University of South Australia
Adelaide, Australia • Founded 1991 • World Rank #688
Updated May 2026
Overview
Established in 1991, the University of South Australia is a non-profit public higher education institution located in the urban setting of the metropolis of Adelaide (population range of 1,000,000-5,000,000 inhabitants), South Australia.
This institution also has a branch campus in Whyalla and Mount Gambier. Officially recognized by the Department of Education and Training of Australia, University of South Australia (UNISA) is a large-sized coeducational Australian higher education institution.
University of South Australia (UNISA) offers courses and programs leading to officially recognized higher education degrees such as pre-bachelor's degrees (i.e. certificates, diplomas, associate or foundation), bachelor's degrees, master's degrees and doctorate degrees in several areas of study. This 33-year-old Australian higher-education institution has a selective admission policy based on students' past academic records and grades.
The acceptance rate range is 70-79% making this Australian higher education organization a moderately selective institution.
International applicants are eligible to apply for enrollment. UNISA also provides several academic and non-academic facilities and services to students including a library, housing, sports facilities, financial aids and/or scholarships, study abroad and exchange programs, online courses and distance learning opportunities, as well as administrative services.
Location & Contact
Address book entry for University of South Australia: location, phone, email, web, and social channels. The press or media office handles institutional inquiries; admissions handles student-specific queries.
Academic Details
Enrolment, faculty headcount, and accreditation data for University of South Australia — the academic basics in one place. Cross-reference these against programme-specific data when finalising your shortlist.
Academic Structures
University of South Australia's academic structure — the schools, colleges, and divisions inside the institution — is laid out below. Use this map when figuring out which faculty owns the programme you want.
Unit 4 items
- Division of Education, Arts and Social Sciences
- Division of Health Sciences
- Division of IT, Engineering and the Environment
- UniSA Business School
Faculties & Divisions
All faculties operate under Department of Education and Training of Australia.
Centre for Regional Engagement (Centre) 6 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Business Administration
- Management
- Midwifery
- Nursing
- Social Policy
- Social Work
Business (Department/Division) 22 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Accountancy
- Administration
- Banking
- Business Administration
- Business and Commerce
- Criminal Law
- Economics
- Finance
- Hotel Management
- Human Resources
- Labour and Industrial Relations
- Labour Law
- Law
- Leadership
- Leisure Studies
- Marketing
- Private Law
- Public Law
- Real Estate
- Sports Management
- Taxation
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Business Analyst
- Operations Manager
- Strategy Consultant
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Education, Arts and Social Sciences (Department/Division) 38 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Architecture
- Art History
- Art Management
- Behavioural Sciences
- Cinema and Television
- Cognitive Sciences
- Communication Studies
- Cultural Studies
- Dance
- Design
- Education
- Educational Sciences
- Fine Arts
- Gender Studies
- Handicrafts
- Indigenous Studies
- Industrial Design
- Interior Design
- International Studies
- Journalism
- Linguistics
- Mass Communication
- Media Studies
- Modern Languages
- Multimedia
- Performing Arts
- Political Sciences
- Psychology
- Radio and Television Broadcasting
- Social and Community Services
- Social Policy
- Social Welfare
- Social Work
- Sociology
- Special Education
- Teacher Training
- Theatre
- Visual Arts
Common Career Paths
- Teacher
- Educational Administrator
- Curriculum Specialist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Health Sciences (Department/Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Health Sciences
Common Career Paths
- Research Scientist
- Lab Technician
- Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Information Technology, Engineering and the Environment (Department/Division) 16 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Civil Engineering
- Computer Engineering
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Energy Engineering
- Environmental Studies
- Industrial Engineering
- Information Management
- Information Technology
- Materials Engineering
- Mathematics
- Mechanical Engineering
- Parks and Recreation
- Production Engineering
- Statistics
- Surveying and Mapping
- Water Science
Common Career Paths
- IT Consultant
- Network Engineer
- Cybersecurity Analyst
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Accounting, Governance and Sustainability (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Accountant
- Auditor
- Financial Controller
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Advanced Computing (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Applied Psychological Research (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Bartbara Handy (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Comparative Water Policies and Law (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Law
- Water Management
Common Career Paths
- Lawyer
- Legal Consultant
- Compliance Officer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Defence and Systems Institute (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Environmental Risk Assessment and Remediation (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Media Producer
- Content Strategist
- Broadcast Journalist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Human Resource Management (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Human Resources
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Ian Wark (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Polymer and Plastics Technology
Industrial and Applied Mathematics (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Applied Mathematics
- Mathematics and Computer Science
Common Career Paths
- Data Analyst
- Statistician
- Actuary
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Languages and Culture (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Common Career Paths
- Translator
- Interpreter
- Language Teacher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Marketing Science (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Ehrenberg-Bass
Common Career Paths
- Marketing Manager
- Brand Strategist
- Digital Marketer
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Mawson Institute (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Nutritional Physiology Research (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Regulation and Market Analysis (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Rural Health and Community Development (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Sansom Institute (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Medicine
- Pharmacy
Sleep Research (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Sustainable Design and Behaviour (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Zero Waste SA
Common Career Paths
- Designer
- Creative Director
- UX Researcher
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Sustainable Societies (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Hawke
Sustainable Systems and Technologies (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Telecommunications Research (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Telecommunications Engineering
Common Career Paths
- Journalist
- Public Relations Specialist
- Content Strategist
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Tourism and Leisure Management (Research Division) 2 subjects offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Leisure Studies
- Tourism
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Water Management and Reuse (Research Division) 1 subject offered
Specialisations & Subjects
- Water Management
Common Career Paths
- Operations Manager
- Project Manager
- HR Manager
Illustrative career directions for this field; specific outcomes depend on programme and student choices.
