Flinders University hits a high note with its new City Campus at Festival Plaza

First published by Flinders University

Flinders University has opened the doors to its new City Campus, bringing Flinders’ special brand of student-centred learning to a landmark location at Festival Plaza in the heart of North Terrace.

Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling and South Australian Premier Peter Malinauskas revealed Adelaide’s most modern and innovative vertical campus in a watershed moment for Flinders University and the state’s higher education sector.

Embodying a personalised approach towards education, Flinders City Campus offers more than 100 undergraduate, postgraduate and honours programs, delivered in a contemporary, student-focused environment that provides an exceptional and immersive learning experience.

Located at the heart of Adelaide’s premier thoroughfare, Flinders City Campus strategically positions students amid the pulse of Adelaide’s arts, business, sports, health, technology, law, and government precincts, propelling students into the epicentre of their future careers.

Flinders City Campus in Festival Plaza is located right next to the Central Railway Station, providing easy access to students from across suburban Adelaide, while also conveniently connecting the campus to Flinders University’s other main locations at Tonsley and Bedford Park.

Located across eight floors of Festival Tower, Flinders City Campus spans 11,000 m², accessed via a bespoke entrance and spacious public area, leading towards ultra-modern learning spaces. The contemporary design includes flexible teaching and study spaces, and collaborative study hubs, all furnished with the most advanced learning technologies, but designed to focus on the importance of personal interactions and face-to-face learning.

The City Campus is a precursor to further milestones, with Flinders University set to launch its $280 million Health and Medical Research Building at Bedford Park mid-year, followed by a $18 million industrial-scale advanced manufacturing accelerator, Factory of the Future, at its Tonsley campus.

Flinders City Campus extends the University’s substantial physical footprint across South Australia and the Northern Territory, with teaching locations at Bedford Park, Tonsley, Barossa, Berri, Mount Gambier, Murray Bridge, Renmark, Victor Harbor, Alice Springs, Darwin, Katherine, Nhulunbuy and Tennant Creek.

Flinders University Vice-Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling says Flinders is proud to unveil our new City Campus, bringing a new era of contemporary education to the heart of the city, offering more choices and opportunities for students.

“A beacon for world-class education and a magnet for top-tier researchers, Flinders University has always offered unparalleled student support and an exceptional learning experience. Our new City Campus combines the benefits of a Flinders University education with the convenience of a city centre location, making us more accessible than ever before.”

“Flinders is Australia’s fastest growing research university, delivering 140% growth over five years, alongside high impact research outcomes that contribute towards the South Australian economy.”

Premier Peter Malinauskas says this new campus at Festival Plaza reflects exactly what we want to see from our higher education sector – a high quality institution, offering students an exceptional learning experience, right in the beating heart of our city.

“The strategic location of the new campus, and its co-design with industry means it will be well placed to connect graduates to careers, and improve research outcomes, helping lift our state’s overall economic productivity.”

“A competitive university sector is vital, and we recognise Flinders University is an integral part of delivering the strongest possible outcome for our state.”

Deputy Premier Dr Susan Close says this is a significant day for Flinders and for our state.

“The new campus is not just a physical expansion, it’s about choice, opportunity, and new pathways. These are crucial in building our higher education sector and with that, a thriving workforce for the future.”

First year Bachelor of Mechanical Engineering student, Santiago Vargas says he is really excited by the new city campus.

“It’s amazing. The facilities provide lots of opportunities to do a huge variety of student activities and is brilliant for talking and socialising, studying and more. There’s heaps of student support and the team is very welcoming, easy to find and approachable.”

Third year Bachelor of Law and Legal Practice student, Khevalin Parekh says the digital set up at the new city campus is incredible, making it easier than ever to study and collaborate.

“It’s great for law students, close to the courts, law firms in the CBD, State Library, and travel facilities. It means being able to work at a law firm in the city, and then go to the city campus after to finish off classes, study, homework or just have a safe space in the city to relax with my classmates.”

“The same is true for students in business, and government, the arts and health – we’re in a key precinct and sharing a building with the firms that are our pathways for future jobs.”

Gala Opening

Festival Plaza had a Flinders makeover with some 300 guests gathering in a glass pavilion to officially launch the new building, with the Governor Her Excellency the Honourable Frances Adamson AC, Premier the Honourable Peter Malinauskas MP and Vice Chancellor Professor Colin Stirling speaking, while Kaurna educator Jack Kanya Buckskin performed a cleansing ceremony.

Spot the dog led guests along the Flinders golden carpet to the foyer of the new building for self guided tours of the facility before returning to the pavilion for music and refreshments.