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Federation University Australia

Coordinates: 37°34′34″S 143°50′46″E / 37.5761°S 143.846°E / -37.5761; 143.846
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Federation University Australia
Coat of arms[1]
Former name
List
MottoDare to be Different[1]
TypePublic research university
Established
  • 1870 (antecedent)[2]
  • 1994 (as university)[2]
AccreditationTEQSA[3]
Academic affiliations
BudgetA$376.85 million (2023)[4]
VisitorGovernor of Victoria[5]
ChancellorTerrence Moran[6]
Vice-ChancellorDuncan Bentley[7]
Total staff
1,798 (2023)[4]
Students18,481 (2023)[4]
Undergraduates9,325 (2023)[4]
Postgraduates2,146 coursework (2023)
283 research (2023)[4]
Other students
Location
Ballarat, Melbourne, Churchill and Horsham
,
Victoria
,
Australia[8]
CampusUrban and regional with multiple sites[8]
ColoursBlue
Sporting affiliations
Websitefederation.edu.au

Federation University Australia (FedUni) is a public university based in Victoria, Australia.[9] It is the modern descendant of the School of Mines Ballarat, established in 1870 as the fourth tertiary institution in Australia, which evolved to form the modern university as it is today.[10] Formerly known as the University of Ballarat, it changed its name to Federation University in 2014 as it became a multi-campus institution with a strong presence both in Ballarat and across the state.[11][12]

The university is a dual-sector institution that provides both higher and vocational education. It offers study programs in healthcare, education, computational science, engineering and various other fields including commerce, the arts and sciences. It also offers technical and further education (TAFE), a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) and other research programs.[13]

The university has a multi-campus presence in and around Ballarat, including the old School of Mines campus which is notable for its red brick buildings, and also has campuses in Berwick (Melbourne) and Horsham (Wimmera).[14] In 2013, the university merged with Monash University's former Gippsland campus in Churchill, an amalgamation that was followed by its renaming to Federation University.[11][12]

History

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The historic SMB Campus on Lydiard Street.

1870–2013

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SMB Campus on Lydiard Street South.
Main article: University of Ballarat

Tertiary education at Ballarat began in 1870, making it Australia's fourth oldest tertiary institution.[15]

2014–present

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On 6 September 2013, the Victorian Parliament passed legislation to establish Federation University Australia,[16] The name change officially began in 2014. The then Vice-Chancellor justified the name change as an attempt to broaden the reach of the university nationally and internationally, and in fairness to the campuses outside Ballarat.[17] The name was also the preferred name within the university, compared to 'State University of Victoria', 'Eureka University', 'Robert Menzies University' or 'Vida Goldstein University'.

Buildings and architecture

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The former Ballarat Gaol, a maximum security prison that operated from 1862 until 1965, was located on the site of the university's School of Mines (SMB) campus, at the southern end of Lydiard Street. The area is known for being a well preserved Victorian era street.[18] While the prison was mostly demolished in the 1960s, the old prison walls, gate and guard towers, as well as the residences of the governor and warden, still exist. One of the bedrooms was used by Bella Guerin, who in 1883 became the first woman to graduate from an Australian university.[19] The campus also includes the old School of Mines buildings.

Academia

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Undergraduate studies

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Students can undertake undergraduate degrees across a wide range of study areas, which are:

  • Humanities and social sciences
  • Engineering
  • Business
  • Science and mathematics
  • Education and early childhood
  • Nursing, midwifery and paramedicine
  • Psychology
  • Performing arts
  • Visual arts
  • Information technology
  • Occupational health and safety
  • Sport, outdoor and physical education
  • TAFE

Research

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SMB Campus building, formerly Old Ballarat Gaol.

Researchers – academics and post-graduate students – undertake work within various centres, as well as within the disciplines. The research priority areas of the university are information forensics and security, transformative and preventative health, dynamic landscapes, history and heritage, and improving policy and practice in VET. The research centres are:

  • Australian Retirement Research Institute (ARRI)
  • Centre for Biopsychosocial and eHealth Research and Innovation (CBeRI)
  • Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation (CeRDI)
  • Centre for Gippsland Studies (CGS)
  • Centre for Informatics and Applied Optimisation (CIAO)
  • Centre for Multimedia Computing, Communications, and Artificial Intelligence Research (MCCAIR)
  • Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Engineering Research Group (GHERG)
  • Researching Adult and Vocational Education (RAVE)
  • Water Research Network
  • Visiting Friends and Relatives Research

There are also research facilities at Ballarat Technology Park, the Gippsland Enterprise Centre and Nanya Station in rural NSW.

