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University of Canberra

Coordinates: 35°14′20″S 149°05′15″E / 35.23889°S 149.08750°E / -35.23889; 149.08750
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University of Canberra
Former name
  • Canberra College of Advanced Education
    (1967–1990)[1]
Motto
Ngunawal: Galambany
Motto in English
"We all, including you"[2]
TypePublic research university
Established
AccreditationTEQSA[3]
AffiliationInnovative Research Universities (IRU)
BudgetA$398.04 million (2023)[4]
ChancellorLisa Paul[5]
Vice-ChancellorStephen Parker[6]
Total staff
1,322 regular (2023)[7]
276 casual (2023)[7]
Students11,518 (EFTSL, 2023)[4]
Undergraduates7,729 (2023)[4]
Postgraduates2,908 (2023)[4]
Other students
459 UC College (2023)[4]
Address
11 Kirinari Street
,
Canberra
,
ACT
,
2617
,
Australia[8]
CampusUrban[9]
ColoursBlue[10]
Sporting affiliations
MascotCappie the Giraffe[11]
Websitecanberra.edu.au

The University of Canberra (UC) is a public research university with its main campus located in Bruce, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. The campus is 2.5 km (1.6 mi) from Belconnen Town Centre, and 8.7 km (5.4 mi) from Canberra's Civic Centre. UC offers undergraduate and postgraduate courses through five faculties: Arts and Design; Business, Government and Law; Education; Health; and Science and Technology.

History

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The University of Canberra was first established in 1967 as the Canberra College of Advanced Education. It then became the University of Canberra under sponsorship of Monash University in 1990.

Foundation stone

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The University of Canberra granite foundation stone is accessible via stairs outside Building 1

The foundation stone was unveiled by Prime Minister John Gorton on 28 October 1968. The stone is displayed near Building 1 on the Bruce campus. The inscription reads:

This Stone was unveiled by the right honourable J.G. Gorton, M.P., Prime Minister of Australia, on 28 October 1968, to mark the establishment of the Canberra College of Advanced Education.

Stonefest

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Main article: Stonefest

An annual celebration, called Stone Day, was first held in 1971. It has since evolved into a popular music festival. Stone Day traditionally took place after classes finished at the end of Semester 2, but before exams. The day before was known as Stone Eve. Stone Day involved a music festival with local bands.

Over the years, the Stone Day program grew larger, expanding to a whole week in 1976, and became Stoneweek. In the 1980s and 1990s, Stoneweek was a popular Canberra entertainment event and one of Australia's most popular music festivals.[12] In 2000, the festival became Stonefest.

Beginning in 2012, Stonefest was not held for a number of years at the University of Canberra. In 2014, UC created a mini-music Stonefest festival with a DJ and numerous activities, however it was not received well. In 2019, Stonefest returned, with both local and international acts, but did not run in 2020–2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, returning in 2022.

Campuses and buildings

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Bruce

[edit]
Looking south-west from the main concourse towards Building 8 (the library).
Building 11, Walkway connecting the refectory with the gym
A restored Futuro house is located in the Building 5 courtyard
One of the entrances to the University of Canberra

The university's main campus is located in the suburb of Bruce and covers 296 acres (1.2 km2) of buildings, ovals, gardens, lawns, car parks, roads, walkways, and sculptures. The campus is notable for its native gardens and the presence of kangaroos. There are over 29 buildings dedicated to teaching, research, and administration for the disciplines, faculties and business units. These buildings are concentrated around the main concourse. Each building is numbered and many do not hold any title or namesake.[13] At the northern end of the campus is the University of Canberra Hospital which focuses on rehabilitation.[14]

Facilities

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The Refectory is located in Building 1, operated by UCX (the student union).[15] It provides a food court, general shop, pool tables, and lounges, and is also a concert venue. Upstairs there are study rooms which can be booked by students and staff.

The Hub is located under the main concourse, providing a café, hairdressing salon, tattoo parlour, 87.8 UCFM student radio station studio, and social enterprise hub. A bar, convenience store, and several eateries are also available near the student residences.

