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University of New South Wales
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The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is a public research university based in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. It was established in 1949.
Key Information
The university comprises seven faculties, through which it offers bachelor's, master's and doctoral degrees. Its main campus is in the Sydney eastern suburb of Kensington, 7 kilometres (4.3 mi) from the Sydney central business district (CBD). Its creative arts school, UNSW Art & Design (in the faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture), is located in Paddington and it has subcampuses in the Sydney CBD and several other suburbs, including Randwick and Coogee. It has a campus at the Australian Defence Force military academy, ADFA in Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. It has research stations located throughout the state of New South Wales.
It is one of the founding members of Group of Eight, a coalition of Australian research-intensive universities and a member of Universitas 21, a global network of research universities. It has international exchange and research partnerships with over 200 universities around the world.
History
[edit]Foundation
[edit]
The origins of the university can be traced to the Sydney Mechanics' School of Arts established in 1833 and the Sydney Technical College established in 1878.[13] These institutions were established to meet the growing demand for capabilities in new technologies as the New South Wales economy shifted from its pastoral base to industries fuelled by the industrial age.[13]
The idea of founding the university originated from the crisis demands of World War II, during which the nation's attention was drawn to the critical role that science and technology played in transforming an agricultural society into a modern and industrial one.[14] The post-war Labor government of New South Wales recognised the increasing need to have a university specialised in training high-quality engineers and technology-related professionals in numbers beyond that of the capacity and characteristics of the existing University of Sydney.[14] This led to the proposal to establish the Institute of Technology, submitted by the then-New South Wales Minister for Education Bob Heffron, accepted on 9 July 1946.
The university, originally named the "New South Wales University of Technology", gained its statutory status through the enactment of the New South Wales University of Technology Act 1949 (NSW) by the Parliament of New South Wales in Sydney in 1949.[15]
Early years
[edit]In March 1948, classes commenced with a first intake of 46 students pursuing programs including civil engineering, mechanical engineering, mining engineering, and electrical engineering.[16] At that time, the thesis programs were innovative. Each course embodied a specified and substantial period of practical training in the relevant industry. It was also unprecedented for tertiary institutions at that time to include compulsory instruction in humanities.[17]

Initially, the university operated from the inner Sydney Technical College city campus in Ultimo as a separate institution from the college. However, in 1951, the Parliament of New South Wales passed the New South Wales University of Technology (Construction) Act 1951 (NSW) to provide funding and allow buildings to be erected at the Kensington site where the university is now located.[citation needed]
The lower campus area of the Kensington campus was vested in the university in two lots, in December 1952 and June 1954. The upper campus area was vested in the university in November 1959.[18][19]
Expansion
[edit]In 1958, the university's name was changed to the "University of New South Wales" reflecting a transformation from a technology-based institution to a generalist university. In 1960, the faculties of arts and medicine were established, with the faculty of law coming into being in 1971.[20]
The university's first director was Arthur Denning (1949–1952), who made important contributions to founding the university. In 1953, he was replaced by Philip Baxter, who continued as vice-chancellor when this position's title was changed in 1955.[21] Baxter's dynamic, if authoritarian, management was central to the university's first 20 years. His visionary, but at times controversial, energies saw the university grow from a handful to 15,000 students by 1968.[22] The new vice-chancellor, Rupert Myers (1969–1981), brought consolidation and an urbane management style to a period of expanding student numbers, demand for change in university style, and challenges of student unrest.
In 1962, the academic book publishing company University of New South Wales Press was launched. Now an ACNC not-for-profit entity, it has three divisions: NewSouth Publishing (the publishing arm of the company), NewSouth Books (the sales, marketing and distribution part of the company), and the UNSW Bookshop, situated at the Kensington campus.
The stabilising techniques of the 1980s managed by the vice-chancellor, Michael Birt (1981–1992),[23] provided a firm base for the energetic corporatism and campus enhancements pursued by the subsequent vice-chancellor, John Niland (1992–2002). The 1990s had the addition of fine arts to the university. The university established colleges in Newcastle (1951) and Wollongong (1961), which eventually became the University of Newcastle and the University of Wollongong in 1965 and 1975, respectively.
The former St George Institute of Education (part of the short-lived Sydney College of Advanced Education) amalgamated with the university from 1 January 1990, resulting in the formation of a School of Teacher Education at the former SGIE campus at Oatley. A School of Sports and Leisure Studies and a School of Arts and Music Education were also subsequently based at St George. The campus was closed in 1999.[24]
Recent history
[edit]In 2012, private sources contributed 45% of the university's annual funding.[25]
In 2010, the Lowy Cancer Research Centre, Australia's first facility to bring together researchers in childhood and adult cancer, costing $127 million, opened.[26][27]
In 2003, the university was invited by Singapore's Economic Development Board to consider opening a campus there. Following a 2004 decision to proceed, the first phase of a planned $200 m campus opened in 2007. Students and staff were sent home and the campus closed after one semester following substantial financial losses.[28]
In 2008, it collaborated with two other universities in forming The Centre for Social Impact. In 2019, the university moved to a trimester timetable as part of UNSW's 2025 Strategy. Under the trimester timetable, the study load changed from offering four subjects per 13-week semester, to three subjects per 10-week term. The change to trimesters has been widely criticised by staff and students as a money-making move, with little consideration as to the well-being of students.[29]
In 2012, UNSW Press celebrated its 50th anniversary and launched the UNSW Bragg Prize for Science Writing. The annual Best Australian Science Writing anthology contains the winning and shortlisted entries among a collection of the year's writing from Australian authors, journalists and scientists and is published annually in the NewSouth imprint under a different editorship. The UNSW Press Bragg Student Prize is for science writing by Australian high school students and is supported by the Copyright Agency Cultural Fund and UNSW Science.[citation needed]
In the 2019 Student Experience Survey, the University of New South Wales recorded the lowest student satisfaction rating out of all Australian universities, with an overall satisfaction rating of 62.9, which was lower than the overall national average of 78.4.[30] UNSW's low student satisfaction numbers for 2019 was attributed to the university's switch to a trimester system.[31] In the 2021 Student Experience Survey, the University of New South Wales recorded the lowest student satisfaction rating out of all New South Wales universities, and the second lowest nationwide behind the University of Melbourne, with an overall satisfaction rating of 66.9, which was lower than the overall national average of 73.[32]
On 16 December 2019, the Kensington campus was equipped with Light Rail service upon the opening of the UNSW High Street stop on the L2 Randwick Line Randwick.[33][34]
On 15 July 2020, the university announced 493 job cuts and a 25 percent reduction in management due to the effects of COVID-19 and a $370 million budget shortfall.[35]
In October 2021, UNSW established Mentem by UNSW[36] to help organisations upskill and reskill their workforces. Mentem[37] helps organisation achieve strategic goals and measures completion and success rates through their bespoke insights platform. In September 2022 Mentem won Best in Class at the Australian Good Design awards[38] for the work with Department of regional NSW government, creating a learning program to uplift staff in digital literacy.
In May 2022, UNSW announced the university had received a $4.7 million in funding in order to pursue health prevention research. The funding aims to fund research on infectious diseases, drug and alcohol use and primary health care. Announced as part of NSW Health's Prevention Research Support Program (PRSP), the research is designed to support NWS research organisations conducting prevention and early intervention research.[39]
Campuses and buildings
[edit]



The main UNSW campus, where most faculties are situated, is located on a 38-hectare (94-acre) site in Kensington, Sydney. UNSW Art & Design is located in the inner suburb of Paddington. The university also has additional campuses and field stations in Randwick, Coogee, Botany, Dee Why, Cowan, Manly Vale, Fowlers Gap, Port Macquarie, Wagga Wagga, Albury, Coffs Harbour, Griffith, and Bankstown Airport.
