Study in Adelaide (2024)

The three main universities in Adelaide are Flinders University, The University of Adelaide, and the University of South Australia.

The University of Adelaide is a world-renowned university and has produced hugely successful alumni, including 109 Rhodes Scholars, five Noble Laureates, and 130 Fulbright Scholars. The university strives to be a place of learning that embraces diversity among its students. It wants to be a place where the Kaurna people, the original custodians of the campus land, are acknowledged and their culture is respected.

The university has three areas of focus: education, research, and engagement within the community. The university has 21,461 students, 7,385 of whom are international. The top seven countries represented on campus apart from Australia are China, Singapore, Malaysia, Hong Kong, Vietnam, India and Indonesia.

Adelaide has four main campuses, each with its own distinctive profile. These are North Terrace, Roseworthy, The Waite, and Thebarton. North Terrace is located just north of the CBD in Adelaide, on the outskirts of Elder Park.

Flinders University is a public university that was founded in 1966. It currently has 25,186 students. The university focuses on industry-driven degrees, combining academic study with real-world experience. Their teaching takes notice of industry trends, and most degrees offer placement opportunities and practical experiences to enhance classroom learning.

The main campus is at Bedford Park, which is south of the city of Adelaide. However, there are other campuses both in Adelaide, across Australia, and internationally. Victoria Square is located in the Adelaide CBD, whereas the Tonsley campus is in Tonsley, South Australia. Subject areas that are available for study at Flinders include creative arts and media, medicine, nursing and midwifery, innovation and enterprise, law, and criminology.

The University of South Australia ranked 26^th in the world in the QS Top 50 Under 50 2018, a ranking of the top young universities around the world. The university offers degree programs across a wide range of subjects, such as business, law, arts and social sciences, information technology, education, and the environment. It has approximately 31,930 students, of which 5,124 are international students.

The University of South Australia has six campuses, including Adelaide - City East, Adelaide - City West, Magill, Mawson Lakes, Whyalla, and Mount Gambier. Each campus has its own distinct vibe and offers different areas of study. For example, the programs offered at Whyalla reflect the needs and priorities of rural and regional Australia, such as nursing, social work, primary teaching, and engineering.

Adelaide is renowned internationally for its incredible culture. South Australia is known for being the festival state, due to the plethora of festivals taking place throughout the year and Adelaide is at the center of many of them. The city is home to a huge array of live music venues, museums and galleries, public art, Aboriginal cultural attractions, and theatres.

Most festivals in Adelaide take place during ‘Mad March’, when both the Fringe Festival and Adelaide Festival of the Arts both take place. The Fringe is the world’s second-largest annual arts festival, and the largest in the Southern Hemisphere. More than 5,000 artists from around the world come to Adelaide and perform at the festival. The WOMADelaide music festival also takes place in March.

Other arts festivals include the International Guitar Festival, and the Adelaide Film Festival. For those wanting to learn about Australia’s indigenous history and culture, the Spirit Festival, which also takes place annually in March, will be a must-visit event. Other notable cultural festivals include the OzAsia festival and the INDOfest, which encourage learning about Asian and Indonesian cultures respectively. For foodies, there are several high-profile events, including Cheesefest, the Food and Wine Festival and Tasting Australia.

Adelaide has a varied and vibrant music scene, with live music performed every night throughout the city. Iconic live venues include the Grace Emily, Jive, Casablabla, Fat Controller, and the Jade Monkey. The nightlife in Adelaide is quieter than in both Melbourne and Sydney, but the city offers an eclectic mix that comes alive at weekends. There are also a huge number of gastropubs and wine bars throughout the city and the University of Adelaide’s union bar is extremely supportive of up-and-coming Australian music, regularly featuring both local and international bands. There are also musical institutions such as the Adelaide Town Hall and the Elder Hall, which play a varied mix of live music from jazz to rock. The Adelaide Symphony Orchestra performs over 100 concerts every year and there is also the State Opera of South Australia, the Adelaide Youth Orchestra, and the Adelaide Chamber Choir, for those that prefer a more traditional sound.

Adelaide has a huge collection of museums and galleries. The Art Gallery of South Australia is home to 38,000 pieces, from Australia, North America, Europe and Asia, with everything from paintings, to sculptures and even eclectic pieces of furniture found under its roof. The Jam Factory Contemporary Craft and Design studio in the city’s West End is also worth a visit. This contemporary gallery houses purpose-built studios, where visitors can watch as artists work.

The South Australian Museum has five floors of displays for those interested in everything from natural history to Aboriginal culture. In fact, this museum is home to the world’s biggest display of Aboriginal artefacts. In a similar vein, you can also visit the Tandanya National Aboriginal Cultural Institute, an Aboriginal art space and the oldest Aboriginal-owned and managed multi-arts center. For those interested in both history and diversity, also find time to visit the Migration Museum and the Ayers House Museum.

Adelaide has a Mediterranean climate, with warm to hot dry summers, and short winters. Most rainfall falls in the winter months, peaking in June. Adelaide is a quite windy city, which often makes the temperature feel colder than it really is. Average temperatures range from 28°C/82°F in the summer months of December, January and February, to 15°C/59°F in July.

As with anywhere in Australia, the sun is extremely strong and sun protection is always advised. Even on cloudy days, remaining protected and hydrated is crucial. There are water stations located throughout the city, so you can fill up your water bottle for free.

In terms of transport, most locals use the Adelaide metro. The city’s public transport system has an extensive array of services, including buses, trains and trams, both in the city and greater metropolitan area. The system is completely integrated, which means the same ticket or Metrocard can be used on all types of travel, and the connection times between each mode of transport are usually good. There are also a number of free ways to travel, such as the free city connector, which serves the city and North Adelaide, and links all major tourist destinations. There is also a free tram service from Adelaide Entertainment center to South Terrace.

According to Flinders University, Adelaide is a relatively cheap place to live. Statistics show it costs 21 percent more to live in Melbourne and 23 percent more to live in Sydney. Adelaide is also around 4 percent cheaper than both Perth and Brisbane. Accommodation can range from $125 per week for a shared room, up to $390 for a large single room. Public transport costs between $20-35 per week, and utility bills cost around $40-55 per week.

Adelaide’s two largest hospitals are the Royal Adelaide hospital, and the Flinders Medical center, both of which are teaching hospitals. Other major hospitals in the Adelaide area are the Women’s and Children’s hospital in North Adelaide, the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Woodville, and the Lyell McEwin Hospital in Elizabeth. There are more specific patient services located in Adelaide too, such as the Hampstead Rehabilitation Centre in Northfield, and the Glenside Campus Mental Health Service. Adelaide also has a number of private hospitals in both the city center and surrounding suburbs. There are also numerous doctor’s surgeries and pharmacies located throughout Adelaide.