Flinders University

By the late 1950s, the University of Adelaide's North Terrace campus was approaching capacity. In 1960, Premier Thomas Playford announced that {{convert|150|ha|acres}} of state government-owned land in Burbank (now Bedford Park) would be allocated to the University of Adelaide for the establishment of a second campus.{{Cite web |title=1958 - 1965 From the ground up |url=http://www.flinders.edu.au/about/our-university/our-history/1958---1965-from-the-ground-up.cfm |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090715023452/http://www.flinders.edu.au/about/our-university/our-history/1958---1965-from-the-ground-up.cfm |archive-date=15 July 2009 |website=Flinders University}}

Planning began in 1961. The principal-designate of the new campus, economist and professor Peter Karmel, was adamant that the new campus should operate independently from the North Terrace campus. He hoped that the Bedford Park campus would be free to innovate and not be bound by tradition.

Capital works began in 1962 with a grant of £3.8 million from the Australian Universities Commission. Architect Geoff Harrison, in conjunction with architectural firm Hassell, McConnell and Partners, designed a new university that, with future expansions, could eventually accommodate up to 6000 students.

In 1965, the Australian Labor Party won the state election and Frank Walsh became premier. The ALP wished to break up the University of Adelaide's hegemony over tertiary education in the state, and announced that they intended the Bedford Park campus to be an independent institution.

File:Flinders_University_Coat_of_Arms.png

On 17 March 1966, a bill was passed by state parliament officially creating The Flinders University of South Australia.http://www.flinders.edu.au:80/about/our-university/our-history/1966---1971-the-first-students.cfm {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100801084725/http://www.flinders.edu.au/about/our-university/our-history/1966---1971-the-first-students.cfm |date=1 August 2010 }} Flinders University – 1966–1971: The first students[https://www.legislation.sa.gov.au/__legislation/lz/c/a/flinders%20university%20act%201966/current/1966.23.auth.pdf Flinders University Act 1966, Version: 1.7.2021] Although the Labor Party had favoured the name "University of South Australia", academic staff wished that the university be named after a "distinguished but uncontroversial" person. They settled upon British navigator Matthew Flinders, who explored and surveyed the South Australian coastline in 1802. Its original coat of arms, designed by a professor in the Fine Arts faculty, included a reproduction of Flinders' ship Investigator and his journal A Voyage to Terra Australis, open to the page in which Flinders described the coast adjacent the campus site.

Flinders University was opened by Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother, on 25 March 1966.

Originally created as an extension of the University of Adelaide, the university council resolved in August 1965 that it would become a separate, independent institution, functioning under its own council from 1 July 1966. Peter Karmel was the first Vice-Chancellor, and teaching at "the University of Adelaide at Bedford Park" began in 1966 with 400 students.{{cite web | title=Independence Day | website=Flinders University | date=1 July 1961 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/history/independence-day | access-date=25 August 2024}}

A significant early initiative was the decision to build the Flinders Medical Centre on land adjacent to the campus and to base the university's Medical School within this new public hospital – the first such integration in Australia. Flinders accepted undergraduate medical students in 1974, with the FMC opening the following year.

Image:Flinders from hill 3.jpg

In 1990, the biggest building project on campus since the mid-1970s saw work commence on three new buildings – Law and Commerce; Engineering; and Information Science and Technology. Approval for the establishment of a School of Engineering was given in 1991 and degrees in Electrical and Electronic Engineering,{{cite web|url=http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/disciplines/eee/|title=Electrical and Electronic Engineering|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716020854/http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/disciplines/eee/|url-status=live}} and Biomedical Engineering{{cite web|url=http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/disciplines/bme/|title=Biomedical Engineering|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716041959/http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/disciplines/bme/|url-status=live}} were established shortly afterwards.

In 1991, as part of a restructuring of higher education in South Australia, Flinders merged with the adjacent Sturt Campus of the former South Australian College of Advanced Education.{{Cite web |title=Antecedent History |url=https://unisa.edu.au/connect/alumni-network/antecedent-history/ |access-date=2023-10-10 |website=Home |language=en}}

In 1992 a four-faculty structure was adopted.