Main Campus
[edit]The main UNSW campus in Kensington is divided geographically into two areas: upper campus and lower campus, which were vested to the university in three separate lots.[19][18] These two are separated mainly by an elevation rise between the quadrangle and the Scientia building. Roughly 15 minutes are needed to walk from one end to the other.
Art & Design Campus
[edit]The UNSW School of Art & Design campus is located in Paddington, Sydney and offers undergraduate and Honours degrees in Visual Arts, Design, Animation & Moving Image, and Art Theory; and postgraduate and research degrees in Fine Arts, Design, Curating & Cultural Leadership, Animation & Visual Effects, and Simulation & Immersive Technologies.
Sydney CBD Campus
[edit]UNSW has setup a new CBD campus in 2025, located at Level 4 Poly Centre, 210 George Street, Sydney spanning 1,622 square metres (17,460 sq ft) across 2 levels, currently operating as a pilot.[40] During the pilot phase, students and staff have access to areas supporting flexible, collaborative learning.
Randwick Campus
[edit]The Randwick campus is located at 22-32 King Street, Randwick, New South Wales.[41] It also houses the UNSW Medicine's National Drug and Alcohol Research Centre.
Manly Vale Northern Beaches Campus
[edit]The Manly Value campus is located at 110 King St, Manly Vale, New South Wales in the Northern Beaches and hosts the School of Civil and Environmental Engineering's Water Research Laboratory.[42]
Canberra Campus
[edit]UNSW Canberra at ADFA (formerly known as UNSW at ADFA),[43] abbreviated to UNSW Canberra, is situated in Canberra. Its students are from the military academy known as ADFA, who are in training for the Australian Defence Force, and as such has an integrated defence focus, with particular strengths in defence-related, security and engineering research.[44]
Venues and other facilities
[edit]
A number of theatre and music venues are at the university, many of which are available for hire to the general public. The UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre provides health and fitness facilities and services to both students and the general public.[45][46]
Governance and structure
[edit]University Council
[edit]
The university is governed by the university council, which is responsible for acting on the university's behalf to promote its objectives and interests.[47] The council comprises 15 members, including the chancellor, vice-chancellor, president of the academic board, two members appointed by the minister for education, five members appointed by the council, three members elected by university staff and two student-elected members.[48]
The principal academic body is the Academic Board, which receives advice on academic matters from the faculties, college (Australian Defence Force Academy), and the boards of studies.[49] It is responsible for academic policy setting, academic strategy via its eight standing committees, approval and delivery of programs, and academic standards.[49] The board comprises 63 members, including the Vice-Chancellor, members of the executive team, deans and faculty presiding members, members elected from the academic staff, and six from the student body.[50] The board advises the vice-chancellor and council on matters relating to teaching, scholarship and research and takes decisions on delegation from the council.
Chancellor and Vice-Chancellor
[edit]The chief executive officer of the university is the president and vice-chancellor,[51] currently Attila Brungs. The deputy vice-chancellors and pro-vice-chancellors form part of an executive team that are responsible for academic operations, research policy, research management, quality assurance and external relations, including philanthropy and advancement.[49][52]
Each of the faculties has its respective board, which are responsible for the teaching and examining of subjects within their scope.[53]
Faculties and departments
[edit]As of 2025[update] the university has six faculties:[54]
- Arts, Design & Architecture (includes six schools and six research centres)[55][56]
- Schools: Art & Design; Arts & Media; Built Environment; Education; Humanities & Languages; and Social Sciences[56]
- Business (UNSW Business School)[57]
- Engineering
- Law and Justice
- Medicine & Health
- Science
- UNSW Canberra, which includes the new (since late 2024[58]) UNSW Canberra City campus as well as the long-established UNSW at ADFA campus (since 1967, as official education provider for Australian Defence Force[59])[60]
The university also has an association with the National Institute of Dramatic Art.[citation needed]
-
Anita B. Lawrence Centre, housing Built Environment
-
UNSW Business School
-
Electrical Engineering Building
-
Law Building
-
Wallace Wurth Building, housing Medicine & Health
-
Hilmer Building and Science & Engineering Building
Insignia
[edit]Coat of arms
[edit]The grant of arms was made by the College of Arms on 3 March 1952. The grant reads:
- Argent on a Cross Gules a Lion passant guardant between four Mullets of eight points Or a Chief Sable charged with an open Book proper thereon the word "SCIENTIA" in letters also sable.[61]
The lion and the four stars of the Southern Cross on the St George's Cross have reference to the State of New South Wales which established the university; the open book with scientia ("knowledge") across its pages is a reminder of its purpose. The placement of scientia on the book was inspired by its appearance on the arms of Imperial College London, formed in 1907. Beneath the shield are the Latin words within a scroll: "Corde Manu et Mente" ("heart, hand and mind"), which when combined with scientia forms the Latin motto of the university: Scientia Corde Manu et Mente or 'Knowledge by heart, hand and mind'.
The original motto of the university, from 1952 was Scientia Manu et Mente ("Knowledge by hand and mind"), which used the earlier motto of the Sydney Technical College (Manu et Mente or 'by hand and mind') from which the university developed.[62] In 2021, the motto was changed, with approval from the College of Arms, to its current form to reflect the university's brand concept of 'collective difference'.[63] Following the rules of English heraldry, the motto does not form part of the arms and consequently the alteration did not formally require approval of the College of Arms.
An update of the design and colours of the arms was undertaken in 1970, which provided a more contemporary design, yet retained all the arms' heraldic associations. In 1994, the university title was added to the arms, as was the abbreviation "UNSW", to create the UNSW symbol that is used for everyday and marketing purposes.[62]
Market Branding
[edit]While its name remains unchanged, in late 2013, the university adopted the business name "UNSW Australia" for branding and marketing.[64] On 24 June 2016 the university registered and the business name "UNSW Sydney" which it adopted in January 2017 for branding and marketing of its Sydney campus and similarly registered and adopted the business name "UNSW Canberra" for its Australian Defence Force Academy campus in Campbell, ACT.[65]
Mace
[edit]The ceremonial mace of the university is made of stainless steel with silver facings and a shaft of eumung timber. On the head are mounted four silver shields, two engraved with the arms of the State of New South Wales and two with the original-design arms of the university. A silver Waratah, NSW's floral emblem, surmounts the head. The mace was donated to the university by BHP and was presented by the company's chairman, Colin Syme, on 6 December 1962.[66] A former NSW Government Architect, Cobden Parkes, was appointed as the first official mace-bearer.[67]
Academic profile
[edit]Research divisions
[edit]

The university has a number of purpose-built research facilities, including:
- UNSW Lowy Cancer Research Centre is Australia's first facility bringing together researchers in childhood and adult cancers, as well as one of the country's largest cancer-research facilities, housing up to 400 researchers.[26][27]
- The Mark Wainwright Analytical Centre is a centre for the faculties of science, medicine, and engineering. It is used to study the structure and composition of biological, chemical, and physical materials.
