A university for our region

Over six decades, we have opened doors to higher education for thousands, pioneered groundbreaking research to solve local and global challenges, and played a vital role to help create a thriving region.

We are and will always be a university of our regions and for our regions. The spirit of looking to the future - of imagining and then realising possibilities - is embedded in the rich heritage of our university. We are excited to be looking ahead with you.

Our history by the decades

1960s 1970s1980s1990s2000s2010s2020s

1960s

The 60s was a time of counterculture and revolution. The decade was synonymous with new and radical events as people rallied for their causes across the world. In Newcastle, the community was fighting for its cause - its own university.

At a glance:
  • The University of Newcastle was proclaimed on 1 January 1965.
  • In 1966, the University was home to 1,700 students and 140 academic staff with 138 students graduating at the first ceremony
  • We had six faculties: Arts, Science, Commerce, Engineering, Applied Science and Architecture
  • The University grew fast - starting with three faculty buildings and a lecture theatre. In 1967 the Shortland union was built. Stage 1 of the library opened in 1968, and 1969 saw the completion of chemistry and metallurgy buildings, as well as a science lecture theatre, sports pavilion and staff house.
Sir James Vernon unveiling a plaque to mark the official opening of the Chemistry Building
A group of people walking through the street with a sign
A ceremony taking place outside a university building
A group of people walking through the street with a sign
A group of people walking across a bridge

1970s

The 1970s in Australia was a decade of radical reform, and continued social and political change. In 1974, the momentous abolition of higher education fees made a university education more accessible than ever before for Australians who had the ability and determination to participate in higher education.

At a glance:
  • Student numbers peaked for the decade in 1977 at 4,621 students
  • The Faculty of Engineering made its final move from Tighes Hill to Shortland in 1970
  • Between 1971 and 1974, Newcastle College of Advanced Education (formerly Newcastle Teachers College) moved to its current location, across the creek from the University
  • The Faculty of Mathematics arrived in 1971, with Maths and Biological Science buildings opened in 1974
  • Edwards Hall, now the University's oldest residence, opened in 1972
  • In 1973 the Great Hall was officially opened following a community ‘buy-a-brick’ campaign spearheaded by former Newcastle Lord Mayor Frank Purdue
  • The university’s enabling program, Open Foundation, was established in 1974. Today, it is the oldest and largest program of its kind in Australia
  • Following years of lobbying, the University’s Faculty of Medicine was founded in 1975
  • On 17 March 1978 the first FM stereo radio service in the Newcastle area began transmission. The University's 2NUR station started broadcasting community programs, music and sessions for special community groups.
Two men standing in front a plaque unveiling
Four men standing in front a plaque
A large group of people sitting outside
A large room on university campus
A large group of people sitting outside for a ceremony

1980s

After the social revolution of the 60s and 70s, the 1980s was a time of economic reform and change. The 1980s was also a decade for innovation - the modern internet, for example, was developed during this time. New technology was beginning to change the face of the University.

At a glance:
  • By 1989 student numbers had grown to 7,013
  • In 1981 the Friends of the University formed. Since its inception the community group has raised over $1 million for scholarships and university projects
  • Following years of negotiation led by John Heath and Professor Bob Morgan, a small support program for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students called Wollotuka began in 1983
  • The Conservatorium Concert Hall (now Harold Lobb Concert Hall) opened in 1988
  • The student gallery Watt Space opened in Watt Street in 1989
  • In 1989 the University started to deliver classes at the Central Coast campus. The new campus was a collaboration between the University, TAFE and the community college – a strong partnership that continues today.
A group of students all sitting together
Great Hall
Two people walking across a bridge
A group of students in a function hall
A computer

1990s

The face of Newcastle was changing in the 90s with the BHP steelworks gradually winding down its operations, and the region diversifying and looking towards new opportunities in sustainable energy, the creative industries, and health and services.

The University, with its partners from industry, business, government and the community, played a major role in the region's transition from 'steel city' to a global innovation hub. Innovation in new areas of research at the University began to flourish.

