Our vision
We're driven by the pursuit of excellence in research and education for a just and equitable society.
UNSW Canberra’s vision
UNSW Canberra aims to deliver UNSW’s strategic vision: to improve lives globally, through innovative research, transformative education and commitment to a just society.
UNSW Canberra’s mission is to support lifelong learning through innovation and engagement whilst leveraging our location to build meaningful relationships across Defence, industry, government and academia. We aim to create inclusive communities focused on solving real-world problems by supporting our people in leadership and research excellence.
Our commitment to these objectives aligns with UNSW’s Strategy.
High-quality education
Providing a high-quality education is the core business of UNSW Canberra.
Our strength in defence and security, teaching and research, gives our graduates a competitive edge. We've educated those at the top of Defence, government and industry for more than 50 years, with courses designed and taught by some of the world's leading academics in their field.
Research excellence
We have a diverse research community, passionate about tackling complex 21st-century challenges from artificial intelligence and capability systems to cyber security and war studies. Discover how we generate critical breakthroughs, shed light on social and ethical challenges, and forge the path for future discoveries in defence capabilities.
We help strengthen and secure Australia’s future through our unique partnerships with Defence and the defence industries. Our research addresses and delivers solutions to some of the world’s most complex defence and security problems.
International leadership
As an Australian university with international standing we:
- broaden the student experience by recruiting international students of the highest calibre
- support researchers to collaborate with the best in their fields internationally
- form strategic partnerships with select international universities and specialist institutions
- tackle important global problems through our research and equip students to be leaders in their fields.
Unique defence focus
As the official education provider for the Australian Defence Force Academy, UNSW Canberra has been educating and preparing global leaders since 1967.
We’re committed to:
- enhancing the intellectual edge of Australia’s Defence Force
- supporting ADFA’s Joint Professional Military Education program
- developing future global leaders.
Explore
Study with us
Explore our undergraduate, postgraduate and research programs. Fields include defence studies, arts, business, engineering, IT and science. The courses are designed and taught by top teachers and researchers with a focus on real-world issues.
Our research & impact
We’re an internationally recognised, successful, research-intensive university – listed first in Australia for research excellence and impact. Though renowned for our excellence in defence research, we also generate new knowledge across a range of fields in non-defence related areas.
UNSW 2025 Strategy
Our vision aligns with UNSW’s 2025 Strategy — to further advance academic excellence, social impact and global engagement.