- UNSW Canberra Cyber is a cyber-security research and teaching centre.[44]
- The Sino-Australian Research Centre for Coastal Management (SARCCM) has a multidisciplinary focus, working collaboratively with the Ocean University of China in coastal management research.[44]
Academic reputation
[edit]| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| Global – Overall | |
| ARWU World[68] | 80 (2025) |
| CWTS World[69] | 38[a] (2024) |
| QS World[70] | 20 (2026) |
| QS Employability[71] | =29 (2022) |
| THE World[72] | 79 (2026) |
| THE Reputation[73] | =97 (2025) |
| USNWR Global[74] | 34 (25/26) |
| National – Overall | |
| ARWU National[75] | 5 (2025) |
| CWTS National[76] | 2[a] (2024) |
| ERA National[77] | 5 (2018) |
| QS National[78] | 2 (2026) |
| THE National[79] | 5 (2026) |
| USNWR National[80] | 3 (25/26) |
| AFR National[81] | 4 (2024) |
In the 2024 Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities, which measures aggregate performance across the QS, THE and ARWU rankings, the university attained a position of #51 (4th nationally).[82]
- National publications
In the Australian Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2024, the university was ranked #4 amongst Australian universities.[83]
- Global publications
In the 2026 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2025), the university attained a position of #20 (2nd nationally).[84]
In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026 (published 2025), the university attained a =position of #79 (5th nationally).[85]
In the 2025 Academic Ranking of World Universities, the university attained a position of #80 (5th nationally).[86]
In the 2025–2026 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, the university attained a position of #34 (3rd nationally).[87]
In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024,[a] the university attained a position of #38 (2nd nationally).[88]
Student outcomes
[edit]The Australian Government's QILT[b] conducts national surveys documenting the student life cycle from enrolment through to employment.[89] These surveys place more emphasis on criteria such as student experience, graduate outcomes and employer satisfaction[89] than perceived reputation, research output and citation counts.[90]
In the 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, graduates of the university had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 85.5%.[91]
In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates of the university had a full-time employment rate of 81.3% for undergraduates and 91.7% for postgraduates.[92] The initial full-time salary was A$75,000 for undergraduates and A$120,000 for postgraduates.[92]
In the 2023 Student Experience Survey, undergraduates at the university rated the quality of their entire educational experience at 71.7% meanwhile postgraduates rated their overall education experience at 78%.[93]
Engagement with schools
[edit]UNSW engages with primary and secondary education, administering several national and international academic competitions for school age children. These include:
- The Australian Schools Science Competition – International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) is conducted by Educational Assessment Australia, UNSW Global Pty Limited.
- International Competitions and Assessments for Schools-Mathematics – International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS). From 2003 to 2005, ICAS-Mathematics was called Australasian Schools Mathematics Assessment. Prior to 2003, it was known as the Primary Schools Mathematics Competition and was targeted at primary schools.
- The UNSW School Mathematics Competition[94] – Since 1962, the School of Mathematics and Statistics has run the UNSW School Mathematics Competition. This competition is a three-hour open book Olympiad-style exam designed to assess mathematical insight and ingenuity rather than efficiency in tackling routine examples. Competition results are used as part of the assessment criteria for some university scholarships awarded by the UNSW School of Mathematics and Statistics.
- The UNSW COMPUTING ProgComp[95] – Since 1997, The School of Computer Science and Engineering (UNSW COMPUTING) has run the UNSW COMPUTING ProgComp. This competition has the overall aim of raising awareness amongst high school students of the craft of programming and to encourage students to develop and apply their computing knowledge and skills.
- The UNSW COMPUTING Robotics Workshops[96] – UNSW School of Computer Science and Engineering (UNSW COMPUTING) has developed specialised robotic workshops for school students. They focus on the use of the Lego NXT technology combined with the popular RoboCup Junior competition for schools. UNSW COMPUTING is also a national and NSW state sponsor of RoboCup Junior.
Educational Assessment Australia
[edit]Educational Assessment Australia (EAA) is a not-for-profit organisation previously owned by the University of New South Wales. It was acquired by Janison Education Group on 31 May 2020. It is a national and international educational assessment organisation specialising in large-scale assessment programs including the International Competitions and Assessments for Schools (ICAS) in Australia, New Zealand, Asia, India, South Africa and the Pacific region. EAA also provides scanning, data analysis and reporting services to commercial and educational institutions.
Admissions
[edit]Entry to a particular undergraduate degree program for domestic students generally requires a certain Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, which varies by course. Some programs also take into account, in addition to a particular ATAR mark, performance in specialised tests, such as the Undergraduate Medicine and Health Sciences Admission Test for medicine and the Law Admission Test for law.
In 2017, UNSW enrolled the highest number of Australia's top 500 high school students academically.[97]
In 2019, UNSW had the most first preferences for high school students in the state of New South Wales.[98]
The university offers a bonus points scheme, "HSC Plus", which awards up to a maximum of 5 points for performance in year 12 Australian Senior Secondary Certificate courses relevant to UNSW undergraduate degrees.[99] The scheme does not apply to actuarial studies, law, medicine or psychology.[99]
UNSW offers several scholarships and support programs to high achieving students. The Co-op program is a scholarship and industry engagement program awarded to students across many programs in the built environment, engineering, science and the Australian School of Business.[100] Students usually enter the program after an application and interview while in their final year of high school. The university also offers Scientia Scholarships to a number of commencing students who performed exceptionally in the Higher School Certificate, which provide funding of $10,000 per year for the duration of the student's program.[101] This is different from the Scientia PhD scholarship, which awards PhD scholarship with a package of $50,000 per annum, comprising a tax-free living allowance of $40,000 per annum for 4 years, and a support package of up to $10,000 per annum.[102][103]
UNSW also offers a mature age entry scheme, the University Preparation Program for students aged 20 or older, that can provide the requirements for entry into UNSW or other universities.[104]
Student life
[edit]Student union
[edit]


Arc @ UNSW Limited is the student organisation at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) and is a not-for-profit public company.
In 2005, the Federal Parliament passed legislation making membership of student unions voluntary for the first time. This policy, known as voluntary student unionism (VSU), threatened the funding model behind the four UNSW student organisations with compulsory membership provisions. A report commissioned by the university administration recommended that three of those organisations – the Student Guild of Undergraduates and Postgraduates, the University of New South Wales Union and the College of Fine Arts Students' Association – merge into a single student organisation, a structure in use at the University of Melbourne.[105] Arc was established on 15 August 2006 and launched early the following year, taking over the functions of three existing student organisations, the UNSW Student Guild, UNSW Union, and COFA Students' Association.[106]
The organisation supports the activities of student clubs, student volunteer programs such as orientation week, student publications, two student galleries (Kudos Gallery and AD Space), and houses an elected student representative council. Arc operates the Roundhouse entertainment venue, the Graduation & Gift Store on UNSW's main campus in Kensington, and until recently, The Whitehouse bar and café which shut down permanently on 23 April 2021.[107] Arc also operates a student support service, providing legal and academic advocacy. Arc@UNSW exists independently from UNSW.
Arc has three constitutional student bodies:
- the Student Development Committee (SDC) – supporting clubs, volunteer programs, courses and activities,[108]
- the Postgraduate Council (PGC) – representing the postgraduate community at UNSW[109] and
- an elected Student Representative Council (SRC)[110]
The student organisation is a major service provider on campus, running a number of retail outlets, student media such as Tharunka and an entertainment venue, the Roundhouse. The Arc Student Representative Council represents students to the university and nationally and fights for their rights. Arc also provides support and funding to university clubs and societies and runs student volunteer programs such as Orientation Week.
In 2007, the University of New South Wales Sports Association[111] and UNSW Lifestyle Centre merged to become UNSW Sport and Recreation then later absorbed into Arc @ UNSW to become Arc Sport. It runs the external sporting facilities and services and supports the 30 UNSW affiliated sporting clubs that compete both at home and abroad.
Student media
[edit]Blitz
[edit]Blitz is a student publication, published online by Arc @ UNSW, based at the University of New South Wales.[112] Blitz under this name first appeared in session 2, 1988, but a similar "what's on" style publication had been issued by the then University Union since the early 1970s. Initially it consisted of a simple sheet or two of paper, but it evolved into a magazine style format in session two 1994[113] when a former editor from another student publication on campus, Tharunka, was hired to found a weekly "what's on" magazine. Blitz sometimes pays casual contributors for submitted articles and photographs, and employs a student online editor, a student designer, a student TV producer and a student radio producer.
