About Adelaide University

Australia’s new for-purpose university 

About Adelaide University

A clear vision

Adelaide University is a leading contemporary comprehensive university of global standing. We are dedicated to ensuring the prosperity, wellbeing and cohesion of society by addressing educational inequality through our actions and through the success and impact of our students, staff and alumni. Partnered with the communities we serve, we conduct outstanding future-making research of scale and focus. 

Our ambitions

Through meaningful partnerships anchored in educational and research excellence, Adelaide University will make a measurable impact. Our ambition is to be world leading and world referenced through our actions and through the success and influence of our students, staff, researchers, partners and alumni community.   Our aspirations include:

Member of the Group of Eight

Australia’s leading research-intensive universities

Top 5 nationally for student experience  

Aims to be sustainably ranked in Australia’s top 5 universities for student experience

Top 1% of universities worldwide

Aims to be sustainably ranked in the top 1% of universities globally 

Adelaide University’s activities will contribute an estimated $4.7 billion a year to the Australian economy

Top in Australia for student employment

Aims to be ranked as the best university nationally for student employment outcomes 

A destination for education

International education is South Australia's top export, strengthening our connections worldwide

Get to know Adelaide University

Learn how your new university for the future will drive transformative change.   

Why Adelaide?

What makes us stand out?

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Our University

A university for the future

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Governance

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Our brand

We’re launching bright futures for generations to come.

 

FAQs


Adelaide University is a new university for the future, built on the strengths and legacies of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide to unlock transformational investments in education, research and innovation at scale for generations to come. 

Our strategic direction will optimise and pursue our ambitions on the global stage as a member of the prestigious research-intensive Group of Eight (Go8) and aim to sustainably position Adelaide University in the top 1% of universities worldwide. 

On 8 March 2024, Adelaide University was established as a new entity under the Adelaide University Act 2023.  

On 28 May 2024, Adelaide University received necessary registration from the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA) as a new Australian University higher education provider.  

On 14 June 2024, Adelaide University received approval of the new institution’s CRICOS provider registration.  

Adelaide University is progressing amendments required to the Higher Education Support Act to establish status as a Table A Australian Public University ahead of the full commencement of operations on 1 January 2026.   

Australia’s new for-purpose university is a leading contemporary comprehensive university of global standing. We are dedicated to ensuring the prosperity, wellbeing and cohesion of society by addressing educational inequality through our actions and through the success and impact of our students, staff and alumni. Partnered with the communities we serve, we conduct outstanding future-making research of scale and focus. 

Adelaide University will commence operations on 1 January 2026.  

International student applications and acceptances for a subset of Adelaide University coursework programs are now open ahead of commencement in 2026.   

Research degrees will be open for application in early 2025 for student commencement in 2026.  

Local student applications and acceptances for coursework programs will open in August 2025 ahead of the 2026 academic year.    

The Adelaide University Transition Council will oversee the implementation of our vision for the institution and ensure the successful delivery of our ambitions for the South Australian community.   

To date, 13 members have been appointed. The University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide have each nominated six representatives. Two positions have been held vacant for appointment at a future time. 

Chancellor: Ms Pauline Carr 

Deputy Chancellors: Ms Janet Finlay and Mr James (Jim) Hazel 

Additional Nominated Members: 

  • Mr Lachlan Coleman 

  • Professor Peter Høj AC FAA FTSE FNAI (US)  

  • Mr Andrew (Andy) Keough CSC 

  • Professor David Lloyd 

  • Ms Carolyn Mitchell 

  • Mr Andrew Pridham AO 

  • Ms Nicolle Rantanen Reynolds 

  • Professor Deirdre Tedmanson 

  • Hon Amanda Vanstone AO 

  • Mr Kenneth (Ken) Williams 

Professor Peter Høj AC FAA FTSE FNAI (US) 
Professor Peter Høj has more than 25 years' senior leadership experience in higher education and research and is the current Vice-Chancellor and President of the University of Adelaide. Prior to that he was Vice-Chancellor and President of The University of Queensland (2012–20) and the University of South Australia (2007–12). 

He was educated at the University of Copenhagen, majoring in biochemistry and chemistry, and has a Master of Science and a PhD. 

Professor Høj was awarded the Companion of the Order of Australia (AC) in 2019 for eminent service to higher education and to science, particularly to the commercialisation of research, and to policy development and reform. 

