UNSW Canberra City
UNSW Canberra is establishing a new campus in Canberra’s CBD. Building on the University’s achievements, the new campus will allow us to expand our offerings in Canberra by delivering world class education, research and innovation within the Parliamentary Triangle.
About
UNSW Canberra has been in the ACT since 1967, and has been partnering with Defence for over 55 years. Driven by the University’s growth in Canberra, in 2017 UNSW signed an MOU with the ACT Government to establish a campus on the site on Constitution Ave, spanning across Reid and Parkes.
The site occupies both sides of Constitution Avenue. The Canberra Institute of Technology (CIT) in Reid, and a large on-grade car park in Parkes.
Stage 1 of the future Canberra City campus is expected to be completed in 2026. In the interim, UNSW has begun operations out of existing CIT Reid buildings.
UNSW Canberra City Campus
Constitution Avenue, Canberra ACT
Future campus
In April 2023, ACT Government approved the UNSW Canberra City Master Plan. The Plan guides the campus development and positions the building envelopes, open green spaces as well as road and pedestrian networks.
The Master Plan was developed in alignment with four key design principles:
- A unifying gesture connected to its context
- A lively precinct which enhances the broader neighbourhood
- A campus which is comfortable throughout the seasons
- A complete campus which allows for flexibility and variety while ensuring a cohesive sense of place
About Stage 1
UNSW Canberra is taking the next step in the realisation of the Canberra City Master Plan with commencement of the Stage 1 development. The ACT Government endorsed Stage 1 in December 2024, with formal approval currently under assessment.
The Stage 1 development includes the construction of two multi-use contemporary buildings that will host teaching and research spaces; retail offerings; cultural and student-focused spaces; and facilities for new and existing industry partners.
The campus is expected to open from Term 1, 2028.
The vision for UNSW Canberra City
UNSW Canberra City will establish a teaching, research and innovation environment in Canberra that is aligned to UNSW’s commitment of becoming Australia’s global university.
UNSW has been proudly partnering with Defence in Canberra for more than fifty years. UNSW’s second Canberra campus will build on UNSW Canberra’s achievements, by creating a world class environment within the National Triangle. The new campus enables UNSW’s strategic priorities of academic excellence, social engagement and global impact to thrive.
The campus environment will provide a sense of place and pride in UNSW. Students, staff, alumni, members of the local community, and partners from the defence and security community located adjacent to the campus, will come together to innovate, transform, learn and contribute to society.
The new UNSW Canberra City campus in the Parliamentary Triangle will rejuvenate the area with cycle ways, walking paths, green spaces, attractive landscaping and sustainable architecture.
When fully realised, the UNSW Canberra City campus will create more than 2000 jobs locally and welcome around 6000 students from Australia and overseas, bolstering local business and higher education.
As a member of Australia’s Group of Eight leading research intensive universities and ranked 19th* in the world, UNSW Canberra City will build on the ACT’s reputation for tertiary excellence.
*QS World University Rankings 2024
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