Blitz typically covers the goings-on around campus and conducts interviews and publishes stories relating to current student activities. It widely publicises Arc services and activities on campus. Due to its non-partisan policy, it does not cover political issues, with the exception of voluntary student unionism. However, in 2004 an edition of Blitz was withdrawn by the student union because it contained a guide to rolling a joint. The editor Janet Duncan claimed there had been censorship of her editorial in the following issue.[114] Arc @ UNSW announced that the organisation would continue to publish the magazine after the introduction of voluntary student unionism in 2007.[115]
Gamamari
[edit]Tharunka, thought to mean "message stick" in an Aboriginal language, is a student newspaper originally published by the UNSW Students Union from 1953 until 1992, when that body was replaced by the University of New South Wales Student Guild. The Guild published Tharunka from 1993 until 2006 and the successor student organisation, Arc @ UNSW Limited, continued the publication of Tharunka from 2007. The publication changed its name in mid-2024 to Gamamari, meaning “talking for a purpose” in the Dharawal Language.[116]
Noise@UNSW
[edit]Noise@UNSW is an independent student publication established in early 2024, following the shutdown of Tharunka, with the aim of fostering a more informed student body.[117][118] Noise publishes articles weekly on their website and Instagram page, focusing on university news, student politics and activism, student journalism, and other issues that affect students,[119] as well as running a twice-monthly podcast called Make Some Noise. Noise@UNSW also produces print editions distributed to students on campus featuring student writings and art.[120]
Due to its independent nature, Noise@UNSW is run by an entirely volunteer editorial team and relies on donations.[118][121] All current UNSW students are able to publish their works in Noise.[122]
Student accommodation
[edit]The university has a number of residential accommodation options, including Philip Baxter College, Basser College, Goldstein College, Fig Tree Hall, Colombo House, UNSW Hall, International House, New College and New College Village, Warrane College; Shalom College, and Creston College, and UNSW Village.
Exchange programs
[edit]The university has overseas exchange programs with over 250 overseas partner institutions. These include Princeton University, McGill University, Penn State University, University of Pennsylvania (inc. Wharton), Duke University, Drexel University, Johns Hopkins University, Brown University, Columbia University (summer law students only), University of California Berkeley, University of California Santa Cruz (inc. Baskin), UCLA, University of Michigan (inc. Ross), New York University (inc. Stern), University of Virginia, Mississippi State University, Cornell University, University of Connecticut, Alfred University, University of Texas at Austin (inc. McCombs), Maastricht University, University of Padua, University College London (law students only), University of Nottingham, Imperial College London, London School of Economics and ETH Zurich.[123]
Student projects
[edit]
Students of the university are involved in a number of projects, including:
- AtomCraft[124][125] aims to deliver the first fusion tokamak entirely designed, built and operated by students.[126] Started in 2024, aims to complete the first iteration of the device by 2027.
- Sunswift Solar Racing Team, who hold the FIA world record for the fastest electric car over a 500 kilometres (310 mi) distance[127] and whose car Sunswift 7 won the 2023 Bridgestone World Solar Challenge Cruiser Class.[128]
- rUNSWift,[129] the university's team in the international RoboCup Standard Platform League competition, is the most successful[citation needed] team in the world with wins in 2000, 2001, 2003 and 2014 as well as coming second in 1999, 2002, 2006 and 2010.
- BLUEsat Satellite (development in progress)
- Impact Engineers[130] are a group of cross disciplinary humanitarian engineers aspiring to make a difference to the world's developing communities. Impact Engineers currently focus their efforts in rural Sri Lanka however over the next three to five years, they will expand to launch projects across multiple developing countries
- UNSW Redback Racing[131] UNSW's entrant into the SAE-Australasia Formula SAE-A Competition (National winners in 2000)
- The MAVSTAR[132] (Micro Aerial Vehicles for Search, Tracking And Reconnaissance) project to develop a team of cooperative micro aerial and unmanned ground vehicles.
- The Developing Country Project[133] Second year thesis students doing Photovoltaic and Renewable Energy Engineering are able to get involved. The project aims to assist villagers in developing countries to gain access to electricity to satisfy their energy needs in a clean and sustainable manner.
- iGEM (International Genetically Engineered Machine) a worldwide synthetic biology competition. BABS UNSW entered their first team in 2015.
UNSW College
[edit]UNSW College, also known as UNSW Global "UNSW Global Pty Limited", is a not-for-profit provider of education, training and consulting services and a wholly owned enterprise of the University of New South Wales. It provides exams for students in Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Brunei, Malaysia, South Africa, Indonesia, Hong Kong, India and the Pacific region. It caters to students from year 3 (Australia) through year 12, examining skills in English, mathematics, science, computers, writing and spelling. It is a wholly owned non-profit subsidiary of UNSW.[134]
Notable people
[edit]Notable alumni
[edit]Notable alumni include:
Politicians
[edit]- Scott Morrison, 30th Prime Minister of Australia
- Gladys Berejiklian, 45th Premier of New South Wales
- Bob Carr, former Minister of Foreign Affairs and 39th Premier of New South Wales
- Sussan Ley, Leader of the Liberal Party
- Robert McClelland, former attorney-general of Australia
- Kerry Nettle, Australian Greens senator
- Campbell Newman, 38th Premier of Queensland
- Marise Payne, senator for New South Wales and Minister for Foreign Affairs
- Lucy Turnbull, former Lord Mayor of Sydney and wife of the 29th Prime Minister of Australia
Others
[edit]- Kathryn Campbell, disgraced former Australian public servant and a former senior officer in the Australian Army Reserve
- Solina Chau, billionaire businesswoman in Hong Kong[135]
- Mark Bouris, CEO of Yellow Brick Road and television personality
- Mike Cannon-Brookes, CEO of software company Atlassian
- Roger Corbett, former chairman of the Reserve Bank of Australia
- Glyn Davis, vice-chancellor of the University of Melbourne
- John Deeble, architect of Medicare
- Kathryn Fagg AO (M.Com.), chair of the CSIRO from 2021[136][137]
- Richard Ferrero, microbiologist
- Tim Flannery, mammalogist, palaeontologist, activist and author
- Peter Garrett, rock musician, former federal politician
- Shaun Gladwell, visual artist
- Rebel Wilson, actress, writer, director
- Karl Kruszelnicki, scientist and media presenter ("Dr Karl")
- Bob Bellear, first Indigenous judge
- Charlie Teo, neurosurgeon
- David James, former head of diabetes and obesity at the Garvan Institute of Medical Research
- Betty Kitchener, founder of mental health first aid
- King Tupou VI of Tonga
- Jacqueline McKenzie, prominent Australian film, stage and television actress
- Prince Mak, idol group member of Korean boyband JJCC
- Hamid Mirzadeh, Iranian politician and academic, third president of the Islamic Azad University
- Glenn Murcutt, architect
- Anne-Marie Schwirtlich, director-general of the National Library of Australia
- David Wong Dak Wah, chief judge of the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak
- King Vajiralongkorn of Thailand
- Mark Taylor, former captain of the Australian cricket team
- Mitchell Butel, actor and director
- Kerry Chant, medical doctor, NSW Chief Health Officer
- Pranav Mohanlal, actor Malayalam film industry and son of superstar Mohanlal.
