UniSA is committed to educating professionals; creating and applying knowledge; serving the community; maintaining cultural diversity amongst its staff and students; and providing equitable access to education for greater numbers of people. In this way, UniSA continues to build on the long-standing traditions of its antecedent institutions.

UniSA was founded on 1 January 1991 through the amalgamation of the South Australian Institute of Technology and the Magill, Salisbury and Underdale campuses of the South Australian College of Advanced Education. Since then, it has quickly earned a reputation as a national leader in collaborative research, has been recognised nationally for innovation in teaching and has South Australia's largest intake of international students.

Educating professionals

UniSA’s unique approach to teaching and learning is student-centred, focused on the outcomes of higher education, and delivered through very flexible program arrangements. Designed in consultation with industry and the professions, UniSA programs include fieldwork, industry guided simulations and industry projects. This real-world experience whilst studying means UniSA graduates are equipped with the qualities employers look for. UniSA graduates become significant contributors to their chosen professions - people who are instrumental in reshaping the nature of contemporary Australian and regional society.

Creating and applying knowledge

UniSA is committed to the creation and application of knowledge. Its distinctive research profile is based on bringing together multidisciplinary teams from industry, business and the professions to work on projects that are both relevant and beneficial to the community.

UniSA’s emerging research priorities are sustainability, healthy lifestyle, and modelling and managing complex systems. The close alignment of the University’s research priorities with the Government’s National Research Priorities means it is well placed for ongoing success into the future.

Serving the community

UniSA contributes at all levels to the social, intellectual, economic and cultural development of the community. Meeting the present and future needs of society is the driving force behind its professional education programs and its applied research focus. Service to the community is a defining characteristic and the University is enriched through its interaction with different communities.

Each year staff and students are recognised for their outstanding service to the community through the Chancellor’s Awards for Community Service.

Diversity

Intellectual, cultural, social and racial diversity is woven into the fabric of the University of South Australia.

UniSA has strong and expanding links in teaching, research, consultancy and continuing education with partners in Asia, Europe, Africa and North America. UniSA has grown rapidly to be a major provider of Australian higher education offshore and has the largest number of international students in Adelaide. It now has the 5th largest number of international students in the country and international students make up close to 30 per cent of its students compared to the national average of 21 per cent.

UniSA has a commitment in its founding legislation to supporting the access of Indigenous people to higher education. It has committed itself to reconciliation between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people and has in place a range of programs to support the education of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

Equitable access

UniSA has in place a broad range of programs designed to increase opportunity including: special entry programs for people from educationally disadvantaged backgrounds, programs for people who have experienced educational or social disadvantage, extensive credit transfer arrangements with the vocational education and training sector, and high quality teaching and extensive student services support for students who enter using alternative pathways. UniSA also actively encourages the participation of women in non-traditional areas of study and employment.