Griffith University Profile
Griffith University is a public Australian university founded in 1971 and based in Brisbane and the Gold Coast. With more than 40,000 students, it is a popular study destination for Queensland school leavers and international students.
The largest campus is on the Gold Coast, where Griffith has major health, engineering and technology facilities. Nathan is the main science and engineering campus in Brisbane. South Bank is home to specialist institutions for music, film, art and design.
What Griffith University Is Known For
Griffith University is known as being an accessible uni for students wanting to study in Brisbane or on the Gold Coast. The large, multi-campus university has facilities to cater for each type of student and has lower entry requirements than UQ.
- Different campuses with distinct identities. Nathan is the leafy science and engineering campus, the Gold Coast is strong in health and medicine, and South Bank is built around music, film, art and design.
- Professional and creative degrees. Griffith has large enrolments in health, business and the humanities, while specialist institutions such as the Queensland Conservatorium and Griffith Film School give it a creative arts presence.
- Access rather than prestige. Griffith is ranked lower than UQ in world university rankings, but offers more attainable entry.
Griffith is a somewhat fragmented university where the value depends on the campus and course. Logan can suit someone wanting a smaller community, Nathan offers a forest setting, and the Gold Coast combines a large campus with hospital and beach access.
What Do People Study at Griffith University?
Griffith University offers a full range of Australian university degrees, with the highest enrolments in arts and humanities, health, and business. Its broad course range is supported by specialist health, science and creative arts facilities across its campuses.
| Field of education | Undergraduate | Postgraduate |
|---|---|---|
| Total enrolments | 30,751 | 12,916 |
| Society and Culture | 8,655 | 2,231 |
| Management and Commerce | 5,880 | 2,419 |
| Health | 5,801 | 3,543 |
| Creative Arts | 3,105 | 428 |
| Natural and Physical Sciences | 2,736 | 627 |
| Education | 2,343 | 1,837 |
| Information Technology | 1,898 | 891 |
| Engineering and Related Technologies | 1,516 | 671 |
| Other fields | 925 | 315 |
Source: Australian Government Department of Education, Perturbed Student Enrolments Pivot Table 2024. Other fields combines architecture and building with agriculture and environmental studies.
Society and Culture was the largest undergraduate field in 2024, with 8,655 enrolments. Health and business each attracted close to 6,000 undergraduates, while Creative Arts enrolled more than 3,000.
Health led postgraduate study with 3,543 enrolments. Across the fields shown, Griffith recorded 30,751 undergraduate and 12,916 postgraduate enrolments, confirming its position as a large, all-round university.
Courses for International Students
International students can study across Griffith University’s full course range. Business attracts the most enrolments, followed by information technology, health and engineering.
Management and Commerce accounted for 1,401 international enrolments in 2024, or almost one-third of the total. Information Technology, Health and Engineering each attracted more than 500 enrolments.
| Field of education | International enrolments |
|---|---|
| Total enrolments | 4,455 |
| Management and Commerce | 1,401 |
| Information Technology | 654 |
| Health | 599 |
| Engineering and Related Technologies | 507 |
| Society and Culture | 431 |
| Other fields | 863 |
Source: Australian Government Department of Education, Perturbed Student Enrolments Pivot Table 2024. Figures combine undergraduate and postgraduate international enrolments.
The 4,455 enrolments were distributed across professional, scientific, creative and humanities courses. International students therefore have access to a broad university rather than a narrow selection of degrees designed mainly for overseas markets.
Griffith University Campus Map
Griffith University has campuses in Brisbane, Logan and the Gold Coast. Each location has a different academic character, with major health facilities on the Gold Coast, science and engineering facilities at Nathan, and specialist creative arts institutions at South Bank.
Gold Coast Campus
The Gold Coast is Griffith’s largest campus and sits within the Gold Coast Health and Knowledge Precinct beside Gold Coast University Hospital.
- Griffith health clinics
- Advanced Design and Prototyping Technologies Institute
Brisbane South (Nathan) Campus
Nathan is Griffith’s original campus and a major location for science, engineering, aviation, information technology and environmental studies.
- Engineering, Technology and Aviation Building
- Sir Samuel Griffith Centre and science laboratories
Logan Campus
Logan is a smaller campus specialising in nursing, midwifery, education and community services.
- Nursing and Midwifery Simulation Laboratory
- Griffith Business School Tax Clinic
South Bank Campus
South Bank is Griffith’s creative arts precinct, bringing together visual arts, design, music, film and performance near Brisbane’s major cultural institutions.
- Griffith University Art Museum and art studios
- Queensland Conservatorium Theatre and Griffith Film School facilities
Treasury Building
Griffith plans to begin teaching at the restored Treasury Building in Brisbane CBD in 2027, mainly for business, government, law and information technology students.
- Business, law and technology teaching spaces
- Executive education and industry engagement facilities
Student Accommodation
With the exception of the Logan campus, Griffith’s main locations have established student accommodation either on campus or in nearby suburbs. Gold Coast and Nathan students can live on campus, while South Bank is surrounded by private student residences and inner-city rentals.
- Gold Coast: Southport is the closest major area, with Parkwood and Labrador offering quieter alternatives. Surfers Paradise has a longer commute but direct light rail access.
- Nathan: Nathan and Upper Mount Gravatt offer the shortest trips to campus. Coopers Plains and Macgregor are also practical choices.
- South Bank: South Bank, West End and Kangaroo Point provide convenient inner-city accommodation.
- Logan: Meadowbrook and surrounding suburbs provide private rental options, although there is no dedicated campus residence.
Private rentals, shared housing and purpose-built student residences can be compared through Griffith University accommodation on uhomes.com. Check whether furniture, utilities and internet are included, and inspect the property in person or by video before paying a deposit.
On-campus accommodation includes Griffith University Village at the Gold Coast and Bellenden Ker College at Nathan. Places can fill well before the start of semester, so early applications are advisable.