From 1 January 2026, South Australia’s newest major university officially began operating as a single institution, bringing together the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia under the new name Adelaide University.
If you’re studying (or planning to study) in Adelaide from overseas, the key message is simple: your study pathway continues, but some systems, paperwork and branding have changed.
Why the merger happened
The merger was designed to create a larger, more globally competitive institution - one with greater combined scale in teaching, research, industry partnerships and international reach. Government and university announcements have framed it as a long-term investment in South Australia’s skills pipeline, research capability and economic impact.
How the university now operates
Adelaide University is now the active, operating institution as of 1 January 2026, with transition planning continuing in the background as services and systems consolidate.
For students, the most visible change is the move to new digital platforms and student-facing services. Enrolled students were given access to a new student portal (myAdelaide) and a new learning system (myLearning), with myLearning access commencing from Monday 5 January 2026 via the portal.
At the leadership level, the university has also confirmed a new Vice Chancellor and President, Professor Nicola Phillips, who commenced on 12 January 2026.
What to do if you’re a current Adelaide University student
If you were previously enrolled at either predecessor university, your priority is to stay on top of transition communications and make sure you can access the new systems.
Steps:
Log in to the new student portal and learning system (myAdelaide and myLearning) and check your timetable, enrolment and course access.
Watch for key admin updates and new forms (for things like leave of absence, reduced load, credit applications), which are being progressively published for Adelaide University processes.
If you’re an international student, Adelaide University has advised that international students who held a Confirmation of Enrolment (CoE) from either former institution would be issued a new CoE for Adelaide University (check your email, as it should have arrived in late 2025), while the overall duration of studies remains as expected (subject to academic progression).
If you can’t locate your updated CoE, use official student support channels to request help promptly (this matters for visa records and peace of mind).
What to do if you’re a prospective international student
If you’re applying from overseas, treat Adelaide University as the institution you’re applying to (rather than the two former universities).
Practical steps:
Apply using Adelaide University’s official study and admissions pages for your intended start date and check that your program details match what you expect.
Expect branding and program naming to look different from older guides or third-party articles. When in doubt, rely on Adelaide University’s own course pages and student enquiry channels.
If you receive an offer, follow the standard international student steps (acceptance, deposits, OSHC where required, and CoE issuance), noting that CoE processes are now aligned with Adelaide University.
For many international students, the merger is less about changing your goals and more about making sure you’re reading the most current information, using the new systems, and keeping your enrolment and visa documentation tidy as Adelaide’s newest university settles in.