UNSW has produced more millionaires than any other Australian university, according to the Spear's Wealth Management Survey in 2016.[138][139]
Engineers Australia ranked UNSW as having the highest number of graduates in "Australia's Top 100 Influential Engineers 2013" list at 23%, followed by Monash University at 8%, the University of Western Australia, University of Sydney and the University of Queensland at 7%.[140]
Controversies
[edit]In 1975, the High Court of Australia delivered the decision in University of NSW v Moorhouse that UNSW authorised copyright infringement by providing coin operated photocopy machines, without taking proper measures to prevent an infringement. As a result, the Copyright Act 1968 was amended to state that libraries are not authorising copyright infringement if a notice is set out that displays relevant provision of the Act near the photocopy machine.[141]
On 19 April 2000, postgraduate student Lin Chun was crushed on campus by an unmanned truck that rolled down a slope. She later died on campus as a result of her injuries. The university denied liability over the accident.[142][143]
In 2007, UNSW opened a campus in Singapore following an invitation by Singapore's Economic Development Board to open a campus. However, one semester later, students and staff were sent home, and the campus was closed due to lack of enrolments, resulting in a loss of $15 million to the university.[28][144]
In February 2007, UNSW publicly apologised after a police probe revealed that bodies donated to train surgeons were possibly fondled by a member of the staff, resulting in the sacking of one staff member and another staff member quitting.[145]
In July 2009, a field trip organised by the School of Biological Earth and Environmental Sciences near Darling Harbour resulted in a research assistant losing control of an inflatable vessel while performing a turn causing three passengers who were not wearing lifejackets, to fall off, including one that suffered from a broken wrist and severe injuries to her leg. In 2013, the university was fined $100,000 after the WorkCover Authority of New South Wales launched legal action.[146]
In 2012, PhD student Rui Zhang threw sulfuric acid at another student, before attacking him with a hammer inside a chemistry lab at the university. The judge later found Rui not guilty on grounds of mental illness.[147]
In October 2015, UNSW issued a security warning after an anonymous threat was made on 4chan, stating "I finally managed to get a handgun. Australians, if you study at UNSW don’t go in tomorrow", resulting in state and federal police swarming the campus the next morning.[148][149]
In January 2018, the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal held that UNSW had violated the Privacy and Personal Information Protection Act 1998 after a student had their PhD candidature terminated by the university. As a result, the student made a Government Information request, asking for their student file and reasons for termination to make a formal complaint against 19 university staff members. However, upon processing the request, a staff member leaked the complaint to individuals who were on the listed in the complaint.[150]
In August 2020, after the Chinese government cracked down on liberties in Hong Kong, the UNSW posted a tweet promoting a call by Elaine Pearson (a human rights expert and adjunct law lecturer at the university) for the United Nations to take steps on human rights violations in Hong Kong. Chinese state-owned media, as well as some Chinese students, responded with anger, and UNSW then deleted the tweet. The deletion of the tweet was condemned by many Australian Federal MPs as a violation of free-speech principles.[151][152][153] Chinese-Australian artist Badiucao also suggested that pro-democracy Chinese students were living in 'fear'. UNSW vice-chancellor Ian Jacobs issued an apology, saying that the decision to remove the tweet was a "mistake"; that the university was "does not take official political positions"; and that he "unequivocally" reaffirmed the university's "previous commitment to freedom of expression and academic freedom." The university came under fire for a Chinese-language message sent by UNSW Global's CEO, Laurie Pearcey, two days earlier. That message failed to make any mention of freedom of speech and did not describe the deletion of the post as a "mistake"; this prompted Federal MPs to accuse the university of sending mixed messages.[151]
In October 2021, UNSW launched an investigative review after claims of research misconduct on studies pertaining to ageing were made.[154] More than a dozen papers, co-authored by researchers at UNSW, along with other universities were published on PubPeer and found to have duplicated photos that had been modified to represent different experimental results. However, two years later, preliminary assessments of the allegations had not been completed, resulting in an investigation by the Australian Research Integrity Committee in 2023.[155]
In 2021, UNSW began remediating underpayments to casual academic staff for the period between January 2014 to December 2020,[156] setting aside more than $36 million to back-pay academics and had already paid $11 million by 2023.[157] In 2023, the Fair Work Ombudsman launched legal action against UNSW in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, alleging that UNSW had poor payroll practices and that UNSW "knew" that casual academics were being underpaid.[158]
See also
[edit]Footnotes
[edit]References
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Further reading
[edit]- Willis, A.H. (1983). The University of New South Wales: The Baxter Years. New South Wales University Press. ISBN 0-86840-057-2.
External links
[edit]- University of New South Wales – official website
- Official Chinese website
University of New South Wales
View on GrokipediaThe University of New South Wales (UNSW Sydney) is a public research university in Sydney, Australia, established in 1949 as the New South Wales University of Technology to meet postwar demands for applied sciences and engineering education.[1] Renamed the University of New South Wales in 1958, it evolved from a technical institute into a comprehensive university with seven faculties—Arts, Design & Architecture; Business; Engineering; Law & Justice; Medicine & Health; Science; and UNSW Canberra—encompassing bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs across STEM, humanities, and professional disciplines.[1][2] UNSW's main Kensington campus spans 38 hectares and supports interdisciplinary research, with particular strengths in quantum technologies, biotechnology, renewable energy, and public health.[3] The institution ranks 19th globally in the QS World University Rankings 2025 and leads Australia in research commercialization, topping national charts for university spinouts and startups for four consecutive years.[4][5] UNSW's innovations include pioneering solar vehicle projects like Sunswift and advancements in quantum computation through dedicated centers, contributing to Australia's technological edge.[3] Its graduates achieve high employability, with the university ranked first in Australia for employer reputation in graduate outcomes.[4] Defining characteristics encompass a focus on practical, industry-linked education and research translation, though it has encountered controversies such as investigations into research misconduct handling and surges in student academic dishonesty linked to AI tools.[6][7] These issues highlight broader challenges in maintaining integrity amid rapid technological change in academic settings.[8]
History
Establishment in 1949
The New South Wales University of Technology, precursor to the University of New South Wales, was formally established on 1 July 1949 through the proclamation of the Technical Education and New South Wales University of Technology Act 1949 (Act No. 11) by the Parliament of New South Wales.[9] [10] This legislation incorporated the institution as Australia's second university, distinct from the University of Sydney, with a mandate to prioritize technical, scientific, and professional education amid post-World War II industrial expansion and a shortage of trained engineers and scientists.[1] [11] The founding addressed the limitations of existing technical colleges and the University of Sydney's focus on classical disciplines, aiming to deliver applied higher education aligned with national reconstruction needs, including advanced training in emerging technologies.[1] Precursors traced to the Sydney Technical College, where initial degree-level courses commenced in 1948, enabling a seamless transition for the first cohort of approximately 500 students into the new university framework.[10] The inaugural council, chaired by Wallace Wurth as president, convened to oversee setup at the Kensington site, formerly used for technical education.[12] Under the first director, Arthur Denning (1949–1952), the university rapidly organized its core structure, establishing the initial faculties of Engineering, Applied Science, and Architecture to emphasize practical, research-informed curricula.[13] [14] This foundation reflected a deliberate policy shift toward utilitarian education, fostering innovation in fields critical to Australia's economic development, with the first graduations occurring in 1952.[1]Expansion Through the Mid-20th Century