In 1998, the Centre for Remote Health, a rural teaching hospital based in Alice Springs, was established jointly with the Northern Territory University (now Charles Darwin University). This was expanded further in 2011 with the establishment of the Northern Territory Medical Program.{{cite web|url=http://www.flinders.edu.au/medicine/sites/nt-clinical-school/nt-medical-program/|title=Opportunities for Northern Territory applicants|website=www.flinders.edu.au|access-date=5 February 2012|archive-date=18 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120118185434/http://www.flinders.edu.au/medicine/sites/nt-clinical-school/nt-medical-program/|url-status=live}}

Since 2000 the university has established new disciplines in areas including Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and more disciplines of Engineering.{{cite web|url=http://www.flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/disciplines/|title=Disciplines within the School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics|website=www.flinders.edu.au|access-date=23 November 2012|archive-date=16 December 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216052723/http://www.flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/disciplines/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/disciplines/mecheng/|title=Mechanical Engineering|access-date=15 July 2015|archive-date=16 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150716042143/http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/disciplines/mecheng/|url-status=live}}

In 2011, the bacteria genus Flindersiella was named after the university after the strain was found on a tree on campus grounds.{{Cite web|url=https://lpsn.dsmz.de/genus/flindersiella|title=Flindersiella|last=Parte|first=A.C.|website=LPSN|access-date=9 June 2017|archive-date=24 September 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200924124409/https://lpsn.dsmz.de/genus/flindersiella|url-status=live}}

In 2015, the university opened a new campus at Tonsley,{{Cite web|title = Flinders Future Focus|url = http://flindersfuturefocus.flinders.edu.au/major-projects/tonsley/about-tonsley/|website = Flinders Future Focus|access-date = 21 January 2016|language = en-US|url-status = dead|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160115155130/http://flindersfuturefocus.flinders.edu.au/major-projects/tonsley/about-tonsley/|archive-date = 15 January 2016|df = dmy-all}} the former site of the Mitsubishi Motors Australia plant in Southern Adelaide. This campus houses the university's School of Computer Science, Engineering and Mathematics,{{cite web|url=http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem|title=Computer Science, Engineering & Mathematics|website=flinders.edu.au|access-date=5 February 2012|archive-date=15 January 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115235658/http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/csem/|url-status=live}} along with the Medical Device Research Institute,{{cite web|url=http://www.flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/research/mdri/|title=Medical Device Research Institute (MDRI) – Flinders University|website=www.flinders.edu.au|access-date=23 November 2012|archive-date=14 November 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121114042317/http://flinders.edu.au/science_engineering/research/mdri/|url-status=live}} the Centre for Nanoscale Science and Technology (now known as the Flinders Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology){{cite web|url=http://www.flinders.edu.au/nanoresearch/|title=Institute for Nanoscale Science & Technology|website=www.flinders.edu.au|access-date=27 August 2018|archive-date=21 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821063421/https://www.flinders.edu.au/institute-nanoscale-science-technology.html|url-status=live}} and Flinders technology start-up company Re-Timer.{{Cite web|title = Flinders' Tonsley campus links students, research and business|url = http://minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/macfarlane/media-releases/flinders-tonsley-campus-links-students-research-and-business|website = Ministers for the Department of Industry and Science|access-date = 21 January 2016|language = en|first = Ian|last = Macfarlane|archive-date = 26 January 2016|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160126055807/http://minister.industry.gov.au/ministers/macfarlane/media-releases/flinders-tonsley-campus-links-students-research-and-business|url-status = live}}

In 2016, the university celebrated its 50th anniversary with a calendar of public events,{{Cite web|url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/history/50th-anniversary|title=50th Anniversary – Flinders University|website=Flinders University|language=en-au|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017145528/https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/history/50th-anniversary|url-status=live}} and a publication{{Cite book|url=http://trove.nla.gov.au/version/224198820|title=The Investigator transformed : 50 Years of Flinders University|last1=Winkler|first1=Tim|last2=Hedley|first2=Katea|date=2016|publisher=Flinders University|isbn=9780646950808|language=en|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-date=21 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220821063429/https://trove.nla.gov.au/version/224198820|url-status=live}} summarising the highlights of the university's history, research, and alumni achievements over the last 50 years.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/investigator-transformed|title=The Investigator Transformed – Flinders University|website=Flinders University|language=en-au|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017145648/https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/investigator-transformed|url-status=live}} 2016 also saw the opening of the award-winning student hub and plaza, transforming the central campus.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/campus/bedford-park/hub|title=The Plaza and Student Hub|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-date=26 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226211703/https://www.flinders.edu.au/campus/bedford-park/hub|url-status=live}}