At a glance:
  • Over 18,000 students were enrolled at the University by the end of the 1990s
  • First students graduate from the Indigenous Australian Medical Students Program in 1990
  • The Faculty of Law was created in 1992 with the University of Newcastle Legal Centre opening a few years later in 1994, providing free legal advice and assistance to members of the Hunter community
  • First students graduate from the newly formed Ourimbah campus at a ceremony at Callaghan at a ceremony in 1993
  • In 1993, the Chancellery building was officially opened
  • The University established a library in NESCA House, now known as University House, in 1995
  • The Forum Sports and Aquatic Centre opened in 1997
  • Established in 1998, the Hunter Medical Research Institute (HMRI) is a partnership between the University, Hunter New England Health and the community, delivering excellence in medical research and education.
Historian John Turner with school children [n.d.]
A group of people planting seeds
University of Newcastle graduates, from Singapore sitting in a line
Deputy Chancellor Trevor Waring and others, at the Presentation of the Bishop's Library, Archives and Special Collections, Auchmuty Library
Bill Linklater, the Vice-Chancellor Roger Holmes and Bishop Michael Malone at the Presentation of the Bishop's Library

2000s

New Year's Eve 1999 was the party of the century, as people around the world celebrated the dawn of a new millennium. With the help of new technology, information and knowledge became more accessible than ever before during this decade.

At a glance:
  • By the end of 2005, student numbers had swelled to more than 23,000, including 3,500 international students
  • The year 2000 commenced with the establishment of GradSchool to deliver online postgraduate programs.
  • The University continued its expansion in the early years of the new millennium, with the Singapore campus established in 2002 and opening its doors in the Sydney CBD in 2009
  • In 2002, the Birabahn building, located on the traditional Aboriginal lands of the Pambalong Clan of the Awabakal Nation, was built on the Callaghan campus of the University
  • The Wollotuka Institute was officially formed in early 2009 with the merger of the School, Support Unit, Indigenous Employment and Indigenous Health.
A graduation ceremony
A graduation ceremony
A man plays a didgeridoo with a group of Aboriginal students
A group of people smiling
A trio in a university room with umbrellas

2010s

As technologies develop to enhance connectedness globally, the University embraced fast-paced change that enhanced the teacher and student experience.

At a glance:
  • In 2019 student enrolments grew to almost 38,000 including over 7,000 international students
  • The University of Newcastle was named number 1 in Australia by the 2014 QS 'Top 50 under 50' and was ranked 19 in the world
  • In 2015, the university also opened four new multi-level residences at its Callaghan campus for domestic and international students, boasting 336 self-catered apartments and almost 800 beds. This is the largest accommodation build to be undertaken by the University of Newcastle since the construction of Edwards Hall in 1972
  • In 2017 the University officially opened the NUspace facility in the heart of the Newcastle CBD. In 2019, the University celebrated 30 years on the Central Coast.
Four people in a jumping castle
An exterior view of NUSpace in Newcastle.
A large group of people sit outside a new University building
A man shakes hands with a woman in ceremonial robes
A small group of students throw their graduation hats into the air

2020s

The early 2020s were marked by the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, with border closures and a pivot to online learning causing disruptions across the sector. The challenges brought about during this time prompted a focus on innovation and improving equity in higher education.

At a glance:
  • The first building in the Honeysuckle precinct, Q Building, opened its doors in July 2021
  • The University of Newcastle Central Coast Clinical School and Central Coast Research Institute welcomed its first intake of students in July 2021
  • As part of NAIDOC celebrations in 2022, the University of Newcastle officially launched its Stretch Reconciliation Action Plan - culminating years of planning, research, discussion, and consultation
  • On the eve of 26 January 2022, the University of Newcastle, in partnership with Awabakal Ltd and with support from the City of Newcastle, proudly hosted the inaugural Ngarrama “To sit, listen and know” event at King Edward Park
  • The Institute for Regional Futures, one of the University’s three flagship research institutes, was officially launched in 2022
  • From 2023, our Career-Ready Placement program was launched. The program sees every undergraduate student undertake a placement as part of their degree
  • Commences In 2023 we turned the first sod on the University of Newcastle’s new $63.8 M Central Coast Campus at 305 Mann Street in Gosford CBD.
Exterior view of Q Building, Newcastle
A large group of people sitting in a grassy reserve
Hunter the mascot with a group of children
Three people walk along a path through an Open Day archway
A group of students wearing graduation robes celebrate together
60 Years 60 Stories

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