Following its establishment as the New South Wales University of Technology in 1949 with a focus on engineering, applied sciences, and architecture, the institution underwent significant expansion in the 1950s. On 8 May 1950, the university council formalized its initial structure by creating the Faculties of Engineering, Applied Science, and Architecture.[10] Construction on the Kensington campus commenced with the laying of the foundation stone for the Old Main Building on 25 February 1950, marking the shift from temporary inner-city facilities to a dedicated site.[10] This building, opened on 16 April 1955, served as the first permanent structure and symbolized the university's growing physical infrastructure.[10] In 1958, the institution's name changed to the University of New South Wales, reflecting an evolution from a technology-centric model to a broader academic scope.[1] This transition accelerated in 1960 with the establishment of the Faculties of Arts and Medicine, diversifying offerings beyond technical fields and attracting a wider student base.[1] The period also saw specialized developments, such as the School of Textile Technology in 1955, enhancing applied research capabilities.[15] Infrastructure growth continued with the opening of The Roundhouse in 1961, a purpose-built student union facility that supported expanding campus life.[1] By the mid-1960s, these changes positioned UNSW as a key player in Australia's post-war higher education expansion, driven by federal government initiatives to increase university participation during the 1960s and 1970s.[16] The Kensington campus developed further with additional buildings and facilities, accommodating growth in enrollment and research activities, though exact student numbers reflected broader national trends of rapid increase from the initial cohort of 46 in 1948.[10] This era laid the foundation for UNSW's emergence as a comprehensive research university.Modern Developments and Strategic Shifts (2000s–2025)
In the 2000s, UNSW prioritized research commercialization and infrastructure growth, exemplified by the opening of New College Village as its first dedicated postgraduate residence in 2009.[17] Under Vice-Chancellor Ian Jacobs from 2015 to 2021, the university advanced its focus on translational research, including pioneering work in silicon solar cell efficiency records. This period saw substantial investments exceeding $450 million in research facilities and high-performance computing to support emerging technologies.[18] The appointment of Attila Brungs as Vice-Chancellor in 2022 marked a shift toward integrated societal impact, culminating in the launch of the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All in early 2025.[19] [20] This 10-year roadmap, extending to the university's 2049 centenary, emphasizes nine strategic pillars—five impact pathways and four focus areas—prioritizing education, research, and engagement for real-world outcomes like clean energy and healthier lifespans.[20] It integrates Indigenous knowledges via a Micro-Treaty framework and commits to resilience amid global challenges, building on prior visions such as the UNSW 2025 Strategy for innovation leadership.[21] [20] Infrastructure expansions accelerated, with the Randwick Campus Redevelopment injecting over $1.5 billion into health, education, and research facilities by 2025.[22] Construction began on the UNSW Canberra City campus in 2025, set to accommodate up to 5,000 students and enhance defense-related education.[23] [24] Chancellor David Gonski, serving 20 years until 2025, oversaw financial stability and institutional expansion during these developments.[25] Research outputs strengthened UNSW's profile, topping national rankings for university spinouts and startups for the fourth consecutive year in 2024 with 19 new companies in fields like solar cells and virtual health.[5] Initiatives in 2025 included 28 priority projects under the new strategy and an AI ecosystem to bolster capabilities.[26] These shifts reflect a pivot from traditional academic metrics to measurable societal contributions, supported by ongoing campus upgrades for sustainability.[27]Campuses and Infrastructure
Kensington Main Campus
The Kensington Main Campus is the principal site of the University of New South Wales, located in the suburb of Kensington within Sydney's eastern suburbs, approximately 12 kilometres southeast of the Sydney central business district. Spanning 38 hectares, it functions as a self-contained community comparable in scale to a small town, hosting the majority of the university's academic, research, and administrative activities. The campus is situated on the unceded territory of the Bedegal people.[28][29][30] Development of the Kensington site predates the university's establishment, with planning and land use changes documented from the 1890s onward, initially involving agricultural and institutional purposes before repurposing for higher education. The university was founded in 1949 specifically at this location, commencing operations with temporary accommodations amid post-World War II expansion needs for technical education. The first permanent structure, the Old Main Building, had its foundation stone laid on 25 February 1950 and was officially opened on 16 April 1955, marking the onset of structured campus infrastructure. Subsequent expansions through the mid-20th century included residential colleges such as Basser College (established 1959) and additional academic buildings, reflecting the institution's growth into a comprehensive research university.[31][10] The campus layout features distinct upper and lower sections connected by walkways, encompassing a mix of heritage and contemporary architecture, including the Quadrangle, libraries, and specialized facilities like laboratories and the Roundhouse performance venue. Key amenities support student life, such as sports fields, a gymnasium, swimming pool, medical services, retail outlets, and parking stations. Residential colleges, including Goldstein and Philip Baxter Colleges, provide on-campus housing for undergraduates, fostering community integration. Accessibility is enhanced by frequent UNSW shuttle services, with nearly 1,700 weekly routes connecting to Sydney's transport network.[30][32][33] Sustainability initiatives underscore the campus's modern ethos, guided by the UNSW Environmental Sustainability Plan 2022–2024, which emphasizes climate action, resource efficiency, and living campuses. Projects include a 15,000 cubic metre stormwater tank installed in 2023 to capture runoff from 17.5 hectares, recharging local aquifers and reducing flood risks; biodiversity enhancements via the Bush Tucker Trail transformation; and transitions to 100% solar renewable electricity for operations. These efforts align with broader goals of net-zero emissions and ecosystem conservation, integrating green spaces and active lifestyle supports across the site.[34][35][36]Specialized and Satellite Campuses
The Paddington campus, situated in Sydney's Paddington suburb amid a concentration of cultural and creative institutions, primarily hosts the UNSW School of Art & Design. This facility supports undergraduate, honours, and postgraduate programs in visual arts, design, animation, moving image, and art theory, fostering an environment integrated with industry and artistic communities.[37][28] UNSW Canberra operates as a key satellite campus, with its main site at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) in the Campbell suburb of Canberra, roughly 5 km from the city center and adjacent to defence establishments like the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Established through a partnership emphasizing the fusion of academic rigor and military training, it accommodates approximately 300 trainee officers each year and specializes in disciplines related to defence, security capabilities, technological innovation, and leadership development. A secondary UNSW Canberra City Precinct, located in the Parliamentary Triangle, extends these offerings to broader postgraduate and research-focused programs, enhancing regional innovation in public policy and engineering.[38][28] Additional specialized sites include a pilot Sydney CBD campus, a modern urban facility limited to scheduled students and staff, designed to supplement core offerings with city-centric professional development in fields like business and law. In regional New South Wales, UNSW supports targeted outposts such as those in Port Macquarie, which deliver rural clinical medical training through the Rural Clinical School and host research in renewable energy, addressing workforce shortages and regional educational equity with programs enrolling medical students for extended placements.[28][39]Facilities, Sustainability Initiatives, and Recent Expansions