A sport and fitness centre is located in Building 29 with gym facilities and is home to Brumbies Rugby administration. There are basketball and squash courts nearby in Building 4, and various sporting ovals.[16]

Other sites

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The university has satellite campuses in the following locations[1]:

  • Queensland
    • TAFE Queensland Brisbane (South Bank)
    • TAFE Queensland Brisbane (Mount Gravatt)
  • Sydney
    • University of Canberra Sydney Hills campus (Castle Hill)
    • TAFE NSW Northern Sydney (RTO)

Governance and structure

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University Council

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Main article: List of University of Canberra people § Administration

The governing body of the University of Canberra is its University Council.[17] The current chancellor is Lisa Paul, AO PSM, a former senior Australian public servant and policymaker who was a long-serving Secretary of the Department of Education and Training.[18]

Professor Stephen Parker is the interim vice-chancellor (VC),[19] having previously served as VC 2007–2016. Parker took over from Professor Lucy Johnston who was the interim VC following the sudden departure of Professor Paddy Nixon who served as VC from 6 April 2020 to 15 December 2023.[20][21][22][23] The incoming VC, from February 2025, is Bill Shorten.[24] Prior to Professor Nixon, Professor Deep Saini was VC from 1 September 2016 to 21 December 2019.[25]

Faculties and departments

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The five faculties are:

Arts and Design

Arts and design specialises in architecture, landscape architecture, graphic design, communication studies, culture and heritage, journalism, creative writing and poetry, international studies, and media arts. The faculty has two schools: School of Design and the Built Environment and School of Arts and Communication.

Business, Government and Law

The Business Government and Law Faculty provides courses in accounting, applied economics, business administration, business informatics, construction, economics, finance, law, management, marketing, politics, sociology, public policy, tourism, and urban and regional planning. The Faculty has three schools: Canberra Business School, Canberra Law School, and Canberra School of Politics, Economics & Society.

Education

The Education faculty offers courses designed to cover all stages of teacher development with courses in early childhood, primary and secondary.

Health

The Faculty of Health prepares a wide range of allied health professionals, including in counselling, exercise science, nursing and midwifery, nutrition and dietetics, occupational therapy, optometry, pharmacy, physiotherapy and exercise physiology and rehabilitation, psychology, medical imaging, speech pathology, and sports management.

Science and Technology

The Faculty of Science and Technology trains students in environmental sciences, biomedical and forensic as well as information technology, information systems, engineering, and mathematics. The Faculty has two schools: School of Science and the School of Information Technology and Systems.

Finances

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Like most Australian universities, University of Canberra derives the majority of its revenue from the Australian Government through the Commonwealth Grant Scheme, student fees, research grants and contracts, commercial activities, and donations. The ACT Government provides around one percent of the university's operating budget.[26]

The University's budget in 2022 was A$312.84 million (2022).[27] In 2024, the University of Canberra is expecting a $36 million deficit which triggered emergency spending constraints.[28][29] The deficit is partly attributed to a decline in international student enrolments.[28] The financial situation lead to the announcement in October 2024 of urgent and significant cost-saving measures, including an estimated 200 job cuts by the middle of 2025.[30]

Academic profile

[edit]

Research divisions

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The university has several research centres relating to its areas of research strength. These are:

  • Canberra Urban and Regional Futures
  • Centre for Ageing Research and Translation (CARAT)[31]
  • Centre for Creative and Cultural Research
  • Centre for Research and Action in Public Health
  • Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions
  • Collaborative Indigenous Research Initiative
  • Health Research Institute
  • Institute for Applied Ecology[32]
  • Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis
  • Invasive Animals Cooperative Research Centre
  • Murray-Darling Basin Futures Collaborative Research Network
  • Nexus Research Centre
  • News and Media Research Centre
  • Research Institute for Sport and Exercise
  • STEM Education Research Centre
  • SYNERGY Nursing and Midwifery Research Centre

Library

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Main article: University of Canberra Library

The University of Canberra Library is located in Building 8. The building has four floors.[33]

Academic reputation

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University rankings
Global rankings
QS[34]=403
THE[35]401-500
ARWU[36]801-900
U.S. News & World Report[37]694
CWTS Leiden[38]1266[a]
Australian rankings
QS[39]25
THE[40]26-33
ARWU[41]30
U.S. News & World Report[42]29
CWTS Leiden[38]23[a]
ERA[43]33
AFR[44]26
National publications

In the Australian Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2024, the university was ranked #26 amongst Australian universities.[45]

Global publications

In the 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2024), the university attained a tied position of #403 (25th nationally).[46]

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (published 2024), the university attained a position of #401-500 (tied 26-33rd nationally).[47]

In the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities, the university attained a position of #801-900 (30th nationally).[48]

In the 2024–2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, the university attained a position of #694 (29th nationally).[49]

In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024,[a] the university attained a position of #1266 (23rd nationally).[50]

Student outcomes

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The Australian Government's QILT[b] conducts national surveys documenting the student life cycle from enrolment through to employment.[51] These surveys place more emphasis on criteria such as student experience, graduate outcomes and employer satisfaction[51] than perceived reputation, research output and citation counts.[52]

