University of Canberra

Dynamic and vibrant, the University of Canberra (UC) is embedded deep in the economic, social and cultural life of Canberra – Australia’s education, as well as national, capital. 

Canberra is a wonderful place to live, study and work – a young, safe, connected, multicultural city which boasts a beautiful natural environment, excellent entertainment and sports venues, a buzzing food scene and a glittering galaxy of cultural institutions.

UC is a university for the professions, and is dedicated to providing immersive, top-quality student experiences. It is immensely proud of its world-ready graduates – in fact, UC is No. 1 in the ACT for graduate employment (Good Universities Guide 2020).

This is due to UC’s two-pronged focus, encompassing progressive teaching and learning, as well as strong ties to industry. The latter means that students enjoy real-world experience and formative placements with work-integrated learning as part of their study.

The University is also heavily committed to trail-blazing innovation and research that has practical impact; and is home to leading research institutes like the Institute for Applied Ecology (IAE) and the Institute for Governance and Policy Analysis (IGPA).

Because, as Vice-Chancellor and President Professor Paddy Nixon says, “It’s important to do world-class research – but it’s even more important that the research is relevant, and impacts the real world.”

There are five faculties at UC, offering undergraduate, postgraduate and higher degree by research options.

The Faculty of Health has made UC one of Australia’s leaders in health and sport education, with the UC Hospital, Canberra Specialist Medical Centre, Community Health Hub, the Research Institute for Sport and Exercise (UCRISE), and Australian Geospatial Health Lab all located on campus, and providing stellar hubs for practical work and research. The university is also a training and development hub for elite athletes and professional sporting teams.

The Faculty of Education seeks to change the world, one brilliant, empathetic, inspiring teacher at a time, with accredited courses in Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary and Educational Leadership. Innovation and expertise combine to create educators who steer the course of the system, rather than just being guided by it.

Programs at the Faculty of Arts and Design are propelled by creativity and a deep passion for design of all kinds – in communications, in the arts, architecture and the built environment. It is also the home of our national News and Media Research Centre and the Centre for Creative and Cultural Research.

At the Faculty of Business, Government and Law, flexible study options and degree combinations are designed to combine academic and real-world experiences, with employers, industry, government and professionals integrated into the curriculum The faculty encompasses the Canberra Law School, the Canberra Business School, the Canberra School of Politics, Economics & Society as well as IGPA.

The Faculty of Science and Technology spans the educational and research spectrum of environmental science, biomedical science, conservation biology, data science, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and the Internet of Things (IoT) – and that’s just the tip of the sci-tech iceberg. In addition to the IAE, cross-disciplinary research hubs include the Human Centred Technology Research Centre (HCTRC), the Centre for Research in Therapeutic Solutions (CRESTS), and the National Centre for Forensic Studies (NCFS).

Ranked in the top ten of Australia’s best universities (The Times Higher Education World Rankings 2020), UC is also in the top 200 worldwide (Times Higher Education World Rankings 2020). It is also one of the world’s Top 20 Young Universities.

These are remarkable numbers for a university only 30 years young, having begun its life as the Canberra College of Advanced Education in 1967. It commenced as the University of Canberra in 1990.

UC’s reputation for world-class research, and teaching and learning, belies its youth. As a young and comparatively small university, its agility and responsiveness enables it to stay ahead of the higher education pack in key areas of focus.

UC’s flexibility means that a myriad pathways are available for life-long learners, whether you are a school-leaver looking to turn your passion into a career (or discover what your passion is!), are looking for an industry-accredited course to advance your career path, or simply want to feed a love for learning.