Newcastle uni
ranked top 3%
in the world*

UON Central Coast:
Your Local University

Since 1989, our Central Coast campus has delivered educational excellence to thousands of students in the region. From 2015, our Central Coast campus at Ourimbah will be complemented by our brand new facility in Gosford, housed in the state-of-the-art 'Kibbleplex' in the heart of the CBD. This technology-rich, next-generation facility will incorporate library, learning and innovation spaces and ensure even more people in Gosford and across the Central Coast can access the benefits of a world-class university education.

UON Central Coast has made a real difference to the region. We continue to celebrate the successes of our high-achieving students and the pioneering work of our leading researchers.

Dr Chris Scarlett

“Being part of this research, among a group of leading Australian scientists, has been extremely satisfying.”

Central Coast researcher in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Dr Chris Scarlett, played an integral part in the largest collaborative pancreatic cancer study ever undertaken which will have a massive impact on the way pancreatic cancer patients are treated.

Our students give us top marks for teaching

The high quality of our teaching staff is recognised by our graduates who rate them in the upper quarter of Australian universities. Our graduates also give them an Overall Satisfaction rating of 82 per cent*.

Many of our teachers are leaders in their fields with national recognition, thinking outside of the box and inspiring our students to learn in new and innovative ways.

* Australian Graduate Survey 2012

Professor
Phil Morgan

“I teach future primary school teachers about the importance of health and physical education and research-based strategies to influence physical activity and nutrition in children. Being able to build my students' confidence is extremely motivating and rewarding.”

Professor Phil Morgan, leader in health education and winner of the Award for Teaching Excellence in the 2012 Australian Awards for University Teaching. He teaches with passion and flair and uses humour to engage his students who describe him as ‘inspiring, humble and switched-on’.

Professor
Tracy Levett-Jones

“I believe that nursing education is all about instilling a passion for the profession.”

Nursing lecturer Professor Tracy Levett-Jones is dedicated to preparing a future generation of nurses to improve patient outcomes. She has been awarded seven teaching and learning awards in recent years and has published widely in the areas of teaching and learning and patient safety.

Dr Michael
Ondaatje

“Enthusiasm is a vital ingredient for inspiring students to learn. I encourage my students to express themselves and take chances with their thinking.”

Dr Michael Ondaatje, American History academic and winner of a 2011 Teaching Excellence Award from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. He begins every lecture with music to help bring the subject matter to life.

World-class research

The University of Newcastle is known for outstanding success in research.

Our researchers lead the world in fields as diverse as geotechnical science and engineering, energy and resources, reproductive biology, plant biology, applied mathematics, and health and medical sciences.

We are home to two leading research institutes – the Newcastle Institute for Energy and Resources (NIER) and the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI). Both institutes demonstrate our understanding of community needs and our successful and valued partnerships with industry, business and the community.

Associate Professor Rob Atkin

“Gaining a research fellowship at the University of Newcastle was a huge boost for me because it allowed me to establish myself in the field and build a research team.”

Newcastle physical chemist researcher, Associate Professor Rob Atkin, is making an important contribution to the development of better and potentially greener industrial liquids.

Professor Clare Collins

Newcastle researcher Professor Clare Collins is leading the fight against obesity in Australia through her research on optimising dietary intake. She has also been an off-camera consultant to the popular weight loss television program The Biggest Loser and has contributed to six books on weight loss.

Matt Dunn

“Research is a great career for someone who is self-motivated. I love the combination of the mental challenge involved in reading literature, designing experiments and analysing results, along with the physical execution of laboratory work and the very meticulous skills that requires.”

Newcastle PhD student Matt Dunn is using his skills in biochemistry and protein analysis to investigate the effects of new anti-cancer drugs on leukaemia and breast cancer.

Dr Chris Scarlett

“Being part of this research, among a group of leading Australian scientists, has been extremely satisfying.”

Central Coast researcher in the School of Environmental and Life Sciences, Dr Chris Scarlett, played an integral part in the largest collaborative pancreatic cancer study ever undertaken which will have a massive impact on the way pancreatic cancer patients are treated.

Our graduates
get jobs

Having a degree from the University of Newcastle gives our students a qualification with lasting value. We produce successful, well-equipped graduates who are in demand.

Nearly three quarters (73 per cent) of our bachelor degree graduates find a full-time job within four months of completing their qualification. The median starting salary for our bachelor degree graduates is $2,000 higher than the national average. Our highest earning first year bachelor degree graduates are engineers, with salaries as high as $67,000 per annum.

* Australian Graduate Survey 2011

Loren Collyer

“Completing the professional program at the same time as my Bachelor of Laws really prepared me for practise as a solicitor. Since graduating I have worked on large litigation matters and now assist the NSW State Coroner. I have also been involved in providing educational programs for Indigenous lawyers and law students.”

Loren Collyer, Bachelor of Laws/Diploma of Legal Practice graduate (2006), Solicitor, NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office and Director of the Ngalaya NSW Aboriginal Lawyers Association.

Dr Glenn Platt

“My engineering degree opened the door to an amazing world of using high technology for problem solving. I now lead a team at the CSIRO trying to solve the energy challenges facing Australia and the rest of the world.”

Dr Glenn Platt, Bachelor of Engineering graduate (2000), MBA graduate (2010), 2012 Young Alumni Award Winner and CSIRO local energy systems team leader.

Associate Professor Mark Parsons

Associate Professor Mark Parsons is regarded as one of Australia's most renowned clinical stroke researchers and a leading early career researcher in the brain imaging field.

Associate Professor Mark Parsons, Bachelor of Medicine graduate (1992), Senior Staff Specialist in Neurology at John Hunter Hospital and joint recipient of the 2012 Alumni Award medal.

Linda Bergskas

“Studying visual communications at the University of Newcastle not only gave me the skills to start my own international fashion design company – it also gave me confidence in myself.”

Linda Bergskas, Bachelor of Visual Communication Design graduate (2002), winner of the 2012 Newton-John award for innovation and creativity, and Director and CEO of Guanabana Designs, a label worn by celebrities including Jennifer Hawkins and Serena Williams.

Erin Ruprecht

“I found the University of Newcastle to be a wonderfully supportive and resourceful environment. They provided me with the skills required to ensure that the care I am directing is current and evidence based; with person centred care being a top priority.”

Erin Ruprecht, Bachelor of Nursing graduate (2012), Clinical Care Co-ordinator at Calvary Care