Professor Høj is a Fellow of Academies in Australia, the USA and Denmark, and has been awarded honorary doctorates from institutions including the University of Adelaide, University of South Australia, University of Queensland, La Trobe University, and University of Copenhagen. 

In addition to his academic leadership roles, Professor Høj is Trustee of the Australian Cancer Research Foundation and a member of the IP Group Australia Steering Group. His previous Board roles include Wine Australia, the Australian Medical Research Advisory Board for the Medical Research Future Fund, Member of the Australian Human Rights Commission Leadership Council on Cultural Diversity, Group of Eight (including Chair in 2017), Universities Australia, CSIRO, Business SA and South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute. He is also serving on the Australian Government’s University Foreign Interference Taskforce. 

Professor Høj commenced in February 2021 as the University of Adelaide's 24th Vice-Chancellor and President. 

Professor David Lloyd C Chem FRSC FTSE  
Professor David Lloyd is Vice Chancellor and President of the University of South Australia. A Dublin-born and educated chemist who specialises in computer-aided drug design, Professor Lloyd has re-focused institutional culture to position the institution as Australia’s University of Enterprise and to shape its activities to better meet the challenges of the 21st century. 

Professor Lloyd was a member of the South Australia Economic Development Board (EDB) from 2014 to 2018. A past Chair of the Australian Technology Network group of technology-focused universities, he is now Chair of Universities Australia, the peak national body representing the university sector. He was also appointed to the Australian Research Council’s (ARC) Advisory Council to provide advice to the ARC on key research policy issues, to lend independent strategic guidance and experience that will strengthen the ARC’s ability to support research and innovation in Australia. In 2019, he was appointed as chair of the Committee for Adelaide. 

Professor Lloyd qualified with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Chemistry and a PhD in Medicinal Organic Chemistry from Dublin City University. He holds an honorary Professorship from Tianjin University, is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering. 

Adelaide University is a member of the prestigious and research-intensive Group of Eight (Go8) and will aim to be sustainably: 

  • ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide 

  • ranked top in Australia for student employment outcomes 

  • ranked top 5 nationally for student experience. 

On inception, Adelaide University will be the largest domestic educator in Australia. It is estimated Adelaide University’s activities will contribute $4.7 billion a year to the Australian economy.  

Adelaide University will also aim to be: 

  • the second largest educator of low-SES students nationally  

  • one of Australia’s top five educators of regional and rural students 

  • ranked first in Australia for industry income in research.  

The Adelaide University logo is based on a monogram of our initials, tilted forward to convey momentum and future focus with an angle that echoes the Adelaide Festival Centre – the beating cultural heart of our home city. The monogram balances stability with agility, drawing from the rich heritage of both founding universities. Its curvature and shape reflect the broader state of South Australia with harmony and openness. 

The following principles are proposed for current and future students, but are subject to necessary regulatory approvals being obtained and Adelaide University commencing operations from 1 January 2026: 

  • All students commencing with Adelaide University from 2026 (and beyond) will graduate with an Adelaide University award. 

  • Commencing students enrolling in 2025 (and who transfer from the University of Adelaide or the University of South Australia to the new university) will receive their award from Adelaide University. 

  • Commencing and continuing students enrolled in or before 2024 (and who transfer from the University of Adelaide or the University of South Australia to the new university) will take their award from Adelaide University but, subject to regulatory approval, may be able to elect to have the name and logo of the University of Adelaide or the University of South Australia displayed on their award.  

All students, regardless of commencement date, completing their studies prior to 2026 will receive an award from their current institution (either the University of Adelaide or the University of South Australia) but, subject to regulatory approvals, will also be taken to be alumni of the new Adelaide University. They will be eligible to receive official confirmation of this from the new Adelaide University should they require it. 

Graduates of the University of South Australia and the University of Adelaide will come together to join the Adelaide University alumni community, with more than 400,000 global citizens spanning 150 countries.

News and events

Read the latest news and find out what’s on.

3 Oct

Adelaide University treks the globe

Adelaide University has been propelled onto the world stage sharing details of its bold vision, brand and proposition for students, staff and global partners through exciting international engagements.  

1 Oct

News: Is the traditional lecture a thing of the past?

In a digital age where access to knowledge is only ever one click away, has the traditional university lecture format had its day? 

30 Sep

Media Release: Deputy Vice Chancellors appointed at Australia’s newest major university

Adelaide University has today announced the appointment of its first Deputy Vice Chancellors (DVCs).

 

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