O’Week’s coming, online options are growing, and over 400 courses are on offer. So what does the launch of Adelaide University actually mean for you?
It’s been more than two years in the making – and this week, Adelaide University is officially open.
Adelaide University officially opened its doors on 1 January, combining the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia (UniSA) into a single institution built to equip students for the careers and workplaces of the future.
It’s the biggest higher education merger in Australian history, and one of the largest ever attempted globally.
And while it’s new in name, Adelaide University enters the scene already ranked among QS’s top 100 universities worldwide and one of the world’s most sustainable universities.
Whether you’re already studying or thinking about applying, here’s what Adelaide University’s launch means for you – and what’s changing (or staying the same).
What if I was already studying at UniSA or the University of Adelaide?
You’re now an Adelaide University student. You don’t need to reapply, your previous study still counts, and your tuition fees won’t suddenly jump. You’ll keep studying in the same place, with the same lecturers, unless there’s a benefit in moving to a better facility. You’ll also get a personalised study plan to help you stay on track.
And when you graduate, your parchment will say Adelaide University – but you can choose to include your original uni’s name and logo too.
What will studying at Adelaide University actually look like?
Depending on your degree, you might attend lectures, tutorials, practicals, studios, labs, clinical activities or workshops.
Most students will study in person on campus – attending classes, accessing libraries and labs, and getting involved in student life and the full university experience.
Can I study online?
Yes, if it suits your life better. Adelaide University offers a wide range of fully online degrees for domestic students, which means you can study from anywhere in Australia while still getting access to academic support, digital libraries and career services. It’s ideal for students balancing work, parenting or living regionally.
Adelaide University expects to teach more online students across the nation than any other Australian university.
What can I study?
Adelaide University offers more than 400 programs – across fields like health, law, science, engineering, creative industries, education, business, and more.
Whether you’re starting fresh, changing careers, or advancing your current path, there’s likely a degree to match your goals.
Students across the university will also learn about AI, entrepreneurship, big data, intercultural understanding, ethics, and First Nations perspectives. It’s all part of the Adelaide Attainment Model – a set of core courses designed to give you the interdisciplinary skills employers want in a modern workplace.
Are there scholarships?
Yes – you can apply for scholarships based on your grades, your background, your location, your career goals, or even your mode of study. Some are just one-off payments, while others cover multiple years.
Will fees go up?
Your existing terms and conditions stay exactly the same, with just the usual annual indexation increase you’d expect at any university.
When does 2026 study start?
Here are the key dates for Semester 1:
- Orientation (O’Week): starts Monday, 9 February
- Semester 1 begins: Monday, 23 February
- Last day to enrol: Friday, 13 March
The full 2026 Adelaide University calendar is here.
What is O’Week?
O’Week is your welcome to uni. It’s when you:
- meet people
- explore your campus
- join clubs
- get your ID card
- find out how everything works
O’Week runs across all campuses and includes a mix of info sessions, tours, entertainment and student-only events. If you’re studying online, there are virtual sessions too.
What campuses are there?
Adelaide University has campuses across the city, suburbs and regions:
- Adelaide City – East: Located beside the Adelaide Botanic Garden and home to the historic Barr Smith Library, City East offers quiet green spaces, galleries, and heritage-listed buildings alongside modern learning areas. It’s close to Rundle Street, with great food and coffee options, and includes gym facilities and outdoor sporting fields
- Adelaide City – West: Surrounded by small bars, live music venues and the biomedical precinct, City West blends creative energy with modern learning spaces. It’s home to the Architecture Museum, SASA Gallery, and a 25m heated pool, gym, and rock climbing wall.
- Magill: Just seven kilometres east of the city, Magill Campus is nestled in leafy parklands. It’s home to hands-on media and arts facilities, including TV and radio studios, and is known for its relaxed vibe and native wildlife (yes, even koalas).
- Mawson Lakes: Set beside suburban wetlands and close to major defence and tech hubs, Mawson Lakes Campus has high-tech labs, cafés, and the Adelaide Planetarium. It’s easily accessible by train and offers plenty of green space to study or unwind.
- Waite: Located in the foothills, Waite Campus is surrounded by vineyards, arboretums and ag research centres. It’s the place to be if you’re into wine science, plant biology, agriculture or sustainability – and the views don’t hurt either.
- Roseworthy: About an hour north of the city, Roseworthy Campus is where vet science and animal studies happen. It has a working farm, aquatic reserve, and a friendly, tight-knit student community.
- Mount Gambier: Located on the Limestone Coast, Mount Gambier Campus brings a full university experience to South Australia’s largest regional city – complete with specialist learning facilities, modern study spaces and a great local lifestyle.
- Whyalla: On the Eyre Peninsula, Whyalla Campus is SA’s largest regional university campus. It has on-campus accommodation, modern facilities, and all the support you’d expect – plus a beachside community vibe.
What kind of support can I get?
You can access:
- free counselling
- health clinics (on some campuses)
- disability support
- learning support and mentoring
- career services
- First Nations support services and culturally safe spaces
All campuses also offer libraries, cafés, prayer rooms and childcare facilities.
What about the Elder Conservatorium of Music?
It’s staying – and still central to the university’s music education. The Elder Conservatorium (or Elder Con) has been part of Adelaide’s music scene since 1898.
At Adelaide University, it continues to offer world-class music degrees and opportunities for students interested in performance, composition, and music education.
What does Tirkangkaku mean?
Tirkangkaku (pronounced teer-kang-gah-goo) means “Place of Learning” in the language of the Kaurna people, and it’s Adelaide University’s official Aboriginal name.
It’s the first time an Aboriginal name has been enshrined in legislation for an Australian university – a symbol of the university’s commitment to truth-telling, inclusion and two-way knowledge sharing.
Why is Adelaide University a big deal for South Australia?
Adelaide University isn’t just a rebrand – it’s a once-in-a-generation shake-up of higher education in South Australia. Bringing together two of the state’s major universities into one globally-ranked institution, it’s designed to compete on the world stage while remaining rooted in SA.
By 2034, the university is expected to:
- Educate over 70,000 students
- Support 1,200 new jobs
- Contribute an extra $500 million to the state economy each year
It also aims to be in the top one per cent of universities globally, lead the nation in student employment outcomes, and become one of Australia’s most connected universities through thousands of industry partnerships.
Vice Chancellor Professor Nicola Phillips, who officially starts on 12 January, says the new university is “a rare and unique opportunity to do … something genuinely special – to think differently about what and who we stand for as a leading Australian university that is both of and for its place in South Australia.”
Got more questions about Adelaide University? Find the answers here.