Work and Life (Research Division) Faculty details available
Specialisations & Subjects
No specified subjects listed.
Programs Offered
Search the University of South Australia programme catalogue or scan it by degree level. The catalogue updates periodically; recently added programmes may not yet appear in some search-engine results.
334 programmes on record. Each level below shows a sample. Compare these on the programs page All programs in Australia
Bachelor's Degree 92 programmes
Showing 10 of 92.
Honours Degree 48 programmes
Showing 10 of 48.
Master's Degree 107 programmes
Showing 10 of 107.
Doctorate 49 programmes
Showing 10 of 49.
Associate's Degree 1 programme
Postgraduate Certificate 15 programmes
Showing 10 of 15.
Postgraduate Diploma 22 programmes
Showing 10 of 22.
How to apply to University of South Australia
What applying to University of South Australia typically involves — research, eligibility check, document prep, submission, and follow-up.
-
1
Research programmes at University of South Australia
Begin by reviewing the programmes section above. University of South Australia offers 334 programmes grouped by qualification level. Decide on a target tier (bachelor's, master's, or doctoral) before narrowing by subject.
-
2
Review admissions criteria
Each programme at University of South Australia has its own entry requirements — academic minimums, language proficiency, supporting documents, and sometimes interviews or portfolios. Check the programme-specific page or contact admissions to confirm eligibility.
-
3
Gather supporting documents
Most applications require certified academic records, identification documents, language test certificates (IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent for English-medium programmes), CV/résumé, and a statement of purpose. Allow extra time for document authentication.
-
4
Lodge your application
Apply directly via University of South Australia's online portal at www.unisa.edu.au. Complete the application form, upload supporting documents, and pay any application fee. Confirmation emails typically arrive within a few business days.
-
5
Confirm receipt and track progress
After submitting, confirm receipt with the admissions office and track your application status through the portal. Reach the institution by phone at +61 (0)8 8302 6611. Set reminders for any interview requests, additional document submissions, or admission decision deadlines.
Frequently Asked Questions about University of South Australia
Common questions about University of South Australia answered concisely, with each answer grounded in the institution's published data.
How old is University of South Australia?
The institution opened in 1991 (approximately 35 years ago).
Where is University of South Australia located?
University of South Australia is located in Adelaide, Australia.
What is University of South Australia's control type?
University of South Australia is a public institution.
What is the student enrolment at University of South Australia?
Student enrolment at University of South Australia is around 20,000-24,999.
Where does University of South Australia stand in university rankings?
University of South Australia holds rank #688 globally and #22 in Australia.
What degrees does University of South Australia offer?
University of South Australia delivers bachelor's, master's and doctoral programmes across its academic units.
What is University of South Australia's academic structure?
The institution comprises 4 academic units.
Is University of South Australia accredited?
University of South Australia is accredited by Department of Education and Training of Australia.
How do I find University of South Australia online?
The institution's website is www.unisa.edu.au.
Top-Ranked Universities in Australia
Graduate-school placement rates among Australia's top universities set the upper bound for that signal. University of South Australia's placement rate relative to leaders is one signal of academic preparation depth.
Members of Universities Australia
Coordination on academic calendars among Universities Australia members eases exchange programme logistics. Aligned terms reduce timing friction when moving between University of South Australia and other members.
Faculties at nearby universities
If University of South Australia's location appeals to you, these nearby universities offer comparable environments and academic breadth. Local clusters tend to share cultural, linguistic, and employment context, which can matter as much as institutional choice itself.
Where Else to Study Business Administration
Practicum and placement requirements vary widely across Business Administration programmes in Australia. Compulsory placements affect total time commitment but typically improve post-graduation employment outcomes.
Universities Compared with University of South Australia
Rankings methodologies differ across peer institutions to University of South Australia. National, subject-specific, and international rankings can all tell different stories about the same set of universities.
Studying in Australia: guides and resources
Spotted something outdated or missing?
Help us keep this page accurate — it takes about 30 seconds.