In the 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, graduates of the university had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 78.3%.[53]

In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates of the university had a full-time employment rate of 85.3% for undergraduates and 92.9% for postgraduates.[54] The initial full-time salary was A$71,000 for undergraduates and A$84,600 for postgraduates.[54]

In the 2023 Student Experience Survey, undergraduates at the university rated the quality of their entire educational experience at 72.7% meanwhile postgraduates rated their overall education experience at 74.5%.[55]

Partnerships and affiliations

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UC partners with two local ACT schools: UC Senior Secondary College Lake Ginninderra and University of Canberra High School Kaleen. The University of Canberra College provides pathways into university for domestic and international students.[56] UC also shares a memorandum of understanding with the Canberra Institute of Technology which facilitates student educational pathways between the institutions and sharing of some specialist facilities.

Student life

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Student demographics

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Over 100,000 students have graduated from the university since 1970.[57]

After a rapid period of growth which saw a 78% increase in student enrolments between 2007 and 2014,[58][59] UC has sustained an annual enrolment of between 11,000 and 12,000 equivalent full-time students.[57] The median Australian Tertiary Admission Rank of UC students was approximately 71 in 2012.[60]

Student media

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An independent radio station, 87.8 UCFM is run by students from the main UC campus.

Sports and athletics

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The University has several sporting partnerships including sponsoring the University of Canberra Capitals, a professional women's basketball team, the ACT Brumbies, a professional rugby union team, and the University of Canberra Firebirds, an amateur American football club.

On Saturday 17 June 2023, UC announced a one million dollar sponsorship of, and partnership with, Stromlo Forest Park that will expand its research and teaching activities across a range of sports, tourism, and business opportunities.[61]

Student accommodation

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UC Lodge is the most recently constructed (2016) student accommodation

There are three on-campus accommodation options for students with a total of 2,476 beds[62]—Campus West, Cooper Lodge, and UC Lodge,[63] all run by UniLodge Australia Pty Ltd. In addition, off-campus accommodations in the neighbouring suburb of Belconnen include Weeden Lodge run by UniLodge and UniGardens run by UniGardens Pty Ltd.[64] These accommodation options are available to all students, including international students.

Notable people

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Notable alumni

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Main article: List of University of Canberra people

Academics and staff

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Notable staff members include/have included:

