Adelaide University is a new university formed by the merger of two of Australia’s leading higher education institutions: the University of Adelaide, the country’s third-oldest university, and the University of South Australia (UniSA), whose history dates back to 1856. Adelaide University was established in 2024 and will formally open in January 2026. The public research university, also known by its Kaurna name, Tirkangkaku (which means “place of learning”), is a member of Australia’s Group of Eight leading research-intensive universities.
Based on figures at the two institutions being merged, academic staff at Adelaide University would number about 2,500, while there would be upwards of 60,000 students, about 10,000 of them postgraduates. International students could make up about a quarter of the total enrolment.
The curriculum approach, the “Adelaide Attainment Model”, focuses on students and employability. All degree programmes will feature modular and stackable learning, a flexible academic calendar, work-integrated learning, and common core courses.
The merged institution has some 7,000 partnerships with industry and academic collaborations.
Adelaide University has metropolitan sites in Adelaide, which is regularly ranked as one of the world’s most liveable cities, as well as regional campuses and connections to rural, interstate and transnational locations and pathway colleges.
