Griffith University

Celebrating 50 Years of Breaking the Mold

In 2025, Griffith University marks its 50th anniversary—and what a half-century it's been. When Griffith opened its doors on March 5, 1975, with just 451 students across four schools, it did something radical: it introduced Australia's very first degrees in Environmental Science and Asian Studies. At a time when universities were rigid, traditional institutions, Griffith dared to be different.

Named after Sir Samuel Walker Griffith—Queensland's twice Premier and the first Chief Justice of Australia's High Court (and principal author of the Australian Constitution)—the university inherited his legacy of progressive thinking and innovation. That spirit continues today with over 50,000 students from 130+ countries, five physical campuses spanning three cities, 200+ degree programs, and a ranking in the top 2% of universities worldwide.

The Brisbane Connection: Four Distinct Campuses, One University

Griffith's Brisbane presence is massive and multifaceted, with four campuses each offering something unique:

Nathan Campus - The Foundation

This is where it all began. Nestled on the edge of Toohey Forest—a stunning 260-hectare bushland reserve—Nathan Campus is Griffith's largest Brisbane campus with over 13,000 students. Just 10 kilometers from Brisbane's CBD, Nathan offers degrees in business, government, engineering, IT, environment, humanities, languages, law, science, and aviation.

The campus design is legendary. Architect Roger Kirk Johnson created buildings that literally follow the slope of the land, using natural cooling techniques and integrating seamlessly with the forest environment. The library, designed by Robin Gibson, won Australia's first national award for library design. Walking paths connect clusters of buildings, sports facilities, bushland reserves, and recreational areas—you're simultaneously at a world-class university and in nature.

Key facilities include:

• Sir Samuel Griffith Centre - Australia's first teaching/research building powered by solar and hydrogen energy, with a 6-star Green Star rating
• N79 Engineering Building - Features Flight Procedures Lab with 38 flight simulation stations, VR headsets, and next-gen gaming computers running X-Plane 11
• Big Data Visualization Lab, VR labs, AR labs, robotics facilities
• Nathan Fitness Centre - Complete workout equipment, personal training, group classes
• On-campus accommodation at Bellenden Ker College and KGBC apartments
• Food outlets, retail shops, cafés throughout campus

Transport is simple: regular buses connect to Brisbane CBD and other suburbs, intercampus shuttles run between Griffith campuses, and ample parking exists for cars and bikes.

Mount Gravatt Campus - Social Sciences Hub

Adjacent to Nathan (literally next door), Mount Gravatt specializes in criminology, criminal justice, psychology, education, and social sciences. With 4,400 students, it's smaller and more intimate while still offering world-class facilities.

The campus sits on the edge of Toohey Forest with panoramic Brisbane city views. Standout facilities include:

• Griffith University Aquatic and Fitness Centre - Heated 25m pool, fully equipped gym, group fitness classes
• 16-court Tennis Centre
• Training ovals, basketball courts, netball courts
• On-campus accommodation at Mount Gravatt College
• Café M28 - Fully licensed café for coffee and meals

Mount Gravatt is home to crucial social research including education innovation and suicide prevention. It's perfect for students passionate about making societal impact.

South Bank Campus - The Creative Hub

Located in Brisbane's premier cultural precinct at 226 Grey Street, South Bank Campus is Griffith's artistic soul. With 3,400 students, this campus houses:

• Queensland College of Art (QCA) - Australia's oldest continuously operating art training institution (established 1881), featuring galleries, exhibition spaces, multimedia art facilities, and some of Australia's most modern studios
• Queensland Conservatorium - 600-seat theatre, 200-seat recital hall, 150-seat orchestral hall for music performance and education
• Griffith Film School - Professional cinema and production facilities
• Griffith University Art Museum
• Ship Inn - Historic campus pub and social hub

South Bank is literally surrounded by Brisbane's cultural attractions: South Bank Parklands, Queensland Art Gallery & Gallery of Modern Art (GOMA), Queensland Museum, Queensland Performing Arts Centre (QPAC), and the Brisbane River. You're studying art in the heart of Queensland's creative epicenter.

Logan Campus - Community-Focused Education

Opened in 1998 in Meadowbrook (south of Brisbane), Logan Campus was specifically designed to serve the Logan City community. It's known for flexible learning options, strong community connections, and hosting sporting/cultural events throughout the year. The campus offers education, nursing, and various pathway programs in a close-knit, supportive environment.

Coming 2027: Treasury Building CBD Campus

In September 2024, Griffith announced the purchase of Brisbane's historic Treasury Building, converting it into a stunning sixth campus opening in 2027. This iconic heritage building in the CBD will house Business, IT, and Law schools, plus serve as a postgraduate and executive education center. Eventually, Griffith English Language Institute (GELI) and Griffith College will also relocate there. This makes Griffith the only university with campuses spanning Brisbane, Logan, AND the Gold Coast.