See also

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Footnotes

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  1. ^ a b c The CWTS Leiden Ranking is based on P(top 10%).
  2. ^ Abbreviation for Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching.[51]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "University Legislation". University of Canberra. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Archived from the original on 28 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  2. ^ Savignano, Michelle (29 November 2021). "Values and Purpose". University of Canberra. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Archived from the original on 28 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  3. ^ "University of Canberra". Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. Melbourne, Victoria. Archived from the original on 27 May 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e "Annual Report 2023" (PDF). University of Canberra. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 9 April 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 August 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Chancellor". University of Canberra. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. 16 September 2024. Archived from the original on 18 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  6. ^ "Office of the Vice-Chancellor". University of Canberra. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Archived from the original on 28 October 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Annual Information Statement 2023". Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Taxation Office (Australian Government). 2 September 2024. Archived from the original on 8 November 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  8. ^ Ramadani, Taip. "Contact University of Canberra". University of Canberra. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  9. ^ Ramadani, Taip. "Contact University of Canberra". University of Canberra. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Archived from the original on 26 December 2023. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  10. ^ "Brand Guidelines 2022" (PDF). University of Canberra. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory. Archived (PDF) from the original on 9 July 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  11. ^ "Sponsorship Announcement: UC Capitals extend partnership with Allhomes in 2023/24". Women's National Basketball League (Basketball Australia). Melbourne, Victoria. 24 November 2023. Archived from the original on 20 April 2024. Retrieved 8 November 2024.
  12. ^ "the AU Review 7 Oct 2011". Archived from the original on 28 August 2016.
  13. ^ "Maps". n.d. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  14. ^ "University of Canberra Hospital". 15 May 2018. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  15. ^ "Food & Drink (Refectory)". 6 June 2016. Archived from the original on 8 April 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  16. ^ "Gym and Group Fitness". 9 June 2016. Archived from the original on 25 June 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  17. ^ "University Council". www.canberra.edu.au. May 2006. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  18. ^ Bushell, Ian, Lisa Paul appointed Chancellor of University of Canberra, RiotACT, retrieved 6 March 2024
  19. ^ Bushell, Ian, University of Canberra brings back former Vice-Chancellor to hold fort for Shorten, RiotACT, retrieved 26 September 2024
  20. ^ Hope, Megan (20 December 2019). "University of Canberra announces Professor Paddy Nixon as new Vice-Chancellor". www.canberra.edu.au. Archived from the original on 7 March 2022. Retrieved 9 April 2020.
  21. ^ "Top Canberra academic in shock resignation". The Canberra Times. 18 January 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  22. ^ "University of Canberra head gets 71 per cent rise ahead of sudden departure". The Canberra Times. 21 July 2024. Retrieved 20 August 2024.
  23. ^ "UC Vice-Chancellor Paddy Nixon steps down after 'four very challenging years'". RiotACT. 17 January 2024. Retrieved 2 March 2024.
  24. ^ Truu, Maani (5 September 2024). "Former Labor leader Bill Shorten to announce retirement from politics". ABC News. Archived from the original on 5 September 2024. Retrieved 5 September 2024.
  25. ^ Unknown (1 September 2016). "UC welcomes new Vice-Chancellor". Archived from the original on 7 April 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  26. ^ MacDonald 2011
  27. ^ "University of Canberra Annual Information Statement 2022". acnc.gov.au. Australian Charities Not-for-profits Commission. Retrieved 9 February 2024.
  28. ^ a b "Job and course cut fears as UC deficit balloons by $10m". The Canberra Times. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 26 August 2024.
  29. ^ "'Scary' cash crisis looms at record pay university". Times Higher Education. 24 August 2024. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  30. ^ "University of Canberra to cut 200 jobs as part of 'urgent and significant' cost-saving measures". Australian Broadcasting Commission. 21 October 2024.
  31. ^ https://www.canberra.edu.au/faculties/health/carat
  32. ^ University of Canberra 2017
  33. ^ "About the Library". 11 September 2009. Archived from the original on 30 June 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  34. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  35. ^ "World University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education.
  36. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  37. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report.
  38. ^ a b "CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024". Centre for Science and Technology Studies, Leiden University.
  39. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025 - Australia". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  40. ^ "World University Rankings 2024 - Australia". Times Higher Education.
  41. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024 - Australia". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  42. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities in Australia". U.S. News & World Report.
  43. ^ "Australian University Rankings". Australian Education Network.
  44. ^ "Best Universities 2023". Nine Entertainment.
  45. ^ "Best Universities Ranking". Australian Financial Review. Sydney, New South Wales: Nine Entertainment.
  46. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities". QS World University Rankings. London, United Kingdom: Quacquarelli Symonds.
  47. ^ "World University Rankings". Times Higher Education. London, United Kingdom: Inflexion.
  48. ^ "ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities". Academic Ranking of World Universities. Shanghai, China: Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  49. ^ "Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report. Washington, D.C., United States.
  50. ^ "CWTS Leiden Ranking". CWTS Leiden Ranking (Centre for Science and Technology Studies). Leiden, Netherlands: Leiden University.
  51. ^ a b c "About". Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  52. ^ Bridgestock, Laura (19 April 2021). "World University Ranking Methodologies Compared". Quacquarelli Symonds. London, United Kingdom. Archived from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  53. ^ "2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey" (PDF). Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government. May 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  54. ^ a b "2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey: National Report" (PDF). Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government. May 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 December 2024. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  55. ^ "2023 Student Experience Survey" (PDF). Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching. Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Australian Government. May 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 2 January 2025. Retrieved 14 January 2025.
  56. ^ Martindale, [Marketing] Rhys (20 May 2014). "UC Schools". Archived from the original on 20 July 2017. Retrieved 5 March 2018.
  57. ^ a b "University of Canberra Annual Report 2023" (PDF). canberra.edu.au. University of Canberra. Retrieved 28 August 2024.
  58. ^ UC intake hits record high Archived 6 July 2011 at the Wayback Machine, The Canberra Times, 15 March 2011
  59. ^ Towell 2011
  60. ^ Item 4.2 Archived 21 February 2014 at the Wayback Machine, Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency, March 2012
  61. ^ "Investment flows for Stromlo Forest Park". 17 June 2023. Retrieved 26 June 2023.
  62. ^ "New accommodation to open its doors at UC". canberra.edu.au. 27 January 2017. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  63. ^ "@ UC – UC Lodge – UniLodge". UniLodge. Archived from the original on 1 September 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.
  64. ^ UniGardens Canberra University student accommodation Archived 17 May 2014 at the Wayback Machine, official website

Bibliography

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35°14′20″S 149°05′15″E / 35.23889°S 149.08750°E / -35.23889; 149.08750

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