The University of Queensland (UQ) is one of Australia’s leading research and teaching institutions. We strive for excellence through the creation, preservation, transfer and application of knowledge. For more than a century, we have educated and worked with outstanding people to deliver knowledge leadership for a better world.

World rankings

UQ ranks among the world’s top universities, as measured by several key independent rankings, including the U.S. News Best Global Universities Rankings 2023 (36), the Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities 2023 (37), CWTS Leiden Ranking 2023 (35), QS World University Rankings 2024 (43), Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023 (51), and Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024 (70).

213 Fellows of Australia’s 5 learned academies – AAS, AAHMS, ASSA, ATSE, and AAH – are UQ staff (including honorary and adjunct appointments) and emeritus professors.

UQ is one of only 4 Australian members of the global Universitas 21, a founding member of the Group of Eight (Go8) universities, and a member of Universities Australia.

Teaching and learning excellence

Skilled and motivated teachers are integral to providing positive teaching and learning outcomes for students.

UQ has a strong focus on teaching excellence, having won more Australian Awards for University Teaching (AAUT) than any other university in the country and attracting the majority of Queensland's highest academic achievers, as well as top interstate and overseas students.

We are committed to excellence in learning experiences and outcomes for our students.

edX

In late 2013, UQ joined edX – the world’s leading consortium of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs), jointly founded in 2012 by Harvard University and Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT), and acquired by 2U in late 2021. UQ is a charter member, with a seat on the edX University Advisory Board. The UQx project in the Institute for Teaching and Learning Innovation works with the University’s academic staff to create and present a range of MOOCs to further UQ’s Student Strategy goals for on-campus teaching.

UQx currently has 65 MOOCs and 12 programs running on edX, including 3 MicroMasters, 6 Professional Certificates, 2 XSeries and one online master's degree program, with more under development. UQx MOOCs cover subjects drawn from many disciplines, along with meta-skills courses in employability and teamwork. Since releasing its first course in March 2014, UQx has registered more than 5 million participants representing every country.

Student experience

Students can enrich their experience and ‘get the edge’ by engaging in a range of development opportunities where they can learn to identify the capabilities and attributes they've developed through these experiences, and learn to talk about their potential in a way that employers understand. This will empower them to become leaders in their chosen field and positively impact society and the communities in which they live. 

In addition to flexible program choices, students can get involved in a range of activities during their studies, including global experiences, participating in conferences and research opportunities, accessing more than 200 clubs and societies, and making use of a wide range of sporting and cultural facilities.

In 2023, the University had more than 55,000 students including around 21,500 international students from 141 countries. UQ’s 20,000 postgraduate students include a large PhD cohort, and we recently celebrated our 17,700th PhD graduation.

UQ is continually discovering and practising innovative approaches to fostering student retention and employability. We work towards achieving our strategic objectives by partnering with students to develop new initiatives to enhance the student experience.

Notable alumni

The University’s outstanding 332,000+ alumni include a Nobel laureate, an Academy Award winner, and leaders in government, law, science, public service and the arts. The University celebrates its alumni as its greatest assets. Their achievements reflect well on the University and, in return, we work hard to strengthen our reputation.

Research focus

The UQ Graduate School offers significant support to higher degree by research (HDR) students through a broad range of scholarships and research travel awards, dedicated office spaces, skills training, and professional development opportunities. We introduced the Career Development Framework – another first nationally – designed to accelerate HDR students’ career development and enhance their employability. Evidence indicates that the University’s research excels in both quality and impact.

 

At a glance
 
Founded

10 December 1909 (Signing of the University Act)

16 April 1910 (Gazettal of the first Senate, and officially celebrated foundation date)

14 March 1911 (Commencement of classes)

Motto

Scientia ac Labore, Latin for 'by means of knowledge and hard work'

Emblem/Coat of Arms
UQ Coat of Arms

Cross Patee azure surmounted by an open book proper

Staff

7,504 full-time equivalent

Students

Undergraduate and non-award – 34,338 (27,795 full-time equivalent)
Postgraduate – 20,957 (14,779 full-time equivalent)
Total number of students in 2023 – 55,424

Graduate job rate

81.0% (average full-time rate for bachelor degree); national average 78.5% (2022 QILT Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Graduates

More than 332,000 since 1911

Real Estate

1,607 hectares

Library collection

2.21 million book titles (electronic and print)

178,000 journals (electronic and print)

An institutional repository, UQ eSpace, housing more than 485,500 items authored or co-authored by UQ-affiliated researchers

Extensive cultural and historical collections