The university's strategic plan Making a Difference - The 2025 Agenda released in 2016 set an ambitious vision for the coming decade for Flinders to reach the top ten of Australian Universities, and the top one per cent in the world.{{Cite web|url = https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2016/05/18/flinders-ambitious-decade-of-making-a-difference/|title = Flinders' ambitious decade of making a difference|date = 18 May 2016|access-date = 27 May 2021|archive-date = 27 May 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210527050133/https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2016/05/18/flinders-ambitious-decade-of-making-a-difference/|url-status = live}}

File:Flinders from hill.jpg

On 1 July 2017, the university restructured from a two-tier academic system of four faculties and 14 schools, to a single-tier structure consisting of six colleges.{{Cite news|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/flinders-edges-closer-to-restructure/news-story/2ea4c83925a3ae10c6d6613d32e15511|title=Flinders edges closer to restructure|date=24 November 2016|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-date=29 November 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161129060914/http://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/flinders-edges-closer-to-restructure/news-story/2ea4c83925a3ae10c6d6613d32e15511|url-status=live}}

In 2019 the university announced an additional $100 million investment in research and a further $100 million in education over a five-year period to support it to meet its strategic goals.{{Cite web|url = https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/03/07/flinders-announces-100m-research-investment/|title = Flinders announces $100m research investment|date = 7 March 2019|access-date = 27 May 2021|archive-date = 27 May 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210527050131/https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/03/07/flinders-announces-100m-research-investment/|url-status = live}}

The university also in 2019 announced plans for a substantial development on a tract on land on the northern portion of the Bedford Park Campus adjacent to the Flinders hospitals precinct. Known as Flinders Village the decade-long development will deliver research facilities, student accommodation, commercial premises and amenities.{{Cite web|url = https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/06/03/flinders-village-to-transform-education-health-in-southern-adelaide/|title = Flinders Village to transform education, health in southern Adelaide|date = 2 June 2019|access-date = 27 May 2021|archive-date = 27 May 2021|archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210527050131/https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2019/06/03/flinders-village-to-transform-education-health-in-southern-adelaide/|url-status = live}} The catalyst for the initiative was the extension of the Clovelly Park rail line to the Flinders precinct. The $141m rail line and Flinders Station project began operation in December 2020.Flinders railway station{{Cite web|url=https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/flinders-link-project/|title=Flinders Link Project, Australia|access-date=22 May 2023|archive-date=21 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121015649/https://www.railway-technology.com/projects/flinders-link-project/|url-status=live}} Stage one of the Flinders Village development is the construction of a Health and Medical Research Building. Construction began in December 2021 and the building, which will be home to Flinders Health and Medical Research Institute, is scheduled for completion in 2024.{{Cite web|url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/health-medical-research-institute|title=Flinders Health and Medical Research|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-date=27 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527050131/https://www.flinders.edu.au/health-medical-research-institute|url-status=live}}

In 2021 the university announced it would be expanding its Central Business District presence, establishing a vertical campus as the anchor tenant in Festival Tower, a major development scheduled for completion in 2024 adjacent to Parliament House and the Adelaide Railway Station on North Terrace.{{cite web | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/festival-plaza | title=Flinders is moving on up - New City campus opening 2024 | access-date=18 July 2022 | archive-date=18 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718073447/https://www.flinders.edu.au/festival-plaza | url-status=live }}

In 2022, the newly elected state Labor government led by Peter Malinauskas proposed setting up a commission to investigate the possibility of a merger of South Australia's three public universities: the University of South Australia, the University of Adelaide, and Flinders.{{cite web | url=https://www.petermalinauskas.com.au/policies/south-australian-university-merger | title=South Australian University Merger | access-date=18 July 2022 | archive-date=18 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220718073447/https://www.petermalinauskas.com.au/policies/south-australian-university-merger | url-status=live }} The University of Adelaide and University of South Australia indicated their intention to merge. Flinders University chose to remain an independent entity.{{cite web | url=https://news.flinders.edu.au/blog/2023/07/02/flinders-university-congratulates-the-university-of-adelaide-and-university-of-south-australia-on-historic-decision-to-merge/ | title=Flinders University congratulates the University of Adelaide and University of South Australia on historic decision to merge | date=2 July 2023 }}

File:Professor Colin Stirling at the Flinders University Investigator Lecture in Adelaide 2016.jpg

