College, one of several private residential colleges near the university.

Newland Building of St Mark's College, one of several private residential colleges

St. Mark's College was founded in 1925 by the Anglican Diocese of Adelaide and is the oldest of the colleges.<ref name="St Mark's College 2020">Template:Cite web</ref> It was developed by some former residents of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge among others with the goal of developing a similar collegiate lifestyle.<ref name="St Mark's College 2020" />

Aquinas College was founded as a men's college in 1950 by the Catholic Church at Montefiore House, the former residence of Samuel Way.<ref name="Aquinas College 2018">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref> It later expanded to surrounding sites and became co-residential in 1975.<ref name="Aquinas College 2018" />

This is a photograph of Abraham House, one of a number of heritage-listed buildings at Lincoln College, a residential college for university students in Adelaide.

Abraham House, one of several heritage buildings that are part of Lincoln College

St Ann's College was founded as a women's college in 1947.<ref name="St Ann's College 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> The college's honorary founder is politician Josiah Symon who in 1924 suggested that female students should have somewhere to live.<ref name="St Ann's College 2023" /> It became co-educational in 1973.<ref name="St Ann's College 2023" />

Lincoln College was founded in 1952 by the Methodist Church and named after the Lincoln College at the University of Oxford.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Originally established as a men's college, it became co-residential in 1973.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It features several heritage-listed buildings.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

There are also other private student accommodation providers in the city centre and near other campuses.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Additionally, the Roseworthy and Whyalla campuses manage their own accommodation for students studying at those locations.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

Adelaide University alumni will include those of the two antecedent universities and their predecessor institutions.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> These include the first female Australian prime minister Julia Gillard,<ref name="Julia Gillard" /> Singaporean presidents Tony Tan<ref name="Tan 2010" /> and Ong Teng Cheong,<ref name="Ong Teng Cheong" /> the first Australian-born astronaut Andy Thomas,<ref name="Shepherd 2019" /> the first demonstrator of nuclear fusion Mark Oliphant,<ref name="Carver" /> the founding editor-in-chief of Vogue China Angelica Cheung,<ref name="Angelica Cheung">Template:Cite web</ref> singer-songwriter Guy Sebastian,<ref name="Guy Sebastian" /> the industrialist Edward Holden who founded Australian automobile manufacturer GM Holden,<ref name="Edward Holden" /> the speech therapist Lionel Logue who helped King George VI manage his stammer,<ref name="Lionel Logue" /> the inventor of modern sunscreen Milton Blake,<ref>Template:Cite webTemplate:Cbignore</ref> Neil Weste whose advancements in wireless communications are widely used<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and several Olympians and Paralympians including Matthew Cowdrey.<ref name="Matthew Cowdrey" /> Incumbent office-holders include the state premier Peter Malinauskas,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> state governor Frances Adamson,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> the Human Rights Watch executive director Tirana Hassan,<ref name="Tirana Hassan" /> the national senate leader Penny Wong,<ref name="Penny Wong">Template:Cite web</ref> the Australian National University chancellor Julie Bishop<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and several federal cabinet ministers. The two universities have also produced a combined 117 Rhodes scholars,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> 173 Fulbright scholars<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and three Nobel laureates.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its history include the development of penicillin, space exploration, sunscreen, the military tank, Wi-Fi, polymer banknotes and X-ray crystallography, and the study of viticulture and oenology.<ref name="Sendziuk 2018" />

• Notable alumni associated with the university:
• Julia Gillard was the first female Prime Minister of Australia.
  Julia Gillard<ref name="Julia Gillard">Template:Cite web</ref>
  First female Prime Minister of Australia
• Andy Thomas was the first Australian-born astronaut.
  Andy Thomas<ref name="Shepherd 2019">Template:Cite web</ref>
  Aerospace engineer and first Australian-born astronaut
• Julie Bishop was the female Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia.
  Julie Bishop<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  First female Minister for Foreign Affairs of Australia
• Tony Tan was the 7th President of the Republic of Singapore.
  Tony Tan<ref name="Tan 2010">Template:Cite web</ref>
  7th President of the Republic of Singapore
• Penny Wong is the current Minister for Foreign Affairs and federal senate leader.
  Penny Wong<ref name="Penny Wong" />
  Current Minister for Foreign Affairs and senate leader
• Ong Teng Cheong was the 5th President of the Republic of Singapore.
  Ong Teng Cheong<ref name="Ong Teng Cheong">Template:Cite web</ref>
  5th President of the Republic of Singapore
• Roma Mitchell was the first female Australian judge, chancellor and state governor.
  Roma Mitchell<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  First female Australian judge, chancellor and state governor
• Laura Margaret Hope was the first female surgeon in Australia.
  Laura Margaret Hope<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
  First female surgeon in Australia
• Mark Oliphant was the first demonstrator of nuclear fission.
  Mark Oliphant<ref name="Carver">Template:Cite web</ref>
  Nuclear physicist and humanitarian
• Tirana Hassan is the eecutive director of Human Rights Watch.
  Tirana Hassan<ref name="Tirana Hassan">Template:Cite web</ref>
  Executive director of Human Rights Watch
• Angelica Cheung was the founding editor-in-chief of Vogue China.
  Angelica Cheung<ref name="Angelica Cheung" />
  Founding editor-in-chief of Vogue China
• Guy Sebastian is a singer-songwriter and musician.
  Guy Sebastian<ref name="Guy Sebastian">Template:Cite web</ref>
  Singer-songwriter and musician
• Lionel Logue was a speech and language therapist.
  Lionel Logue<ref name="Lionel Logue">Template:Cite web</ref>
  Speech and language therapist
• Matthew Cowdrey is a Paralympian and state politician.
  Matthew Cowdrey<ref name="Matthew Cowdrey">Template:Cite web</ref>
  Paralympian and state politician
• Edward Holden was an industrialist and founder of GM Holden.
  Edward Holden<ref name="Edward Holden">Template:Cite web</ref>
  Industrialist and founder of GM Holden

