The University of Western Australia

The University of Western Australia (UWA) is one of Australia’s “sandstone universities”: universities dating back a century or more. UWA is the youngest of the sandstones, having been founded in 1911. It was the first university in the state of Western Australia.

UWA is also known as one of the Group of Eight leading research universities in Australia. Its teaching in life and agricultural sciences, psychology, education and earth and marine sciences is particularly well-known.

The university has nine divisions: Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts, Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Computing and Mathematics, Law, Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Indigenous Studies and Science.

Australian Prime Minister Bob Hawke, comedian Tim Minchin and Nobel Prize winning medic Barry Marshall are among UWA’s alumni.

UWA’s main campus is located in Perth, the capital city of Western Australia. The central business district is just ten minutes away from UWA. Students don’t have to venture far to find entertainment and amenities as the campus has its own hairdresser, weekly market, dentist, bank and outdoor cinema, among other facilities. The Matilda Bay nature reserve and Swan River border the campus, and the beach is a short distance away.

Each year students raise thousands of dollars through Prosh, an annual charity event in which students dress in costume and walk around Perth selling a satirical newspaper. The paper is written by students and mocks current events and political figures. The Prosh tradition dates back to 1931.