Our graduates shape Australia, the region and the international community as leaders in defence, government and industry.
The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has proudly provided education services to the Australian Defence Force (ADF) in Canberra for more than 50 years. Through our experience in education and our achievements in research, we excel in teaching undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral research students across arts, business, cyber security, engineering, IT, logistics, management, space and science. UNSW Canberra is the only national academic institution with an integrated defence focus. Its strength is in defence related, security and engineering research.
A Second UNSW Campus for Canberra
UNSW Canberra at the Australian Defence Force Academy (ADFA) is now at capacity; the new Canberra City campus allows the University to expand its offerings in Canberra and build on UNSW Canberra’s achievements, by creating a world class environment within the parliamentary triangle. The new campus enables UNSW’s strategic priorities of academic excellence, social engagement and global impact to thrive. The campus environment will provide a sense of place and pride in UNSW. Students, staff, alumni, members of the local community, and partners from the defence and security community located adjacent to the campus, will come together to innovate, transform, learn and contribute to society. A master plan will identify the campus development and provide UNSW the opportunity to shape the optimum development path.
UNSW Canberra Story
The University of New South Wales has a proud history of association with the Australian Defence Force, providing the best education for the best leaders since the academy was founded in 1967.
1949
The New South Wales University of Technology was created by an act of the state parliament with the main campus in Kensington with regional centres in Newcastle, Wollongong and Broken Hill. In 1958 the university was renamed to the University of NSW (UNSW).
1967
The faculty of Military Studies is established at the Royal Military College (RMC) at Duntroon to deliver degree programs on behalf of UNSW. The university demonstrated that it was possible to deliver an academic education in a military environment.
1984
UNSW established the University College, Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra. In 1986 The University College enrols its first students and the Defence Academy its first new entry officer cadets.
2001
The ‘University College’ is renamed ‘UNSW Canberra’
2009
Signing of a new agreement between the Commonwealth and UNSW for the provision of educational services at ADFA until 2023. Two decades after the Defence Academy was opened the number of postgraduate and doctoral research papers had increased to 385 with income generated from external research activities raising to $5.1 Mil.
2017
In its 50th Year of operations, there were 978 undergraduates at UNSW Canberra. Over 15,000 defence and non-Defence civilians have graduated from UNSW Canberra since 1967 and they have contributed to both the nations defence and its material prosperity.
2020
ACT Chief Minister Andrew Barr announces that the land on Constitution Avenue in the city’s east will be home to the new UNSW Canberra City campus and Launch at Canberra City. The new campus will provide the opportunity to expand on the courses currently offered at the Australian Defence Force Academy.