The responsibilities of the university council are set out in the Flinders University Act, and include:{{cite web | title=University Council | website=Flinders University | date=18 July 2024 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-council | access-date=25 August 2024}}

• appointing the Vice-Chancellor as chief executive officer of the university, and monitoring his or her performance
• approving the mission and strategic direction of the university, as well as the annual budget and business plan
• overseeing and reviewing the management of the university and its performance

The chief executive consists of the president and vice-chancellor, who is supported by the senior executive team. The senior executive team includes the vice-president and executive dean of each of the six colleges.{{cite web | title=Structure | website=Flinders University | date=10 May 2024 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/structure | access-date=25 August 2024}} {{As of|August 2024}} the vice-chancellor is Colin J Stirling.{{cite web | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/structure/vice-chancellor | title=President and Vice-Chancellor| access-date=25 August 2024 }}

The chancellor is John Hood, a chartered accountant and alumnus of the university, who has served two terms on the council (since 2004).{{cite web | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-council/chancellor | title=Chancellor | access-date=25 August 2024}}

Image:Flinders humanities courtyard.jpg

There are six colleges, covering teaching and research expertise in various areas:

• College of Business, Government and Law
• College of Education, Psychology and Social Work
• College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences
• College of Medicine and Public Health
• College of Nursing and Health Sciences
• College of Science and Engineering

{{as of|2025}} the College of Business, Government and Law includes three research centres:{{cite web | title=College of Business, Government and Law, Flinders University | website=Flinders University | date=April 19, 2024 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/college-business-government-law/our-research | access-date=January 27, 2025}}

• Australian Industrial Transformation Institute (AITI)
• Jeff Bleich Centre for Democracy and Disruptive Technologies (JBC; after Jeff Bleich)
• Centre for Social Impact

The College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences is subdivided into three areas:{{cite web | title=Study with the College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences, Flinders University | website=Flinders University | date=6 February 2024 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/college-humanities-arts-social-sciences/study-with-us | access-date=1 September 2024}}

{{anchor|drama}}

• Creative Arts and Media. Specialisations include acting, directing, visual arts, film and television, and visual effects, among others.{{cite web | title=Study Creative Arts and Media at Flinders | website=Flinders University | date=26 September 2022 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/creative-arts-media | access-date=1 September 2024}}
• Drama was established as a foundational area of study in 1967 under playwright Wal Cherry, and Flinders Drama Centre now has an international reputation. A review was undertaken in the years leading up to 2022, and four new permanent academic staff were appointed.{{cite web | title=A future in the arts begins here | website=Flinders University | date=25 November 2022 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/fearless/future-in-the-arts-begins-here | access-date=1 September 2024}} The Flinders Drama Centre started offering professional acting and directing programs in 1971, and many successful actors, directors, and playwrights are alumni of the centre. Alumni also include founding members of many performance groups of different types, including Circus Oz, The Angels, Redgum, and Brink Productions.{{cite web | title=Home | website=Flinders Drama Centre Graduates | url=https://www.flindersdramacentregraduates.com/ | access-date=1 September 2024}} is where Bachelor of Creative Arts (Drama) students study, and includes the 425-seat Matthew Flinders Theatre.{{cite web| url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/documents/open-days-365/study-areas/creative-arts/study-drama-a4-flyer.pdf| title= Explore a career in the spotlight}}
• Bachelor of Creative Arts Screen (BCA) was introduced in 2002 and proved both popular and successful, with graduates winning awards and placements in the film industry, in jobs such as production managers, editors, sound recordists, producers, and directors, in television, new media, and feature films.{{Cite journal | title= Adapt, innovate & collaborate |first= Alison |last=Wotherspoon| journal=RealTime | date=August–September 2002 | issn=1321-4799 | issue= 50 | location=Rushcutters Bay, N.S.W | publisher=Open City Inc | url=http://nla.gov.au/nla.obj-766818451 | id=nla.obj-766818451 | access-date=13 January 2025 | via=Trove}}
• Humanities and Social Sciences. {{as of|2024}} there are 24 majors available in the Bachelor of Arts degree, and the only Bachelor of Archaeology in the state, as well as diplomas and postgraduate degrees.{{cite web | title=Study an Arts degree at Flinders University | website=Flinders University | date=1 August 2024 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/humanities-social-sciences | access-date=1 September 2024}}
• Languages, Culture and Tourism. A variety of modern languages are taught at undergraduate level for Bachelor of Languages or Bachelor of Arts, as well as applied linguistics and Indigenous and Australian culture; in addition, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees are offered in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL){{cite web | title=Study Languages, culture and tourism at Flinders University | website=Flinders University | date=16 February 2022 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/study/languages-culture-tourism | access-date=1 September 2024}}

