The University of Newcastle is a leader in university education, with a reputation for high quality teaching and learning and exciting, contemporary academic programs. Our degree programs are internationally recognised. Our research is world-class and diverse and our partnerships and collaborations drive innovation. UON is ranked in the top 1% of universities worldwide.
Demonstrating our commitment to relevant teaching is our approach to problem-based learning, first pioneered by us some 40 years ago, which underpins our degree programs in medicine, engineering, architecture, nursing, social work and law. The University of Newcastle 2020-2025 Strategic Plan "Looking Ahead" focuses on our communities, our regions and our responsibilities. We are committed to be a driving force for excellence and equity in higher education. We will deliver an exceptional student experience, preparing graduate for life in an increasingly interconnected society. Through relevant research solutions, we will bring the world to our regions, and take our regions to the world.
Motto | "I look ahead" |
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Type | Public |
Established |
|
Chancellor | Paul Jeans |
Vice-Chancellor | Professor Alex Zelinsky, AO |
Visitor | Governor of New South Wales |
Academic staff
|
1,137 |
Administrative staff
|
1,598 |
Students | 37,946 |
Undergraduates | 25,193 |
Postgraduates | 7,499 |
Location | Newcastle, New South Wales, ඕස්ටේරලියාව 32°53′34″S151°42′16″ECoordinates: 32°53′34″S 151°42′16″E |
Campus | Urban |
Affiliations | Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business, Association of Commonwealth Universities, United Nations Institute for Training and Research (CIFAL Newcastle) |
Website | www.newcastle.edu.au |
The earliest origins of the present-day University of Newcastle can be traced to the Newcastle Teachers College (established 1949) and Newcastle University College (NUC, established 1951). NUC was created as an offshoot of the New South Wales University of Technology (now known as the University of New South Wales) and was co-located with the Newcastle Technical College at Tighes Hill. At the time of its establishment, NUC had just five full-time students and study was restricted to engineering, mathematics and science.
Throughout the 1950s and 1960s, Newcastle residents campaigned for NUC to be re-constituted as a university in its own right. The campaign was ultimately successful, with the University of Newcastle being established as an autonomous institution on 1 January 1965 by gubernatorial proclamation under the University of Newcastle Act 1964 (NSW). The new university was granted a heraldic coat of arms by the College of Arms in London, an event seen by many in the community as signifying the new institution's independence. In 1966, the University relocated from Tighes Hill to a largely undeveloped bushland site in Shortland.
As enrolments grew, the University embarked on a major building program and redeveloped the Shortland site into the Callaghan campus, named for Sir Bede Callaghan, foundation member of the University council and chancellor from 1977 to 1988.