The University of Wollongong(UOW) traces its origins to 1951 when a Division of the then New South Wales University of Technology was established in Wollongong.
Ten years later the Division became the Wollongong College of the University of New South Wales and, in 1975, the University of Wollongong was incorporated by the Parliament of New South Wales as an independent institution. In 1982, the University amalgamated with the Wollongong Institute of Higher Education, which had begun life in 1962 as the Wollongong Teachers' College. The merger sparked a period of rapid growth for the University, and the emergence of a distinctive identity based on a personalised style and a reputation for excellence in teaching and research.
Originally established as a provider of technical education for engineers and metallurgists required for the region's steel industry, the University now offers a wide range of courses across four faculties:
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Arts, Social Sciences and Humanities
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Business and Law
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Engineering and Information Sciences
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Science, Medicine and Health
The University increased the reach of its offerings, establishing the University of Wollongong in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates in 1993, and UOW Shoalhaven in Nowra on the New South Wales South Coast in 2000. In addition, there are UOW campuses in Bega, Batemans Bay, the Southern Highlands, Southern Sydney and South Western Sydney as well as Sydney CBD campus located in the heart of Sydney. The University now offers courses in conjunction with partner institutions in a number of offshore locations including Singapore, Malaysia and Hong Kong.
The first building established on the Wollongong Innovation Campus, iC Central, was opened by then NSW Premier Morris Iemma in 2008. Innovation Campus (iC) is a 33 hectare research and commercial precinct in North Wollongong. Designed to drive partnerships and collaboration between the research and business communities, iC offers space where commercial and research organisations can work together in contemporary facilities. The iAccelerate building opened in 2016, offering space for up to 200 budding entrepreneurs to develop their ideas.
Student outcomes
UOW graduates are well respected and are consistently ranked among the top one percent in the world by employers. We pride ourselves on preparing people for emerging industries and future jobs, people who are ready to succeed, and take their careers to the next level to make a positive contribution to their communities.
Research with purpose
QS World University Rankings 2021
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Top 10 in Oceania for citations per faculty
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5 stars for research quality
Nature Index 2020
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Top 10 institutions in Australia
Australia (ERA) 2018
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90% of UOW disciplines that were assessed in the most recent ERA in 2018 were rated 'At', 'Above' or 'Well above world standard', based on results at the 4-digit FOR code level.
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More than 73% of assessed disciplines were rated as 'Above' or 'Well above world standard', based on results at the 4-digit FOR code level.
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The number of UOW disciplines rated as “Well above world standard” has more than tripled since 2012.
Research and Engagement Impact (EI) 2018
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95% of UOW’s disciplines were rated as ‘High’ or ‘Medium’ for research impact.
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UOW ranked equal 7th out of 40 universities by number of ‘High’ and ‘Medium’ rated impact case studies and ranked equal 16th out of 40 universities by number of ‘High’ rated impact case studies.
Australian campuses
UOW is a global network of campuses, delivering world-class research and teaching to students in Australia, the United Arab Emirates, Hong Kong, Malaysia and Singapore.
You can find where your preferred course is offered by searching Course Finder. Our domestic campuses are located in Wollongong, Sydney and in regional centres.
Wollongong
UOW’s main Wollongong campus is set in native Australian bush and is one of the most picturesque university campuses in Australia. Less than two kilometres east is UOW’s Innovation Campus – a research and technology precinct that houses innovative organisations as well as some of UOW’s leading research institutes.