In 2022 the university's budget was {{AUD}}516.79 million.[https://www.acnc.gov.au/charity/charities/a24ae0a2-38af-e811-a962-000d3ad24a0d/profile Flinders University] on ACNC It had 907 full-time academic and 1,147 administrative members of staff (total 2,054).{{cite web| url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/documents/about/annual-reports/2022-annual-report.pdf |title=Annual Report 2022| date=30 June 2023}}

Image:Flinders University City Campus.jpg

Flinders' main campus at Bedford Park in Adelaide's southern suburbs is set upon {{cvt|156| acres}} of gardens and native bushland,{{citation needed|date=August 2024}} about {{cvt|12|km}} south of the Adelaide city centre.[http://www.flinders.edu.au/campus/location/location_home.cfm Location and getting to Flinders] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120429235511/http://www.flinders.edu.au/campus/location/location_home.cfm |date=29 April 2012 }}, http://www.flinders.edu.au {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200926201425/https://www.flinders.edu.au/ |date=26 September 2020 }} Other campuses include Tonsley,{{cite web|url=http://www.flinders.edu.au/tonsley/|title=Flinders at Tonsley – Flinders University|website=Flinders University|access-date=12 March 2015|archive-date=21 September 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140921073233/http://www.flinders.edu.au/tonsley/|url-status=live}} Adelaide central business district, Renmark, Alice Springs, and Darwin.{{citation needed|date=August 2024}}

The city campus is on North Terrace,{{cite web |title=Building access and facilities |url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/campus/victoria-square/building-access-facilities}}{{cite web|url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/content/dam/documents/study/domestic/festival-plaza/festival-plaza-brochure.pdf|title=Flinders' new city campus|website=Flinders University|date=2024|access-date=24 August 2024}} in the centre of the city.[http://www.flinders.edu.au/victoriasquare/victoriasquare_home.cfm Flinders in the City] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120511014319/http://www.flinders.edu.au/victoriasquare/victoriasquare_home.cfm |date=11 May 2012 }} It also maintains a number of external teaching facilities in regional South Australia, south-west Victoria and the Northern Territory. As of 2020 international students made up 19.5% of the on-campus student population{{Cite web|url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/fast-facts/student-staff-numbers|title=Student and staff numbers|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-date=26 February 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226211709/https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/fast-facts/student-staff-numbers|url-status=live}} and a number of offshore programmes are also offered, primarily in the Asia-Pacific region.

The university website acknowledges that its campuses cover land traditionally associated with a number of Aboriginal Australian peoples, including Arrernte, Dagoman, Jawoyn, Kaurna, Larrakia Ngadjuri, Ngarrindjeri, Ramindjeri, and Warumungu peoples.{{cite web|url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/campus|title=Campus and Locations|website=Fliners University|access-date=24 July 2024}}

The university is a member of the Innovative Research Universities network, which comprises seven universities "committed to inclusive excellence in teaching and research in Australia".{{cite web | title=Our Universities | website=Innovative Research Universities | date=29 April 2024 | url=https://iru.edu.au/our-universities/ | access-date=25 August 2024}}

Flinders University is also affiliated with the following institutions:

• Australian Science and Mathematics School, a coeducational public senior high school for senior years, located on the Bedford Park campus
• Flinders Medical Centre, a large teaching hospital, co-located with the university
• Helpmann Academy, an organisation supporting opportunities for emerging practitioners in the performing and visual arts; in partnership with the University of Adelaide and UniSA

{{Infobox Australian university ranking|QS_W==336|USNWR_W=421|ARWU_W=401–500|ARWU_W_year=2024|CWTS_W=524{{efn|name=a}}|CWTS_W_year=2024|QS_W_year=2025|THE_W=301–350|THE_W_year=2025|USNWR_W_year=24/25|ARWU_N=22–24|ARWU_N_year=2024|CWTS_N=22{{efn|name=a}}|CWTS_N_year=2024|ERA_N=21|ERA_N_year=2018|QS_N=21|QS_N_year=2025|THE_N=20–24|THE_N_year=2025|USNWR_N=26|USNWR_N_year=24/25|AFR_N=15|AFR_N_year=2024|type=University}}

