The new Adelaide University has officially launched on the world stage, showcasing a transformative approach to education that’s all about looking to the future.
The new uni has a fresh new look, website and around 200 courses ready for international students to apply for now, ahead of its 2026 opening.
The co-Vice Chancellors, Professor Peter Høj AC and Professor David Lloyd, are excited about this milestone for South Australia. They say the first major Australian university to be created this century is set to be a global game-changer for students, researchers and innovators.
A brand for the future
Adelaide University’s bold new “proven, audacious and open” brand reflects its cutting-edge approach while still honouring the legacies of the two universities – the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia – that came together to create it. It’s a brand designed to last for decades to come, symbolising a global education and research powerhouse that’s all about excellence and equity.
The newly revealed Adelaide University logo is a cool, modern take on its initials, tilted forward to show that it’s all about progress. The angle even matches the iconic Adelaide Festival Centre, the heart of our city’s culture. It’s a nod to our strong history while embracing a fresh feel that reflects the spirit of South Australia. Its bold new “North Terrace purple” colour further underlines the uni’s close connections with SA’s cultural icons – as well as nodding to the Jacaranda blossoms the precinct is famous for.
What’s on offer?
The university will offer a wide range of programs across all major disciplines currently studied at its two merging institutions, with a focus on being accessible, contemporary and future-focused. They’re calling its unique curriculum the ‘Adelaide Attainment Model,’ and it’s designed to put students at the centre of their learning journey. That means flexible learning, the latest tech and a focus on real-world skills that employers want.
This new uni is going to be a research powerhouse, combining the strengths of its founding institutions and working with the community to drive innovation and grow the economy. Adelaide University will also soon reveal its Aboriginal name – a first for an Australian university, and a promise that this university will be accessible to students of all backgrounds.
Adelaide University’s big ambitions
Adelaide University is ready to make its mark on the world stage. As a member of the Group of Eight (Australia’s leading research-intensive universities), it aims to:
- Rank long-term in the top one per cent of universities worldwide.
- Rank top in Australia for student employment outcomes.
- Be among the top five universities in the nation for student experience.
- Contribute an estimated $4.7 billion a year to the Australian economy.
- Be a destination for education: International education is SA’s top export, strengthening our connections worldwide.
More good news
By 2034, Adelaide University is expected to contribute an additional $500 million annually to the state’s economy and educate more than 70,000 students.
Not only that, the new uni will further enhance the quality and quantity of South Australian academic research, which is already considered world-class.
There will also be two new state government-owned investment funds – a $200 million Research Fund, plus a $120 million Student Support Fund. This second fund will ensure students from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds and regional SA can access higher education.
So how will this affect me?
If you’re studying now or starting your degree in the next few years, you probably have more than a few questions. That’s why we’ve put together a guide to everything you need to know about what’s happening in 2026. Click here to find out how you’ll be (positively!) affected by the amalgamation of UniSA and the University of Adelaide into the new Adelaide University.
If you want to know more, it’s all here – including a dedicated FAQ page.
