Adelaide University opened on 5 January 2026, built from its two foundation institutions, the University of Adelaide and the University of South Australia. Legislation to establish it passed the South Australian Parliament in November 2023, and in May 2024 it was registered by the Tertiary Education Quality and Standards Agency as an Australian University provider for seven years. Its founding legislation gives it the Kaurna name Tirkangkaku, meaning Place of Learning.
The university describes itself as South Australia’s largest, with seven campuses: Adelaide City, Magill, Mawson Lakes and Waite in Adelaide, and Mount Gambier, Roseworthy and Whyalla in regional South Australia. Teaching is organised in six colleges. At opening the Chancellor said around 70,000 students would benefit, and 56,000 students had transferred from the foundation institutions in December 2025. Professor Nicola Phillips became Vice Chancellor and President on 12 January 2026.