In the 2024 Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities, which measures aggregate performance across the QS, THE and ARWU rankings, the university attained a position of #313 (23rd nationally).{{Cite web |title=University Results |url=https://research.unsw.edu.au/artu/artu-results |website=Aggregate Ranking of Top Universities |publisher=University of New South Wales |language=en-AU |publication-place=Sydney, New South Wales}}

; National publications

In the Australian Financial Review Best Universities Ranking 2024, the university was ranked #15 amongst Australian universities.{{Cite web |title=Best Universities Ranking |url=https://www.afr.com/lists-and-awards/best-universities-ranking |website=Australian Financial Review |publisher=Nine Entertainment |language=en-AU |publication-place=Sydney, New South Wales}}

; Global publications

In the 2025 Quacquarelli Symonds World University Rankings (published 2024), the university attained a tied position of #336 (21st nationally).{{cite web |title=QS World University Rankings 2025: Top Global Universities |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/world-university-rankings |website=QS World University Rankings |publisher=Quacquarelli Symonds |language=en-GB |publication-place=London, United Kingdom}}

In the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2025 (published 2024), the university attained a position of #301–350 (tied 20–24th nationally).{{cite web |title=World University Rankings |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/world-university-rankings |work=Times Higher Education |publisher=Inflexion |language=en-GB |publication-place=London, United Kingdom}}

In the 2024 Academic Ranking of World Universities, the university attained a position of #401–500 (tied 22–24th nationally).{{cite web |title=ShanghaiRanking's Academic Ranking of World Universities |url=https://www.shanghairanking.com/rankings |website=Academic Ranking of World Universities |publisher=Shanghai Ranking Consultancy |language=en |publication-place=Shanghai, China}}

In the 2024–2025 U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities, the university attained a position of #421 (26th nationally).{{Cite web |title=Best Global Universities Rankings |url=https://www.usnews.com/education/best-global-universities/rankings |website=U.S. News & World Report |language=en-US |publication-place=Washington, D.C., United States}}

In the CWTS Leiden Ranking 2024,{{efn|The CWTS Leiden Ranking is based on P (top 10%).|name=a}} the university attained a position of #524 (22nd nationally).{{Cite web |title=CWTS Leiden Ranking |url=https://www.leidenranking.com/ranking/2024/list |website=CWTS Leiden Ranking (Centre for Science and Technology Studies) |publisher=Leiden University |language=en |publication-place=Leiden, Netherlands}}

The Australian Government's QILT{{Efn|Abbreviation for Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching.}} conducts national surveys documenting the student life cycle from enrolment through to employment. These surveys place more emphasis on criteria such as student experience, graduate outcomes and employer satisfaction{{Cite web |title=About |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/About |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224528/https://www.qilt.edu.au/About |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |publication-place=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}} than perceived reputation, research output and citation counts.{{Cite web |last=Bridgestock |first=Laura |date=19 April 2021 |title=World University Ranking Methodologies Compared |url=https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/world-university-ranking-methodologies-compared |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224525/https://www.topuniversities.com/university-rankings-articles/world-university-rankings/world-university-ranking-methodologies-compared |archive-date=2 January 2025 |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quacquarelli Symonds |language=en-GB |publication-place=London, United Kingdom}}

In the 2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey, graduates of the university had an overall employer satisfaction rate of 78%.{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Employer Satisfaction Survey |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-ess-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224527/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-ess-national-report.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |publication-place=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}}

In the 2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey, graduates of the university had a full-time employment rate of 76.6% for undergraduates and 90.3% for postgraduates.{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Graduate Outcomes Survey: National Report |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-gos-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241220062418/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/2023-gos-national-report.pdf |archive-date=20 December 2024 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |publication-place=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}} The initial full-time salary was {{AUD|70000}} for undergraduates and {{AUD|93900}} for postgraduates.

In the 2023 Student Experience Survey, undergraduates at the university rated the quality of their entire educational experience at 78.7% meanwhile postgraduates rated their overall education experience at 74.6%.{{Cite web |date=May 2024 |title=2023 Student Experience Survey |url=https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ses-national-report.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250102224530/https://www.qilt.edu.au/docs/default-source/default-document-library/ses-national-report.pdf |archive-date=2 January 2025 |archive-format=PDF |access-date=14 January 2025 |website=Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching |publisher=Australian Government |language=en-AU |publication-place=Canberra, Australian Capital Territory}}

In 2022 there were 25,247 students enrolled across all campuses.