The Kensington campus hosts key facilities such as the Main Library, which provides spaces for independent study, reading, group work, and access to digital resources.[40] Additional libraries support specialized needs across disciplines.[41] Sports and recreation infrastructure includes the UNSW Fitness and Aquatic Centre, featuring indoor pools, badminton and basketball courts, a gym, and fitness classes for diverse abilities.[42] The Arc manages outdoor facilities like synthetic and grass fields for AFL, cricket, football, futsal, hockey, and tennis courts, alongside a Village Green for casual activities.[43] Research and teaching facilities encompass specialized laboratories, computing centers, and innovation hubs such as the Michael Crouch Innovation Centre, enabling hands-on engineering and technology projects.[27] Accommodation options like self-catered residences with study rooms and 24-hour security further support campus life.[44] UNSW's sustainability efforts are guided by the Environmental Sustainability Plan 2022-24, which sets targets for reducing environmental impact through campus operations and research integration.[45] A updated plan emphasizes electrifying campus infrastructure, implementing sustainable practices in laboratory spaces, and expanding onsite solar photovoltaic capacity to lower emissions.[46] The 2025 Strategy aligns with these by envisioning a sustainable campus model for teaching and operations.[47] Strategic Pillar 6 commits to net-zero emissions by 2050, alongside roadmaps for nature-positive restoration of 30% of ecosystems, 30% waste reduction, and climate resilience planning.[48] Developments like the D14 project target 6-star Green Star certification for construction and operations, supporting broader decarbonization goals.[49] Recent expansions include construction starting in October 2025 on the UNSW Canberra City campus, a $1 billion project delivering teaching, research, retail, and industry partnership spaces for up to 5,000 students in fields like defence, cybersecurity, AI, and climate studies.[50] [24] In Kensington, a $171 million, eleven-storey Education Building was proposed in May 2025 to enhance teaching capacity.[51] UNSW also initiated occupancy of new community-focused space in Campbelltown in September 2025 to address local needs through faculty outreach.[52] Ongoing campus development encompasses new buildings, infrastructure upgrades, and green space enhancements to adapt to evolving space demands via the Future Campus initiative.[27] [53]Governance and Administration
University Council and Leadership Roles
The University of New South Wales Council serves as the primary governing body of the university, established under the University of New South Wales Act 1989, which vests it with responsibility for promoting the university's objectives and interests, including strategic oversight, policy approval, and financial management.[54] The Council operates through a committee structure, supported by the Academic Board and faculty boards, with authority derived from the Act, associated by-laws, and university rules.[55] It consists of a minimum of 11 and a maximum of 22 members, with the current composition totaling 15, comprising diverse expertise from internal stakeholders and external appointees to ensure balanced representation.[56][57] Council membership is categorized into official members, ministerial appointments, members appointed by the Council itself, and elected representatives. Official members include the Chancellor, Vice-Chancellor, and President of the Academic Board. Ministerial appointments, made by the New South Wales Minister for Education, bring external perspectives, such as from legal or community sectors. Council-appointed members are selected for their professional skills in areas like business or industry. Elected members consist of academic staff (two), professional staff (one), and students (one postgraduate and one undergraduate), ensuring staff and student input into governance. Terms vary, typically three to five years, with provisions for gender balance, inclusion of First Peoples representatives, and rotation to maintain fresh perspectives.[58][59] Key leadership roles within the Council and university executive include the Chancellor, who presides over Council meetings, represents the university externally, and performs ceremonial duties. David Gonski AC has held this position, with his term concluding in April 2025.[58] The Deputy Chancellor, currently Warwick Negus, assists the Chancellor and assumes duties in their absence, with a term ending in September 2025.[58] The Vice-Chancellor and President, as chief executive officer, manages day-to-day operations, academic leadership, and implementation of Council policies; Professor Attila Brungs FTSE FRNS assumed this role on 31 January 2022, bringing prior experience as Vice-Chancellor of the University of Technology Sydney and expertise in chemistry and consulting.[19][58] These roles collectively ensure accountability, with the Vice-Chancellor reporting to the Council on performance metrics and strategic initiatives.[55]Faculty and School Structure
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) is organized into seven faculties, each encompassing multiple schools that deliver undergraduate, postgraduate coursework, and higher degree research programs, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.[2] This structure supports UNSW's emphasis on applied research and industry partnerships, with faculties reporting to the Vice-Chancellor and managed by deans who oversee academic operations, budgets, and strategic initiatives.[60] Schools within faculties specialize in disciplinary areas, often integrating teaching with research centers to address practical challenges in fields like engineering and health sciences.[61] The faculties are: Arts, Design & Architecture; UNSW Business School; Engineering; Law & Justice; Medicine & Health; Science; and UNSW Canberra (located at the Australian Defence Force Academy).[2] Each faculty maintains autonomy in curriculum development and resource allocation, subject to university-wide policies on quality assurance and equity. For example, the Faculty of Engineering, ranked first in Australia, comprises eight schools including those in biomedical, chemical, civil and environmental, computer science, electrical engineering, materials science, mechanical and manufacturing, and photovoltaic technologies.[61] Similarly, the Faculty of Medicine & Health includes five schools covering clinical medicine, population health, health sciences, optometry and vision science, and health data science, with affiliations to teaching hospitals across Sydney and rural New South Wales.[62]| Faculty | Key Schools (Examples) | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Design & Architecture | Art & Design; Built Environment; Education; Humanities & Languages; Media; Social Sciences | Integrates creative and social disciplines with emphasis on urban planning and media innovation.[63] |
| UNSW Business School | Accounting, Auditing & Taxation; Banking & Finance; Economics; Management & Governance; Marketing; Risk & Actuarial Studies | Focuses on analytics-driven business education with strong employer networks.[64] |
| Engineering | Aviation; Biomedical Engineering; Chemical Engineering; Civil & Environmental Engineering; Computer Science & Engineering; Electrical Engineering & Telecommunications; Materials Science & Engineering; Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering | Leads in renewable energy and quantum computing research outputs.[65] |
| Law & Justice | Law; Criminology & Criminal Justice; Social & Political Sciences (cross-faculty links) | Emphasizes practical legal training through moot courts and policy clinics.[66] |
| Medicine & Health | Clinical Medicine; Health Sciences; Optometry & Vision Science; Population Health; Women's & Children's Health | Partners with nine major hospitals for clinical training.[62] |
| Science | Aviation (shared); Biotechnology & Biomolecular Sciences; Chemistry; Mathematics & Statistics; Materials Science (shared); Physics | Top 50 globally for natural sciences, with strengths in quantum and climate research.[67] |
| UNSW Canberra | Business; Engineering & Information Systems; Humanities & Social Sciences; Physical, Environmental & Mathematical Sciences | Military-focused education with the lowest student-to-staff ratio in Australia.[68] |
Policy Frameworks, Reforms, and Financial Oversight
UNSW's Policy Framework establishes processes for developing, communicating, implementing, reviewing, and monitoring university-wide policy documents, including rules, codes, policies, standards, procedures, and guidelines that reflect core values and legal obligations.[70][71] This framework fosters a culture of integrity, accountability, and trust, with centralized oversight via the Policy Hub and an A-Z browseable collection covering areas such as finance, delegations, risk management, information governance, and cyber security.[72][73][74] Strategic reforms at UNSW have emphasized alignment with broader institutional goals, including the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All launched in 2025, which outlines 28 priority initiatives across social impact, academic excellence, and translational research to drive measurable progress over the next decade.[75][26] Targeted policies include the Access and Equity (Students) Strategy 2020–2025, focusing on inclusive pathways like the Aspire program, and the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy 2022–2025, integrated into the 2025 pillars to address representation and support.[76][77] These reforms occur amid sector-wide scrutiny, with UNSW submitting evidence to federal inquiries affirming adherence to the NSW Higher Education Act 2001 and advocating for strong internal controls amid calls for enhanced transparency in Australian university governance.[78][79] Financial oversight involves annual audited financial statements prepared under Australian Accounting Standards and independently verified by the NSW Auditor-General or delegates, ensuring compliance with statutory reporting requirements.[78] The NSW Audit Office performs financial audits of UNSW and other public universities, reporting unqualified opinions for the years ended 31 December 2023 and 2024, with emphasis on internal controls, revenue recognition, and asset management.[80][81] As a Table A provider under the Higher Education Support Act 2003, UNSW receives Commonwealth funding subject to performance monitoring by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency (TEQSA), which enforces standards for financial viability and governance integrity.[82] Annual reports, such as the 2024 edition marking the university's 75th anniversary, detail revenue streams—including tuition fees exceeding AUD 1.5 billion—and expenditures on research and infrastructure, with no material weaknesses noted in recent audits.[83]Academic Profile
