Teaching and learning

Contemporary curriculum

Adelaide University aims to offer Australia’s most accessible, contemporary, and future-focused teaching and learning experience.

Our approach is shaped in partnership with industry, embedded with work-integrated learning, digitally underpinned, internationally informed and connected, reflective of our research, and geared to respond to skills shortages that are central to economic growth and the betterment of communities, globally.

Our comprehensive suite of programs will produce career-ready employable graduates, from all walks of life, aligned to disciplines and jobs in areas of future demand.

The Adelaide Attainment Model

We’re transforming how you’ll study by reimagining the teaching and learning experience. The Adelaide Attainment model is designed for the contemporary learner and supports flexibility and engagement. 

Stackable degree structures

Enables multiple entry pathways and multiple transition points creating personalised study journeys.   
Provides greater flexibility to support study-life balance. 
Easier credit transfers between degrees.

Digitally rich learning environment

Enhances accessibility and flexibility through the latest digital technologies.  
Provides instant content delivery and active-learning and collaboration.

Integrated learning in industry and community

Engage in real-world industry, community and professional settings.  
Opportunities for internships, placements, community projects, volunteering, or global study experiences. 
Connect with professional networks while you study.

Common Core courses

You will be able to select Common Core courses from knowledge areas most valued by employers, including: 

Artificial Intelligence: Introduces the fundamental principles, techniques, and real-world applications of AI.  
Data Knowledges: Explores data types, sources, and structures, best practices for collecting, managing, and analysing data, and strategies for evaluating and communicating information effectively.  
Entrepreneurship and Design Thinking: Develops the tools and mindset to identify opportunities, develop sustainable solutions, and drive positive change.  
Ethical Knowledges: Uncovers the fundamental principles of moral reasoning and their application to real-world situations.  
Intercultural Understanding:  Fosters cross-cultural communication and competency and a deeper understanding of how one’s cultural background shapes life experiences.   
First Nations Knowledges: Learning and centring Aboriginal voices and ways of knowing, being and becoming.

Graduate qualities

Our curriculum design means you will graduate as a:  

Lifelong learner – have enduring passion for personal and professional development. 
Ethical Leader – do what is right over what is easy. 
Strategic problem solver – approach challenges with analytical rigour and creative insight. 
Global citizen – respect your role in the world and your capacity to enact positive change. 
Resilient thinker – succeed by harnessing critical, creative and adaptable thinking. 
Trusted communicator – articulate ideas effectively and inspire change.

The Adelaide Academy

The Adelaide Academy provides a wide range of intercurricular, co-curricular and extracurricular activities for you across areas such as personal discovery, equity and social change, innovation, leadership for the future, and widening perspectives as well as additional mentoring and work-integrated learning. 

Embedding First Nations Knowledges

First Nations Knowledges are meaningfully embedded into all curriculum through careful and purposeful collaboration with Indigenous scholars, academics, Elders and Aboriginal Communities and Knowledge Holders. Cultural safety, strengths-based approaches, and centering Aboriginal voices and ways of knowing, being and becoming are emphasized and integrated across all our study areas. 