{{Main| Flinders University Student Association}}

Flinders University Student Association (FUSA), formerly Student Association of Flinders University (SAFU), is a student union.{{Cite web |title=About – FUSA – Flinders University Student Association |url=https://fusa.edu.au/about/ |access-date=2023-10-28 |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=Financial help, loans and grants (FUSA) - Flinders University Students |url=https://students.flinders.edu.au/finances-and-admin/support/help-loans-and-grants |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=Flinders University |language=en}}{{Cite web |date=2023-06-02 |title=2022 FUSA Annual Report by FUSA Association - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/fusa-association/docs/edited_annual_report_2022_for_fusa_website |access-date=2023-10-28 |website=issuu.com |language=en}}

{{Main|Empire Times}}

Empire Times is Flinders University's student newspaper.{{Cite journal |last1=Perry |first1=Paul F. |last2=Cock |first2=Peter H. |date=1977 |title=Australia's Alternative Media |url=https://search.informit.org/doi/10.3316/informit.594230754199411 |journal=Media Information Australia |volume=6 |pages=4–13 |doi=10.1177/1329878X7700600102 |s2cid=157797663 |via=Informit|url-access=subscription }} It has been published by the Flinders University Student Association since 1969, but ceased publication in 2006 as a result of voluntary student unionism, before resuming in 2013 with the reintroduction of SSAF.{{Cite web |title=Empire times - Catalogue {{!}} National Library of Australia |url=https://nla.gov.au/nla.cat-vn749222 |access-date=2023-11-09 |website=nla.gov.au |language=en}}{{Cite journal |last=Forte |first=Jacqui |date=June 2005 |title=Students' Association of Flinders University |url=https://www.aph.gov.au/~/media/wopapub/senate/committee/eet_ctte/completed_inquiries/2004_07/highed_unionfees/submissions/sub155_pdf.ashx |journal=Submission to Senate Employment, Workplace Relations and Education References Committee |volume=Inquiry into the provisions of the Higher Education Support Amendment (Abolition of Compulsory Up-front Union Fees) Bill 2005.}}{{Cite web |title=Empire Times - The life and times of Flinders |url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/about/investigator-transformed/empire-times |access-date=2023-11-04 |website=Flinders University |language=en}} The founder and first editor of the newspaper was Martin Fabinyi, and the newspaper was originally printed in the back of his house by fellow student Rod Boswell. Empire Times had a history of controversial humour and anti-establishment discussion. Notable former editors and contributors included Martin Armiger and Greig (HG Nelson) Pickhaver, Steph Key, and Kate Ellis.{{Cite web|url=https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/9566701|title=Student Newspapers|first1=Bridget |last1= Griffen-Foley |first2= Stephanie |last2=Walker |website= AustLit|language=en|access-date=3 December 2017|archive-date=4 December 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171204171103/https://www.austlit.edu.au/austlit/page/9566701|url-status=live}}

Flinders University has many sports teams that compete in social and competitive competitions. It has affiliated sporting clubs, including aikido, athletics, badminton, basketball, cricket, fencing, football, hockey, judo, lacrosse, men's soccer, netball, squash, table tennis, volleyball, and women's soccer.{{Cite web |date=2016-02-21 |title=Clubs |url=https://www.onesportandfitness.com.au/sport/clubs/ |access-date=2023-09-13 |website=Flinders University Sport and Fitness |language=en-AU}}

Flinders has two options for on-campus accommodation:{{cite web | title=We offer more than a place to sleep | website=Flinders University | date=25 February 2024 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/living | access-date=25 August 2024}}

• University Hall (catered)
• Deirdre Jordan Village (self-catered)

For off-campus accommodation, Flinders Living run a free, up-to-date accommodation service which lists private accommodation available on the rental market.{{cite web | title=Accommodation | website=Flinders University | date=18 October 2023 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/international/living-in-adelaide/accommodation | access-date=25 August 2024}}

The university has also partnered with a student accommodation facility located in the city called The Switch, which provides rooms, shared facilities and living areas.{{cite web | title=Co-living Shared Accommodation in Adelaide for Flinders Students | website=The Switch | date=21 May 2024 | url=https://www.switchliving.com.au/flinders-university/ | access-date=25 August 2024}}