Rankings

[edit]
Heritage buildings and old Ballarat Gaol at the School of Mines and Industry. Lydiard Street, Ballarat CBD.[20]
University rankings
Global rankings
QS[21]-
THE[22]801–1000
ARWU[23]-
U.S. News & World Report[24]1238=
Australian rankings
QS[25]-
THE[26]35–37
ARWU[27]-
U.S. News & World Report[28]38
ERA[30]36[29]

In 2017, FedUni was ranked within the top 20% of Australian universities in humanities for teaching quality, learner engagement, learning resources, skills development, and student support.[31] Nationally, the university is ranked 31 in Australia (out of 40) and 1526 in the world.[32] Across the university, for postgraduate research the university is rated above the national average by former students with 78.8% satisfaction. For undergraduate studies, the university is rated above national average by former students with 83.3% satisfaction.[33]

Historically, the former University of Ballarat achieved a maximum five-star rating for teaching quality in the Good Universities Guide consecutively from 2010 to 2014. Federation University has been ranked four-stars for graduate placement by the Good Universities Guide, but is not ranked in international university guides.[34] This placed the university in the top tier of Australian regional universities.

Student demographics and engagement

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In 2017, 80% of undergraduate students study full-time and on campus, which is unique for a regional university, and 35% of students are international students.[35]

Facilities

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Campuses

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In addition to the following campuses, the university also had joint-degree programmes with international colleges, including PLK Vicwood KT Chong Sixth Form College in Hong Kong.

Ballarat

[edit]
SMB campus is set among the heritage buildings of Lydiard Street Sth including the former School of Mines and Industry (left), former Supreme Court and former Ballarat Gaol (rear)
  • Camp Street Campus – located in central Ballarat, this campus houses the Arts Academy. The campus consists of the Old General Post Office Building, the Old Courthouse, and several newer buildings which were completed in 2002.
  • SMB Campus – located in central Ballarat and incorporates the original School of Mines Ballarat and the Old Ballarat Gaol. The campus offers training from certificate level through to advanced diploma and degree-level study.

Western Victorian campuses

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  • Wimmera Campus – offers TAFE courses and a higher education course in nursing.

Mt Helen Campus

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Located in Mt Helen, 10 km south of Ballarat. The university's largest campus, it has three residences, Peter Lalor South Hall, Peter Lalor North Hall, and Bella Guerin Hall. Its programs include the Institute of Education, Arts and Community; Institute of Health and Wellbeing: Institute of Innovation, Science and Sustainability.

Gippsland Campus of Federation University Australia

Gippsland Campus

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The Gippsland Campus is located in the township of Churchill in the foothills of the Strzelecki Ranges. The campus is home to over 2,500 students and approximately 400 staff.[citation needed]

The campus was formerly Monash University, Gippsland Campus, but became part of Federation University Australia on 1 January 2014.

Berwick Campus

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The Berwick Campus is located 40 km (25 mi) south-east of the Melbourne city centre. It was transitioning itself from the Monash University, Berwick campus in 2017 and completed its transition in early 2018. The exact location of the building is 100 Clyde Road Berwick VIC 3806. The university has four buildings naming 901, 902, 903, and 930 as well as additional buildings for on-campus living. Nursing has the highest enrolment rate at the Berwick Campus, with a focus also on education courses, IT, and psychology.

Brisbane Campus

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The Brisbane Campus, situated in the centre of Brisbane city and offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in information technology, business and allied health.[36]

Technology park

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The university has a technology park with the mission to facilitate the development of technology-based companies or companies that benefit from the technological resources of the university. The following organisations operate in the park.

More than 1350 people are employed by tenants at the technology park and approximately half of those holding Federation University Australia qualifications. Recently IBM decided to expand its workforce with the construction of a new $10 million building on the park.[37]

Research institutes and centres

[edit]
  • Centre for eResearch and Digital Innovation
  • Health Innovation and Transformation Centre
  • Future Regions Research Centre
  • Centre for Smart Analytics
  • Centre for New Energy Transition Research
  • Collaborative Evaluation and Research Group
  • Geotechnical and Hydrogeological Engineering Research Group

