The University of Adelaide (informally Adelaide University) is a public university located in Adelaide, South Australia. Established in 1874, it is the third-oldest university in Australia. The university's main campus is located on North Terrace in the Adelaide city centre, adjacent to the Art Gallery of South Australia, the South Australian Museum and the State Library of South Australia.
The university has six campuses throughout the state; North Terrace; North Terrace ;Roseworthy College at Roseworthy; The Waite Institute at Urrbrae; Thebarton; and the National Wine Centre in the Adelaide Park Lands. It has a sixth campus, the Ngee Ann - Adelaide Education Centre (NAAEC), in Singapore.The university operates several associated and independent research institutes and groups. These include the South Australian Centre for Economic Studies, the Hanson Institute for Medical Research, and the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute (SAHMRI).
The University of Adelaide is composed of five faculties, with each containing constituent schools. These include the Faculty of Engineering, Computer, and Mathematical Sciences (ECMS), the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences, the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty of the Professions, and the Faculty of Sciences. It is a member of the Group of Eight and the Association of Commonwealth Universities. The university is also a member of the Sandstone universities, which mostly consist of colonial-era universities within Australia.
In a globalised economy, access to the world of ideas is critical for local socio-economic benefit. As a truly global institution, our university has unique potential within South Australia to leverage culturally diverse staff and students-and an outstanding reputation reflected in all three leading world rankings-to connect our state to the world.
Recognising that our destiny will be shaped by those who choose to work or study with us, we invest significant resources in making our university a global destination of choice for the very best minds. Here in our nurturing community they teach and discover side-by-side, infused by a culture that connects, inspires and energises. Excellence demands nothing less.
Research excellence has defined our history. In a world rapidly transitioning to an information-based economy, so will it define our future. We strive to build an ever-stronger nexus between our research and local economic needs, leveraging creativity and knowledge to create abundant economic opportunities. And we continually enhance links between research and education to help shape a new generation of entrepreneurs able to translate new knowledge into societal benefit.
The University of Adelaide ranked 106 in the 2020 QS World University Rankings . Adelaide is the only university in South Australia ranked inside the top 250. Published annually, the QS World University Rankings provides an index of the world's leading higher education institutions based on six performance indicators. The ranking features 1,011 universities in 85 countries.