The biennial Wal Cherry Lecture{{cite web | last=Berrigan | first=Michelle | title=2022 Biennial Wal Cherry Lecture | website=Ping! Student news at Flinders | date=19 July 2022 | url=https://blogs.flinders.edu.au/student-news/2022/07/19/2022-biennial-wal-cherry-lecture/ | access-date=6 March 2025}} is held in honour of prolific playwright Wal Cherry, who was foundation professor of drama from 1967. He also chaired the school of language and literature (which became the school of humanities) from 1968 to 1970, and the theatre management committee in from 1968 until 1978, and was dean of University Hall in from 1970 to 1974.{{cite book|url=https://adb.anu.edu.au/biography/cherry-walter-john-wal-12311|title=Australian Dictionary of Biography|chapter=Walter John (Wal) Cherry (1932–1986) |publisher=National Centre of Biography, Australian National University| first=Gus |last=Worby| date=2007 |quote=This article was published in hardcopy in Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 17, (Melbourne University Press), 2007}}

In 2024, Flinders graduate Scott Hicks' 1982 documentary film about the 11th Adelaide Festival of the Arts under artistic director, Jim Sharman, titled The Hall of Mirrors: A Festival, was screened at the Space Theatre in the Adelaide Festival Centre, followed by a conversation with the two men.{{cite web | title=2024 Wal Cherry Lecture | website=Flinders University | date=21 November 2024 | url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/event-galleries/wal-cherry-2024 | access-date=6 March 2025}} The 2024 lecture, presented by the Assemblage Centre for Creative Arts at Flinders, in partnership with the Helpmann Academy and the Don Dunstan Foundation,{{cite web | title=The Hall of Mirrors: A Retrospective 15.11.24 | website=Helpmann Academy | date=4 November 2024 | url=https://helpmannacademy.com.au/the-hall-of-mirrors-a-retrospective/ | access-date=6 March 2025}} was part of the celebration of 50 Years of Flinders Drama Centre.

{{main|List of Flinders University people}}

Graduates of Flinders University include:

• Australian of the Year:{{Cite web|url=https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/|title=Recipients - Australian of the Year|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-date=14 May 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210514201531/https://www.australianoftheyear.org.au/recipients/|url-status=live}} Richard Harris
• Fields Medalist (for maths):{{Cite web|url=https://www.mathunion.org/imu-awards/fields-medal|title=Fields Medal | International Mathematical Union (IMU)|access-date=27 May 2021|archive-date=26 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181226015744/https://www.mathunion.org/imu-awards/fields-medal|url-status=live}} Terry Tao
• Several Rhodes scholars{{Cite web|url=https://www.flinders.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/awards-and-honours/prestigious-fellowships/rhodes-scholars|title=Rhodes scholars – Flinders University|website=Flinders University|language=en-au|access-date=17 October 2017|archive-date=17 October 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171017150712/https://www.flinders.edu.au/alumni/our-alumni/awards-and-honours/prestigious-fellowships/rhodes-scholars|url-status=live}}

File:Sir Eric Neal in Adelaide, South Australia 2016.jpg

Flinders University has been served by seven chancellors and eight vice-chancellors since its establishment in 1966. They are:{{Cite web|url=http://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-officers/former-officers.cfm|title=Flinders University|website=www.flinders.edu.au|access-date=18 April 2016|archive-date=26 April 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160426101731/http://www.flinders.edu.au/about/governance/university-officers/former-officers.cfm|url-status=live}}

{{stack|{{Portal|South Australia}}}}

• AusStage
• Flinders University AusStage Prize
• List of universities in Australia

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{{wikisource|Honoring the Flinders University of South Australia Washington DC Interns and Internship Program}}

{{Commons category}}

• [http://www.flinders.edu.au Flinders University]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20050408202620/http://www.parliament.sa.gov.au/Catalog/legislation/Acts/t/1966.23.htm The Flinders University of South Australia Act 1966]

{{Australian universities}}

{{Australian university groups}}

{{Authority control}}

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Category:1966 establishments in Australia

Category:Australian vocational education and training providers

Category:Education in Adelaide

Category:Educational institutions established in 1966

Category:Nursing schools in Australia

Category:Universities in South Australia

Category:Film schools in Australia