University of Southern Queensland

"USQ" redirects here. For other uses, see USQ (disambiguation).
University of Southern Queensland
Coat of arms[1]
Former names
List
    • Queensland Institute of Technology (Darling Downs)[2]
      (1967–1971)
    • Darling Downs Institute of Advanced Education[2]
      (1971–1989)
    • University College of Southern Queensland[2]
      (1990–1991)
Motto
Latin: Per Studia Mens Nova[1]
Motto in English
"Through study the mind is renewed"[1]
TypePublic research university
Established
  • 1967 (as institute of technology)[2]
  • 1992 (as university)[2]
AccreditationTEQSA[3]
Academic affiliation
BudgetA$388.91 million (2023)
ChancellorJohn Dornbusch[4]
Vice-ChancellorKaren Nelson (acting)[5]
Academic staff
800 (2023)[6]
Administrative staff
995 (2023)[6]
Total staff
1,795 (2023)[6]
Students21,295 (2023)[6]
Undergraduates14,460 (2023)[6]
Postgraduates3,916 coursework (2023)
915 research (2023)[6]
Other students
70 cross-institution (2023)
1,934 non-award (2023)[6]
Location
Toowoomba, Ipswich, and Springfield
,
Queensland
,
Australia[7]
CampusUrban and regional with multiple sites[7]
ColoursGold Plum[8]
Sporting affiliations
Websiteunisq.edu.au

The University of Southern Queensland is a public research university based in Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia, the sixth largest city in the Australian state of Queensland[9] Founded in 1967 after a successful campaign by the local Darling Downs community, the university is a founding member of the Regional Universities Network.

The main Toowoomba campus occupies a large area of south-western Toowoomba in the suburb of Darling Heights. Campuses in Ipswich and Springfield also exist, with the university-owned Queensland College of Wine Tourism being home to a study hub in Stanthorpe[10] The university also owns and operates the Mount Kent Observatory, which is the only professional astronomical research observatory in Queensland. The Ravensbourne Field Studies Centre and a Brisbane City industry hub are also operated by the university.[11] The university has also partnered with the Canterbury Institute of Technology to offer the Sydney Education Centre.

Through twelve schools, the university offers a variety of associate, bachelor, master, doctoral, and higher doctorate degrees[12] The university operates three research institutes and nine research centres which focus on a wide range of business, agricultural, scientific, environmental, and technological issues. [13] Recent notable research includes the discovery of Gliese 12 b, an Earth-like planet 40 light years away making it the closest located to date. [14]

The University of Southern Queensland consistently ranks among the top 400 universities worldwide. In the 2025 US News Best Global Universities rankings, it is positioned at 304th.[15] In the 2025 QS World University Rankings, the University of Southern Queensland holds the 396th spot.[16] In the 2023 Times Higher Education (THE) World University Rankings, it is placed within the 301-350 range.[17]

  1. ^ a b c "Our brand". University of Southern Queensland. Toowoomba, Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Historical collections". University of Southern Queensland. Toowoomba, Queensland. Archived from the original on 3 November 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  3. ^ "University of Southern Queensland". Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency. Melbourne, Victoria. Archived from the original on 25 April 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  4. ^ "Chancellor". University of Southern Queensland. Toowoomba, Queensland. Archived from the original on 28 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  5. ^ "Vice-Chancellor". University of Southern Queensland. Toowoomba, Queensland. Archived from the original on 28 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e f g "Annual Report 2023". University of Southern Queensland. Toowoomba, Queensland. 8 April 2024. Archived from the original on 18 May 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  7. ^ a b "Locations". University of Southern Queensland. Toowoomba, Queensland. Archived from the original on 19 October 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  8. ^ "Unveiling our new brand UniSQ". University of Southern Queensland. Toowoomba, Queensland. 30 June 2022. Archived from the original on 23 August 2024. Retrieved 10 November 2024.
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference OECD was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference Australia's Universities was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  11. ^ "Revitalised Ravensbourne: Field studies centre to strengthen teaching and research". University of Southern Queensland. 29 October 2024. Retrieved 29 October 2024.
  12. ^ "UQ Resource Centre". Wilson Architects. Archived from the original on 19 February 2017. Retrieved 1 February 2017.
  13. ^ "Institutes and centres". University of Southern Queensland. 27 April 2024. Retrieved 27 April 2024.
  14. ^ Thompson, Toni (27 May 2024). "University of Southern Queensland PHD student discovers Earth-like planet". River 94.9. Retrieved 28 October 2024.
  15. ^ "University of Southern Queensland". USnews.
  16. ^ "UniSQ climbs to 396th in global university rankings". unisq.edu.au. 5 June 2024. Retrieved 27 June 2024.
  17. ^ "University of Southern Queensland accelerates up world rankings". unisq.edu.au. 28 June 2023. Retrieved 27 June 2024.