Ethan Walker
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a young university making a significant impact. It is ranked in the top 10 Catholic universities and is a leader in employability, with 95% of its graduates employed. ACU has seven campuses across Australia, a campus in Rome, Italy, and an online campus. The university is inclusive and supportive of everyone, regardless of their faith, tradition, or circumstance. ACU offers a unique education grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of human dignity, and advancement of the common good. Students are challenged to look beyond the classroom and develop strong professional ethics. They are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships, or volunteering opportunities. High-impact research is at the core of the institution, with social, cultural, and economic benefits.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ranking | Ranked in the top 10 Catholic universities |
| Employability | 95% of graduates are employed |
| Campuses | 7 campuses in Australia, 1 in Rome, Italy, and an online campus |
| Student engagement | Students rated the university 5 stars for learner engagement |
| Student body | Australian Catholic University National Students' Association (ACUNSA) |
| Religious affiliation | Roman Catholic university with a Catholic core curriculum |
| Founding | Opened on 1 January 1991 |
| Funding | Publicly funded |
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What You'll Learn
Student life and extracurricular activities
Student life at the Australian Catholic University (ACU) is vibrant and engaging, with a range of extracurricular activities and support services that enhance the overall student experience. The university prioritises the welfare and success of its students, fostering a sense of community and providing opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Extracurricular Activities
ACU offers a wide range of extracurricular activities that enrich the student experience and contribute to the holistic development of its students. These activities include:
- Religious extracurricular activities: As a Roman Catholic university, ACU offers religious extracurricular activities outside of academic studies. Each of its Australian campuses (excluding Rome) has a campus ministry and a chapel, providing spiritual guidance and faith-based activities for students.
- Sporting events and clubs: ACU hosts an annual national sporting event, the ACU Games, and its students also compete in Australia's largest annual multisport event, the Australian University Games. The university has built a campus in partnership with the Blacktown City Council to support Sports Science studies, offering students access to world-class sporting facilities, courses, and research projects.
- Clubs and societies: ACU has various clubs and societies that cater to different interests and hobbies.
- Cultural events: Students can participate in cultural events and activities, exposing them to diverse experiences and perspectives.
Student Support Services
In addition to extracurricular activities, ACU provides comprehensive support services to meet the academic and personal needs of its students. These services include:
- Counselling services: ACU offers counselling services to support the mental health and well-being of its students.
- Chaplaincy services: The university's chaplaincy services, also known as Campus Ministry, provide spiritual guidance and faith-based activities, helping Christian students reconnect with their faith.
- Student accommodation: ACU's on-campus residences create a supportive and safe learning environment, fostering a sense of community among students.
- Study abroad opportunities: With partnership agreements with over 200 institutions worldwide, ACU provides students with opportunities to study abroad and gain global experience.
- Work placements, internships, and volunteering: All ACU courses offer work placements, internships, or volunteering opportunities, enabling students to gain practical experience and contribute to their communities.
Student Representation
ACU values student representation and advocacy. Each campus has a student representative council, and there is a national student body, the Australian Catholic University National Students' Association (ACUNSA), which advocates on behalf of students both individually and collectively.
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Employability and graduate outcomes
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a young university that is making a significant impact. It is ranked among the top 10 Catholic universities and is a leader in employability, with 95% of its graduates employed. ACU has seven campuses across Australia, located in Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney (Blacktown, North Sydney, Strathfield). The university also has a Leadership Centre in Adelaide and Townsville and an international campus in Rome, Italy.
ACU's education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in pursuit of knowledge, the promotion of human dignity, and the advancement of the common good. The university aims to transform lives and communities by challenging students to look beyond the classroom and solve real-world problems. Students are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter, cultivating strong professional ethics.
ACU offers a range of opportunities for students to gain practical experience and enhance their employability. All ACU courses offer work placements, internships, or volunteering opportunities. The university is committed to preparing students for life after university, and this commitment is highly regarded by students. In the Good Universities Guide 2024, students rated the university five stars for learner engagement, skills development, and starting salary.
The university also fosters academic collaboration and engages with local and international partners to enable the exchange of knowledge and skills. ACU builds healthy social partnerships and assists communities in actively shaping initiatives that directly impact them.
With its focus on practical experience, collaboration, and community engagement, ACU ensures that its graduates are well-prepared for the job market and have the skills and ethics to succeed in their chosen careers. The university's high graduate employment rate reflects its success in preparing students for employability and positive graduate outcomes.
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Campuses and locations
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) has seven campuses across Australia and one in Rome, Italy. The Australian campuses are located in Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney (Blacktown, North Sydney, and Strathfield). ACU also has Leadership Centres in Adelaide and Townsville.