Rankings That Actually Mean Something

Griffith isn't just any university—it's a globally recognized research powerhouse:

• Top 2% worldwide (QS World University Rankings 2024: #255 globally)
• Times Higher Education 2024: #251-300 band globally, praised for research quality and innovation
• Top 200 globally for Social Sciences (CWTS Leiden Rankings)
• Top 100 worldwide for Law, Education, Environmental Sciences, Agriculture & Forestry, Communication, Sociology, Psychology, Politics
• #8 in Australia for research output (Nature Publishing Index Asia-Pacific)
• 96% graduate employment rate within four months of graduation

More importantly, Griffith's research is rated world standard or above in 50+ disciplines according to Australia's Excellence in Research evaluation. This means when you study here, you're learning from researchers making genuine global impact.

Programs Across Every Interest

With 200+ degrees spanning undergraduate through PhD, Griffith covers:

Arts, Education & Law: Criminology, law, education (primary/secondary teaching), languages, social work, human services, international relations, government

Business: Business, commerce, accounting, finance, marketing, MBA (ranked #6 in Australia, top tier globally), hospitality management, event management, sport management

Health: Medicine, dentistry, nursing, midwifery, paramedicine, physiotherapy, nutrition, exercise science, pharmacy, public health, psychology

Science: Environmental science, marine biology, chemistry, wildlife biology, forensics, data science, mathematics

Engineering, IT & Aviation: Civil, mechanical, electrical, software, environmental engineering; cybersecurity, IT, computer science; aviation (commercial pilot, aviation management)

Music & Performing Arts: Music performance, composition, music technology, theatre

Visual & Creative Arts: Fine art, design (visual communication, industrial, interactive), digital media, photography, film production

Architecture & Planning: Architecture, urban planning, construction management

The breadth is staggering—whether you're drawn to STEM, arts, health, business, or anything between, Griffith has world-class options.

Teaching Excellence: Awards Speak Volumes

Since 2012, Griffith has won more Australian Awards for University Teaching than any other university. This includes Australian University Teacher of the Year awards, Teaching Excellence awards, and Awards for Programs that Enhance Learning.

Griffith is home to four Australian University Teachers of the Year—the highest teaching honor in Australian higher education. This isn't accidental; it reflects genuine institutional commitment to innovative, student-centered teaching approaches.

Research That Changes Lives

Griffith's 1,700+ researchers work across 38+ centers and institutes investigating challenges that matter:

• Trialing cutting-edge Strep A vaccine protecting against multiple deadly strains
• Climate change adaptation and water science solutions
• Criminology and crime prevention strategies
• Advanced drug discovery at Griffith Institute for Drug Discovery
• Quantum dynamics and nanotechnology
• Educational innovation through Griffith Institute for Educational Research

Students benefit directly—undergraduate research opportunities, cutting-edge facilities, professors who are global leaders in their fields, and connection to real-world problems from day one.

Student Life: 120+ Clubs, Residential Colleges, and Everything Between

Griffith offers the complete university experience:

Residential Colleges: Four colleges across campuses (Bellenden Ker and KGBC at Nathan, Mt Gravatt College, Griffith University Village at Gold Coast) compete in the sporting Inter-College Cup, with the legendary Phar Cup rugby league matches.

Clubs & Societies: 120+ options including Pride Society, Gamers Club, Racing Team, Acapella Society, Government & International Relations Society, cultural societies, academic groups, sport teams, special interest clubs

Sports & Fitness: Multiple gyms, pools, sports fields, tennis courts, basketball courts—plus intramural leagues and competitions

Support Services: Counseling, career guidance, academic advising, disability support, international student services, health services, library support

Food & Social: Multiple cafés, restaurants, bars (including the historic Ship Inn at South Bank), retail shops, and easy access to Brisbane's incredible food scene

Diversity & Inclusion: Dedicated support for LGBTIQ+ students, First Nations programs, international student communities, women in STEM initiatives, and comprehensive equity services

200,000 Alumni Changing the World

Griffith graduates include:

• Dami Im - Australia's pop icon and Eurovision representative
• Katie Noonan - Five-time ARIA award winner
• Professor Alan Cowman - Leading malaria research scientist
• Delvene Cockatoo-Collins - Renowned First Peoples artist
• Politicians, journalists, business leaders, artists, scientists, educators across 130 countries

You're joining a global network that opens doors worldwide.

Your Brisbane Adventure

Brisbane offers something special: sunshine (283+ days annually), river lifestyle, proximity to beaches (Gold Coast an hour away), cultural attractions, booming job market, lower costs than Sydney/Melbourne, and that famous Queensland friendliness. You can surf before class, explore rainforests on weekends, experience world-class arts and music, and build a career in Australia's fastest-growing city.