Notable alumni

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See also

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Notes

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Photograph, University of Ballarat Coat of Arms, 1999". Victorian Collections. Melbourne, Victoria. Archived from the original on 24 July 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Our History" (PDF). Federation University Australia. Ballarat, Victoria. Archived (PDF) from the original on 3 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. ^ "Federation University Australia". Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. Melbourne, Victoria. Archived from the original on 10 April 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g "Annual Report 2023" (PDF). Federation University Australia. Ballarat, Victoria. 26 March 2024. Archived (PDF) from the original on 5 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Federation University Australia Act 2010" (PDF). Victorian Legislation. Melbourne, Victoria: State Government of Victoria. 15 October 2018. Archived (PDF) from the original on 15 November 2024. Retrieved 15 November 2024.
  6. ^ Maskell, Aaron (13 June 2024). "Council members". Federation University Australia. Ballarat, Victoria. Archived from the original on 15 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  7. ^ "Vice-Chancellor's Office". Federation University Australia. Ballarat, Victoria. Archived from the original on 22 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  8. ^ a b "Our campuses". Federation University Australia. Ballarat, Victoria. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 27 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  9. ^ "Federation University Australia Act 2010". Victorian Legislation. State Government of Victoria. 15 October 2018. Archived from the original on 21 April 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  10. ^ "Our history" (PDF). Federation University Australia. n.d. Archived (PDF) from the original on 10 March 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  11. ^ a b Tim Cowier (27 June 2013). "University of Ballarat to become Federation University Australia". The Courier. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  12. ^ a b "University of Ballarat becomes Federation University Australia". ABC News. Sydney, New South Wales: Australian Broadcasting Corporation. 6 September 2013. Archived from the original on 8 December 2023. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  13. ^ "Federation University Australia". Federation University Australia. Archived from the original on 17 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  14. ^ "Our campuses". Federation University Australia. 24 January 2024. Archived from the original on 1 May 2024. Retrieved 18 May 2024.
  15. ^ "University of Ballarat". University English Centers Australia. Archived from the original on 26 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  16. ^ "University of Ballarat becomes Federation University Australia". ABC News. 6 September 2013. Archived from the original on 7 April 2015. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  17. ^ "University of Ballarat's name change explained - ABC (None) - Australian Broadcasting Corporation". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Archived from the original on 27 November 2016. Retrieved 26 November 2016.
  18. ^ http://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/156830/download-report Archived 1 October 2018 at the Wayback Machine [bare URL PDF]
  19. ^ "State Library Victoria Bella Guerin: First female university graduate in Australia". 10 July 2013. Archived from the original on 1 October 2018. Retrieved 1 October 2018.
  20. ^ "Welcome to Federation University Australia". Archived from the original on 2 September 2007. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  21. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  22. ^ "World University Rankings 2024". Times Higher Education.
  23. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  24. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Rankings". U.S. News & World Report.
  25. ^ "QS World University Rankings 2025 - Australia". Quacquarelli Symonds Limited.
  26. ^ "World University Rankings 2024 - Australia". Times Higher Education.
  27. ^ "Academic Ranking of World Universities 2024 - Australia". Shanghai Ranking Consultancy.
  28. ^ "U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities in Australia". U.S. News & World Report.
  29. ^ "ERA Research Excellence Rankings Analysis". The Australian. 4 December 2015. Archived from the original on 4 August 2017. Retrieved 21 February 2017.
  30. ^ "Australian University Rankings". Australian Education Network.
  31. ^ "Federation University Australia Rankings | Good Universities Guide". Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  32. ^ "Australian University Rankings 2017". 8 October 2015. Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  33. ^ "404 Not found". Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018. {{cite web}}: Cite uses generic title (help)
  34. ^ "Federation University Australia". Hobsons Course Finder. Archived from the original on 20 June 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  35. ^ "Federation University Australia Rankings | Good Universities Guide". Archived from the original on 2 October 2018. Retrieved 2 October 2018.
  36. ^ https://federation.edu.au/about-us/our-campuses/brisbane Archived 27 October 2021 at the Wayback Machine Brisbane Campus
  37. ^ "Booming Ballarat aus". Archived from the original on 2 April 2009. Retrieved 11 November 2013.
  38. ^ "Australian Olympic Committee: Phil Bellingham". Archived from the original on 3 April 2014. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  39. ^ "Welcome to Federation University Australia". Archived from the original on 14 May 2013. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  40. ^ "R. W. Richards". Archived from the original on 18 March 2018. Retrieved 17 July 2015.
  41. ^ Federation University Australia (2018). "SUTTON, Henry". Federation University. Retrieved 31 August 2022.
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37°34′34″S 143°50′46″E / 37.5761°S 143.846°E / -37.5761; 143.846

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