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Brisbane Universities Guide

All universities located in Brisbane share solid foundations in the past and development of Brisbane city.

Through the progressive heightened wave of higher-education attendance, Queensland Universities have enjoyed a prosperous growth in student numbers in both domestic and international spheres.

Education is approached in a modern and dynamic atmosphere in the Smart State! Students will find that studying in Brisbane will provide them with access to some of Australia's finest institutions which cover all major conventional disciplines. The state government has strongly backed Brisbane through providing services and facilities that ensure the city is an easy place to study in.

The universities sector in Brisbane has been exploited to coincide with the city itself as it develops into an increasingly important international location of study.

A number of Australian tertiary institutions have campuses in Brisbane

University of Queensland

UQ CampusKnown by its students and Brisbane locals simply as UQ, the University of Queensland is the state’s first university, originally founded in 1909. While the main location has been at St Lucia since 1939, there are also campuses at Ipswich, Gatton and Herston, with 47 other sites throughout the state, including hospitals and an experimental mine.

UQ currently has over 46,000 students from more than 142 countries. Of the various courses on offer, the university is popular for its engineering degrees, nursing, science, law and arts degrees. Students of UQ can look forward to a graduate employment rate of 81.6%, higher than the national average of 74.9%.

Students of UQ enjoy a number of social clubs and organisations, as well as some wonderful sporting facilities & events. The surrounding suburbs of St Lucia, Indooroopilly and Toowong are accustomed to the large student population in the area, with plenty of student accommodation available, as well as student discounts, services and often themed events at the local nightlife.

Campbell Road, St Lucia, 4072
Phone: 07 3365 1111
Web: www.uq.edu.au

Griffith University

Griffith Uni Nathan LibraryOnly opening its doors in 1975, Griffith University is one of the newer universities in Queensland but it has gained quite a reputation in its time. It’s considered one of the country’s most innovative tertiary institutions and one of the most influential in the Asia-Pacific region. Griffith was the first Australian university to offer degrees in Asian Studies and Environmental Studies, and still remains pioneers in these fields today.

There are over 300 degrees to choose from over 5 campuses between Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. In Brisbane alone you’ll find the Mt Gravatt, Nathan and South Bank campuses. There are currently over 43,000 students from 131 countries studying at Griffith University, making it the country’s ninth largest tertiary education provider.

Life at Griffith University can vary between campuses, but you’ll find new facilities across all campuses, making sure Griffith students are trained and equipped for the modern world. Students choosing to live on campus enjoy a convenient location to both Nathan and Mt Gravatt campuses, easy public transport to the South bank Campus, as well as college parties, sporting & social event, and support with their studies.

170 Kessels Road, Nathan, 4111
Phone: 07 3735 7111
Web: www.griffith.edu.au

Queensland University of Technology

QUTBased at the main Gardens Point Campus, the Queensland University of Technology (QUT) also has campuses at Kelvin Grove and Caboolture. From its establishment as the Brisbane School of Arts some 150 years ago, QUT today places a strong emphasis on courses and research with a global outlook. Only recognised as a university since 1988, the facility now has over 45,000 students and an annual budget of over $750 million.

QUT markets itself as a “university for the real world” based on its close links with industry with industry representatives and professionals contribute to the course development. As a result the university boasts a graduate employment rate higher than the national average and high demand courses.

With the main campus located in the Brisbane CBD, QUT doesn’t have on campus student accommodation. They do offer an accommodation service to provide students with information and advice in finding a place to live over the course of their studies.  The prime location of the university provides students with plenty to see and do during their down time, as well as providing easy public transport access.

2 George Street, Brisbane, 4000
Phone: 07 3138 2000
Web: www.qut.edu.au

Australian Catholic University

QUTWith campuses in Queensland, New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria, the Australian Catholic University is the country’s only national university. Situated in Banyo, about 12km north of Brisbane’s CBD, the Brisbane ACU campus is home to over 3,200 students studying undergraduate and postgraduate degrees such as business, education, environmental science, health, law, psychology and theology.

Students have the choice of living on campus in the ACU student accommodation, or finding their own residence throughout the city.

1100 Nudgee Road, Banyo, 4014
Phone: 07 3623 7100
Web: www.acu.edu.a

Central Queensland University

The Central Queensland University, or CQUniversity, has a presence from Mackay to Melbourne. Its Brisbane campus is situated right in the heart of the CBD on 8 floors of a major business building on Ann street.

The campus is student focussed with a range of modern facilities designed to make things easier for those studying here. Lecture rooms feature state of the art audio-visual & video conferencing equipment, Wi-Fi, extensive library and a student lounge.

Because of its prime location, students can find easy transport to and from the facility, access to food services, shopping centres and major employment opportunities. There is no on campus accommodation, though CQUniversity offers support services to help students find a place to stay while studying.

160 Ann Street, Brisbane, 4000
Phone: 13 27 86 or 07 3295 1188
Web: www.cqu.edu.au

University of Southern Queensland

USQ has made a reputation for being one of Australia’s leading providers of on-campus and online/distance education facilities. While USQ fosters a relaxed on-campus lifestyle for its undergraduate and postgraduate degrees, more than 75% of their students study online.

The Springfield campus is situated a 45 minute drive out of the Brisbane CBD and a short walk from the Springfield Town Centre shopping precinct. Springfield is home to more than 1,500 students studying Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Law and Psychology degrees.

Only 100 metres from the university is the Education City Residential Village, where those living on campus enjoy a friendly residential community, furnished apartments, lawn areas, BBQ facilities and close proximity to the major shopping precinct and bus station.

Sinnathamby Boulevard, Springfield, 4300
Phone: 07 4631 2285
Web: www.usq.edu.au

Shafston International College

Opening on the banks of the Brisbane River in 1996, Shafston is still a young university but with a growing reputation. The Brisbane campus is located in the iconic, heritage listed “Shafston House” in Brisbane’s inner suburbs, originally built in 1851. Students can relax between classes on a beautifully landscaped lawn and garden with a view of the city.

The college offers a wide range of internationally recognised English courses including TESOL, Cambridge Business English and Cambridge Exam Preparation. Perhaps one of the reasons the university boasts one of the most diverse student populations in the country.

Situated so close to the city there are plenty of student accommodation options in the surrounding area. For high quality student accommodation though, the Shafston Mansions is a purpose built facility for on-campus accommodation. Apartments are fully furnished and professionally cleaned, while residents have access to the building gym, café, laundry, common area and lobby with free Wi-Fi.

46 Thorn Street, Kangaroo Point, 4169
Phone: 07 3392 1400
Website: www.shafston.edu

More Brisbane University Information

  • Visit StudyMove for a guide on studying in Australia.