The Aquinas Campus in Ballarat is nestled between the city centre and Lake Wendouree, with many onsite facilities and easy access to the city's cafes, restaurants, and outdoor experiences. The Blacktown Campus is in the cultural and geographical heart of Western Sydney, with excellent transportation connections. Brisbane has a relaxed atmosphere and mild winters, making it easy to enjoy campus life. The Signadou Campus in Canberra is within easy reach of the city's cafes, walking tracks, and galleries. Melbourne's St Patrick's Campus is close to the city centre, Fitzroy's eclectic shops, and Carlton Gardens. North Sydney is a short train ride from the city centre, and the Mount Saint Mary Campus in Strathfield is well connected to the Blue Mountains, Central Coast, and Sydney's famous beaches, parks, and cafes.
The Rome Centre, a collaboration with the Catholic University of America, opened in 2015. The university also has an online campus, ACU Online.
Each ACU campus has a student representative council, and there is a national student body called the Australian Catholic University National Students' Association (ACUNSA), which advocates on behalf of students. The university also hosts an annual national sporting event, the ACU Games, and students compete in Australia's largest annual multisport event, the Australian University Games.
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Academic rankings
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a young university that is making a significant impact. It is ranked among the top 10 Catholic universities and is a leader in employability, with 95% of its graduates employed. The university has seven campuses across Australia, located in Ballarat, Brisbane, Canberra, Melbourne, and Sydney (Blacktown, North Sydney, and Strathfield). ACU also has a Leadership Centre in Adelaide and Townsville and an international campus in Rome, Italy, which was opened in 2015 in collaboration with the Catholic University of America.
ACU is a publicly funded university with a religious affiliation to Roman Catholicism. While it identifies as a Catholic university, ACU maintains that it is inclusive and supportive of everyone, regardless of their faith, tradition, or circumstance. The university offers a Catholic core curriculum and religious extracurricular activities, including chapels across its campuses, each with a designated chaplain and/or pastoral associate.
ACU's academic rankings reflect its commitment to high-impact research with social, cultural, and economic benefits. The university fosters academic collaboration and engages with local and international partners to enable the exchange of knowledge and skills. In the latest Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) evaluation, ACU ranked first or equal first in ten fields of research in Australia. Additionally, ACU was ranked first in Australia and second globally for promoting healthy living and well-being through its research and teaching (THE 2024 Impact Rankings).
ACU's academic programs focus on preparing students for life after university. Students highly regard this aspect, as evidenced by their five-star ratings for learner engagement, skills development, and starting salary (Good Universities Guide 2024). All ACU courses offer work placements, internships, or volunteering opportunities, encouraging students to look beyond the classroom and solve real-world problems.
Despite ACU's strong academic rankings and positive student feedback, the university has faced some controversies. In 2023, the university faced criticism for removing rainbow flags displayed across campuses and for its refusal to allow the Gay and Lesbian Teachers and Students Association to establish a presence on campus. These actions were seen as inconsistent with ACU's mission to pursue knowledge, uphold human dignity, and promote the common good. Additionally, ACU's decision to cut 113 full-time jobs, primarily at the Melbourne campus, and the removal of the newly appointed Dean of the Thomas More Law School due to her pro-choice views, sparked negative responses from academics and raised questions about the university's reputation and standing.
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Social impact and inclusivity
The Australian Catholic University (ACU) is a young university making a significant impact. Ranked in the top 10 Catholic universities, ACU is also a leader in employability, with 95% of its graduates employed. The university has seven campuses across Australia, a campus in Rome, Italy, and an online campus.
ACU is committed to preparing students for life after university, with a focus on learner engagement, skills development, and starting salary. The university offers a range of pathway programs and support services to ensure a smooth transition to university life. ACU is also dedicated to fostering thriving, supportive, and inclusive campus communities.
ACU's education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in pursuit of knowledge, the promotion of human dignity, and the advancement of the common good. The university aims to transform lives and communities by challenging students to look beyond the classroom and solve real-world problems. Students are invited to stand up for people in need and causes that matter, cultivating strong professional ethics.
ACU's research activities have social, cultural, and economic benefits, developing innovative solutions to issues impacting human dignity and the common good. The university engages in academic collaboration and partnerships to enable the exchange of knowledge and skills, fostering healthy social partnerships with communities.
While ACU identifies as a Roman Catholic university with a Catholic core curriculum and religious extracurricular activities, it is inclusive and supportive of everyone, regardless of their faith, tradition, or circumstance. Religious affiliation is not a criterion for admission, and the university has a diverse range of students and staff. However, the university has faced some controversies, including a decision to remove rainbow flags displayed across campuses and the removal of a newly appointed dean due to her pro-choice views.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian Catholic University is a publicly funded university in Australia with seven campuses across the country, a campus in Rome, Italy, and an online campus. It was opened on 1 January 1991 following the amalgamation of four Catholic tertiary institutions in eastern Australia.
An ACU education is grounded in the Catholic understanding of faith and reason working together in the pursuit of knowledge, promotion of human dignity, and advancement of the common good.
ACU is a leader in employability, with 95% of its graduates employed.
ACU has a national student body called the Australian Catholic University National Students' Association (ACUNSA), which advocates on behalf of students. The university also hosts an annual national sporting event, the ACU Games.
Students rate the university highly for its learner engagement, skills development, and starting salary.