Programs, Admissions, and Entry Standards
The University of New South Wales offers undergraduate, postgraduate coursework, and higher degree research programs across seven faculties: Arts, Design & Architecture; Business; Engineering; Law & Justice; Medicine & Health; Science; and UNSW Canberra.[2] Undergraduate degrees include bachelor's programs such as the Bachelor of Engineering, Bachelor of Commerce, Bachelor of Science, and Bachelor of Arts, spanning disciplines like architecture, data technology, engineering, and humanities.[84] Postgraduate options encompass master's degrees, graduate diplomas, and doctoral programs, with coursework-focused offerings in areas including business administration, engineering, and public health, alongside research-intensive PhDs.[85] Admissions for domestic undergraduate students are processed through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC), where applicants submit preferences and are ranked primarily by Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) or equivalent qualifications.[86] International undergraduate applicants apply directly via the UNSW website, with offers prioritized by academic merit in designated rounds, requiring submission of transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and sometimes portfolios or interviews for creative programs.[87] Postgraduate admissions, for both domestic and international students, evaluate prior bachelor's degree completion, grade point average (GPA), and relevant work experience where specified, with applications handled directly through UNSW or UAC for certain coursework programs.[88] Entry standards for undergraduate domestic applicants center on ATAR scores, which vary by program; for Term 1, 2025 intake, competitive courses like Commerce and Engineering typically require ATARs above 90, with medians often exceeding 95, while less selective programs such as Arts or Design may accept scores from the low 80s.[86] International equivalents include International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma scores of 30-37, GCE A-Levels with grades AAA-BBB, or country-specific secondary certificates meeting UNSW benchmarks, alongside English requirements like IELTS 6.5 overall (no band below 6.0).[89] Postgraduate entry generally demands a bachelor's degree with a credit average (GPA around 65% or equivalent), though flagship programs in Medicine or Law impose higher thresholds, such as specific prerequisite courses or Graduate Australian Medical School Admissions Test (GAMSAT) scores.[88] UNSW's Gateway Admission Pathway provides adjusted ATARs (typically 10-15 points lower) for eligible students from targeted high schools, aiming to broaden access without altering core academic criteria.[90]| Program Area | Typical Minimum ATAR (Domestic, 2025 Intake) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Engineering | 90+ | Higher for specializations like Aerospace; includes adjustment factors for subjects.[86] |
| Commerce/Business | 93+ | Median often 96; bonuses for Mathematics.[86] |
| Science | 80-85 | Varies by major; Honours pathways integrated.[86] |
| Arts/Humanities | 80+ | Flexible entry with subject prerequisites.[86] |
| Medicine (via BMS/MBBS) | ATAR 96+ plus UCAT | Interview and aptitude tests required.[86] |
Research Divisions, Outputs, and Funding
UNSW conducts research through its seven faculties—Arts, Design & Architecture; Business; Engineering; Law & Justice; Medicine & Health; Science; and UNSW Canberra—spanning 45 schools and 56 dedicated research centres and institutes that emphasize interdisciplinary collaboration. The Research and Enterprise Division, led by the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Prof. Bronwyn Fox as of 2024), oversees strategy, with additional support from the Pro Vice-Chancellor, Research (Prof. Dane McCamey).[83] Notable centres include the UNSW Nuclear Innovation Centre, focusing on advanced nuclear technologies, and the Disability Innovation Institute, addressing intellectual disability health through partnerships like the National Centre of Excellence in Intellectual Disability Health.[83] Research priorities align with societal challenges, such as the Indigenous Research Plan's four pillars: governance, community engagement, Indigenous researcher capacity-building, and global knowledge exchange.[83] Research outputs encompass high-volume publications, citations, intellectual property, and real-world applications. In 2024, UNSW researchers produced outputs including 7,580 joint publications involving collaborators from 190 countries, representing 59.1% of total publications.[83] Citation impact is evidenced by 29 Highly Cited Researchers recognized by Clarivate Analytics in 2024, placing UNSW among global leaders in fields like quantum computing and sustainable energy.[83] Patent activity reached 66 applications filed in 2024, contributing to a net book value of intellectual property at $1.399 million, with additions of $2.047 million offset by $399,000 in amortization.[83] Broader impact includes top global rankings, such as second for Climate Action (SDG 13) and third for Clean Water and Sanitation (SDG 6) in the Times Higher Education Impact Rankings 2024, alongside initiatives like the Yuwaya Ngarra-li partnership yielding over 460 outcomes from 2020–2023, including $233,000 in fine debt relief for Aboriginal communities and a 32% reduction in youth court appearances.[83] Funding supports this ecosystem, with total research revenue rising to $583.1 million in 2024 from $567.6 million in 2023, drawn from competitive grants, contracts, and partnerships.[83] Major sources include the Australian Research Council (ARC), providing $85 million across 108 grants in 2024, such as $41 million for 64 Discovery Projects announced November 2024 and $4.6 million for nine Linkage Grants in June 2025 emphasizing industry ties.[83][91][92] The National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) awarded $117.9 million for 72 grants, including $27 million for Ideas and Development Grants in December 2024, while the Medical Research Future Fund contributed $60.7 million across 23 projects.[83][93] Consultancy and contract research generated $190.7 million, supplemented by $102.4 million in philanthropy from 3,057 donors and state government non-capital grants of $47.5 million.[83] Subsidiaries like NewSouth Innovations commercialize outputs, with equity stakes in ventures such as Silicon Quantum Computing (30%) driving translation.[83]Global Rankings, Reputation, and Graduate Outcomes
In major global university rankings, the University of New South Wales (UNSW) placed 20th worldwide in the QS World University Rankings 2026, maintaining its position in the top 20 for the third consecutive year, driven by strengths in academic reputation, employer reputation, and employment outcomes.[94] In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, UNSW ranked 79th globally, an improvement of four places from the prior year, with notable performance in employability (1st in Australia and 29th worldwide) and industry income.[95] [96] The U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities ranking positioned UNSW at 34th overall.[97] These rankings incorporate metrics such as research output, citations, international outlook, and survey-based assessments of academic and employer perceptions, though reputation scores can reflect established prestige rather than solely objective measures like publication impact.[98] UNSW's reputation among academics and employers remains robust, particularly in QS evaluations where it scored highly in academic reputation (contributing 30% to the overall QS score) and employer reputation surveys, which prioritize graduate employability and skills alignment with industry needs.[94] It ranked 1st in Australia for employment outcomes across 36 assessed institutions in QS 2026, reflecting strong employer feedback on alumni preparedness.[94] Subject-specific reputation is evident in fields like engineering and business, where UNSW frequently tops Australian employer surveys for graduate quality.[99] Graduate outcomes demonstrate high employability and earnings potential. In the 2022 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS) by the Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching (QILT), 84% of domestic undergraduate leavers from UNSW secured full-time employment within four to six months of graduation, exceeding the national average of 79%.[100] Median starting salaries for these undergraduates reached $70,000, above the national $68,000 and Group of Eight (Go8) average of $67,000; three years later, this rose to $88,000 versus $80,000 nationally.[100] For postgraduates, full-time employment stood at 91% (national: 89%), with median salaries of $117,000 initially and $130,000 after three years (national: $93,000 and $103,000).[100] UNSW has led Go8 peers in median salaries for four consecutive years per QILT data, attributing outcomes to career-focused curricula and industry partnerships, though broader economic factors influence national trends like a dip in 2024 full-time rates to 74%.[100] [101]| Metric | UNSW Undergraduates (2022 GOS) | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time Employment (4-6 months post-grad) | 84% | 79% |
| Median Salary (4-6 months) | $70,000 | $68,000 |
| Median Salary (3 years post-grad) | $88,000 | $80,000 |
| Metric | UNSW Postgraduates (2022 GOS) | National Average |
|---|---|---|
| Full-time Employment (4-6 months post-grad) | 91% | 89% |
| Median Salary (4-6 months) | $117,000 | $93,000 |
| Median Salary (3 years post-grad) | $130,000 | $103,000 |

