Griffith University facts for kids
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| Motto |
Make it matter
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|---|---|
| Type | Public research university |
| Established | 30 December 1971 |
| Accreditation | TEQSA |
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Academic affiliations
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| Budget | A$1.16 billion (2023) |
| Chancellor | Andrew Fraser |
| Vice-Chancellor | Carolyn Evans |
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Total staff
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4,642 (FTE, 2023) |
| Students | 44,427 (2023) |
| Undergraduates | 30,924 bachelor (2023) |
| Postgraduates | 8,442 coursework (2023) 1,931 research (2023) 2,104 other (2023) |
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Other students
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1,026 (2023) |
| Location | , , |
| Campus | Urban, parkland and regional with multiple sites |
| Named after | Samuel Griffith |
| Colours | Red |
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Sporting affiliations
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Griffith University is a public university in South East Queensland, on the east coast of Australia. A public university is funded by the government, and a research university is a place where students and professors make new discoveries.
The university was founded in 1971 and officially opened in 1975. It is named after Sir Samuel Walker Griffith, a very important person in Australia's history. He was a leader in Queensland twice and the first Chief Justice of the High Court of Australia. He also helped write the Australian Constitution, which is the main set of rules for the country.
Griffith University started with just one campus and 451 students. Now, it has grown to have five campuses across three cities: Gold Coast, Logan, and Brisbane. A sixth campus opened in the Brisbane city center in 2027. Today, about 50,000 students from over 130 countries study at Griffith.
Students can study many different subjects, like business, law, science, health, education, engineering, and the arts.
Contents
History of the University
How It All Began
In 1965, a large area of natural bushland in a Brisbane suburb called Nathan was chosen for a new university. By 1970, the government decided to create a brand-new university there.
On September 30, 1971, the Queensland Government officially created Griffith University. When it opened on March 5, 1975, it had 451 students studying in four schools: Australian Environmental Studies, Humanities, Modern Asian Studies, and Science.
Growing Bigger
In the 1990s, many universities and colleges in Australia joined together. This was a time of big changes for education.
In 1990, the Mount Gravatt Teachers College and the Gold Coast College of Advanced Education became part of Griffith University. A year later, the Queensland Conservatorium of Music also joined. In 1992, the Queensland College of Art (QCA), which started in 1881, became the final piece of the puzzle.
Griffith's fifth campus, Logan, opened in 1998. It was built to serve the people living in the Logan City area.
The university was also an official partner for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games, a major international sports event.
The University's Campuses
Griffith University's campuses are known for being set in beautiful, natural areas even though they are in cities.
Gold Coast Campus
Located in the suburb of Southport, the Gold Coast campus is the largest, with over 19,000 students. It is built on land that traditionally belongs to the Yugambeh and Kombumerri peoples.
The campus has a large health center and is right next to the Gold Coast University Hospital. It's easy to get to, with its own stations for the G:link light rail tram.
Logan Campus
The Logan campus is home to about 2,000 students. It focuses on subjects like human services, social work, nursing, business, and education.
Nathan Campus
Nathan is the original Griffith campus and is located about 10 kilometers from the center of Brisbane. It sits beside the Toohey Forest. Over 13,000 students study subjects here like business, engineering, law, and science.
The buildings on the Nathan campus were designed to blend in with the forest. The library even won an award for its design. In 2013, the Sir Samuel Griffith Centre opened. This special building is powered by solar panels and hydrogen energy.
Mount Gravatt Campus
Next to the Nathan campus is the Mount Gravatt campus, with 4,400 students. This is where students study social sciences and humanities. It is a center for research on important topics like education and suicide prevention. The campus has a swimming pool, tennis courts, and other sports facilities.
South Bank Campus
The South Bank campus is in Brisbane's cultural area and is the university's creative center. It includes the Queensland College of Art, the Queensland Conservatorium, and the Griffith Film School. About 3,400 students study here.
Brisbane City Campus
In 2024, Griffith University announced it would turn the historic Treasury Building in Brisbane into its sixth campus. It opened in 2027 and is a center for students studying business, IT, and law.
What You Can Study
Griffith University is divided into four main academic groups. Each group has different schools for various subjects.
Arts, Education, and Law
- Criminology and Criminal Justice
- Education and Professional Studies
- Humanities, Languages and Social Science
- Law
- Art
- Film
- Music
Griffith Business School
- Accounting, Finance and Economics
- Management
- Tourism and Marketing
- Government and International Relations
Griffith Health
- Applied Psychology
- Health Sciences and Social Work
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Nursing and Midwifery
- Pharmacy and Medical Sciences
Griffith Sciences
- Engineering and Built Environment
- Environment and Science
- Information and Communication Technology
Research and Discoveries
| University rankings | |
|---|---|
| QS World | 268 |
| ARWU World | 201–300 |
| US News World | 238 |
| Australian rankings | |
Researchers at Griffith study important topics like water science, climate change, crime prevention, and health. The university has many research centers, including the Australian Rivers Institute, the Cities Research Institute, and the Institute for Glycomics, which works on finding new drugs and vaccines.
In 2021, a research team from Griffith made an exciting discovery. They found a new type of tree frog in New Guinea that looks like it's made of chocolate. It is now known as the "chocolate frog".
The university is well-regarded around the world. Rankings often place it among the top 300 universities globally.
Life as a Student
Student Groups and Clubs
Griffith has many clubs for students interested in culture, sports, and different hobbies. The Griffith University Student Representative Council (GUSRC) speaks for undergraduate students, while the Griffith University Postgraduate Students Association (GUPSA) helps postgraduate students.
On the Gold Coast campus, the Student Guild helps run clubs and provides support for students with their studies and well-being.
Student Academy of Excellence
This program is for students who do very well in their studies. It offers them special opportunities like mentoring, travel, and leadership roles to make their university experience even better.
Griffith Sports College
Elite athletes who study at Griffith can join the Sports College. It helps them balance their training and competitions with their university work. Many famous athletes have studied at Griffith, including Olympic swimmers Emma McKeon and Cameron McEvoy.
UniSport Nationals
Griffith University students compete in the UniSport Nationals. This is a huge sports event where universities from all over Australia compete in 31 different sports.
GUMURRII Student Support Unit
The GUMURRII unit is a special support center for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students. It has a location on each campus and helps students from the time they apply until they graduate.
Living on Campus
Griffith has four residential colleges where students can live. Two are on the Nathan campus, one is on the Mt Gravatt campus, and one is on the Gold Coast campus. Living in a college is a great way to make friends and be part of a community. The Brisbane colleges even compete against each other in sports.
Safe Campuses
Griffith University is committed to making its campuses safe and respectful for all students and staff. The university created a Safe Campuses Taskforce to work on programs and policies that ensure everyone feels welcome and secure.
Famous Graduates
Over 300,000 people have graduated from Griffith University. These alumni have become successful in many different fields. They are journalists, musicians, artists, filmmakers, athletes, and politicians who have served in the Australian and Queensland governments.
See also
- List of universities in Australia