Nobel laureates

Template:Multiple image Nobel laureates associated with the university include Lawrence Bragg, who held the record for the youngest laureate ever until 2014, co-recipient with his father William Henry Bragg for their work in x-ray crystallography in 1915.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Bragg 1967">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Howard Florey, a pharmacologist and pathologist, shared the 1945 Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine with Alexander Fleming and Ernst Chain for their role in the development of penicillin.<ref name="Howard Florey Biography">Template:Cite web</ref> J. M. Coetzee, a novelist and member of the faculty, had won the Nobel Prize in Literature in 2003.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Robin Warren was a pathologist who, alongside Barry Marshall, discovered that peptic ulcers were largely caused by the infection Helicobacter pylori, graduated in 1961.<ref name="Grandin 2006" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Warren and Marshall won the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine for their discovery in 2005.<ref name="Grandin 2006">Template:Cite web</ref>

Controversies

Initial merger discussions

The University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia had previously engaged to discuss a merger in 2018 but failed due to disagreements from the latter about the post-merger leadership structure.<ref name="ABC News 2018" /><ref name="Siebert 2021"/><ref name="Siebert 2020" /><ref name="Richards 2022" />

Opinion polling on staff

The National Tertiary Education Union SA conducted a survey of 1,100 university staff and found that three-quarters of respondents were against the merger.<ref name="Richards 2023 Merger Agreement" /><ref name="Kelsall 2023 Staff Reactions" /><ref name="The National Tribune 2023">Template:Cite web</ref> In addition, the state government has been accused of coercing the universities to agree to merge, indicating that a commission of inquiry would be established to find ways to compel the two universities to merge had their councils refused to do so, with less financial support available.<ref name="Richards 2023 Merger Agreement" /><ref name="Kelsall 2023 Staff Reactions" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Andrew Miller, the state secretary of the union, raised concerns that staff were under "extreme psychosocial pressure" to meet the 2026 launch deadline.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 GOT">Template:Cite web</ref> Backing his claims with communications from the Integration Management Office staff responsible for merging the two institutions, he added that the "Game of Thrones" perception among staff competing "for the final spots of the new Adelaide University" was causing tensions, breakdowns and disharmony.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 GOT" /> The institutions' vice-chancellors David Lloyd and Peter Høj criticised the claims, referring to them as "whispers of Little Birds or Littlefingers",<ref name="Lloyd 2024">Template:Cite web</ref> though they had previously admitted that the "two-by-two approach across the board" was "not as linear as first conceived".<ref name="Kelsall 2024 GOT" />

In 2025, a FOI document obtained by The Australian found an increase in bullying and harassment reports at the University of Adelaide following the announcement of the merger.<ref name="Willis 2025">Template:Cite web</ref> It added concerns from staff that the merger would result in a "meat grinder producing poorly educated students" that would be seen as "walking dollar signs".<ref name="Willis 2025" />

The post-merger plan to switch to a trimester academic calendar has also been criticised by the union whose internal poll showed that more than 4 in 5 members were against the move.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Land re-development

In February 2024, the State Government drew criticism for its plans to convert land it had purchased from two University of South Australia campuses for housing and commercial re-development.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI" /> As part of the merger agreement, the land was to be sold to the South Australian Government for Template:AUD and leased back to the university for a period of up to 10 years.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI" /> Following the release of several internal FOI documents retrieved by InDaily from the Premier's Office, it was later revealed that the land was "earmarked for future development" for residential and commercial purposes.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI" />

The original media release replaced the phrase with "short-term transitional lease to university", referring to the leaseback period of 10 years, following concerns from UniSA vice-chancellor David Lloyd that the original draft would "create enormous community reaction which will be particularly unhelpful at this time".<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI">Template:Cite web</ref> The land sales account for the entirety of the Magill campus and approximately 50% of the Mawson Lakes campus.<ref name="Kelsall 2024 FOI" />

Elimination of in-person lectures

In September 2024, internal documents announced a shift away from face-to-face lectures in favour of rich digital learning activities.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Dr Andrew Miller, division secretary of the National Tertiary Education Union’s South Australia branch said that the decision ''flies in the face of co-creation and professional autonomy and expertise.”<ref name=":0" />

Gallery

• Barr Smith Library
  Barr Smith Library
• University buildings
  University buildings
• Bonython Hall during sunset
  Bonython Hall during sunset
• Murray House in Magill
  Murray House in Magill
• Buildings on the east end
  Buildings on the east end
• Mitchell Building
  Mitchell Building
• Elder Conservatorium
  Elder Conservatorium
• SA State Library
  SA State Library
• Adelaide University Footbridge
  Adelaide University Footbridge
• Courtyard with students
  Courtyard with students
• East side of Brookman Building
  East side of Brookman Building
• View across the River Torrens
  View across the River Torrens
• View across Barr Smith Library
  View across Barr Smith Library
• Barr Smith Library ceiling
  Barr Smith Library ceiling

Tram stop

Template:As of the planned Adelaide City campus has two stops on the Glenelg tram line, "University" and "City West", which will connect the east and west end of the campus along North Terrace.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Adelaide City Campus" /> Template:Adjacent stations

References

Sources

• Template:Cite web
• Template:Cite web
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite web
• Template:Cite web
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite book
• Template:Cite web
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• Template:Cite book

External links

• Template:Official website
• Accreditation information at Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency
• On Dit - a student magazine
• Verse Magazine - a student magazine