Victoria University (VU) is a multi-sector institution (higher education and TAFE-Technical and Further Education) with excellence in teaching, training, research and scholarship. We at VU offer short courses, as well as qualifications in vocational education (TAFE) and higher education. Our learning pathways enable you to move from a certificate course through to an advanced diploma, degree, or postgraduate qualification by coursework or research.

We have more than 50,000 students enrolled at our local campuses and international sites. We operate primarily at campuses in the western suburbs of Melbourne (Australia), Melbourne city Centre, and locations provided by our partners in Asia and Europe. As the primary university in Melbourne's western region, we are proud to deliver courses, research and engagement activities that are locally relevant and globally significant.

Victoria University (VU) was founded in 1916 as Footscray Technical School. After successive mergers with TAFE colleges in Melbourne's western suburbs, VU was established in 1990.

Today, VU is one of the largest and most culturally diverse education institutions in Australia. We are one of only five multi-sector universities offering TAFE and higher education courses.

Our original mandate was to serve the western region of Melbourne and we continue to do this by forging strong links with local communities, government and industry. VU is equally proud to attract nearly 15,000 international students within a total student body of more than 51,000. Around 4500 dedicated research, teaching and general staff join with students to make VU a new school of thought.

Timeline of VU

March 1916
Footscray Technical School opened.

July 1958
Footscray Technical School renamed Footscray Technical College.

25 September 1968
Footscray Technical College renamed Footscray Institute of Technology.

1 July 1972
Footscray Secondary Technical School separated from Footscray Institute of Technology
(Note: The Secondary School's council was not established until early 1975, a new site for the school was not acquired until 1975 and was not ready for occupation until May 1980).

23 October 1973
Trade Section of Footscray Institute of Technology renamed Footscray Technical College (a division of Footscray Institute of Technology). Footscray Technical College renamed Footscray College of TAFE in April 1982.

1 March 1979
Newport Technical School (a Division of Footscray Institute of Technology) opens. Officially opened on the 22nd October 1980 by the Governor of Victoria, Sir Henry Winneke. Newport Technical School renamedNewport College of TAFE in April 1982.

30 June 1982
Footscray College of TAFE separates from Footscray Institute of Technology.

November 1982
Newport College of TAFE separates from Footscray Institute of Technology with first independent college council meeting on 25th November 1982.

1 July 1990
Victoria University of Technology established through the merger of Footscray Institute of Technology, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology and Western Institute (the 3 merged entities continued to operate as separate legal entities until 1 January 1992)

1 May 1991
Footscray and Newport Colleges of TAFE amalgamate to form a single unitedcollege known as theGellibrand College of TAFE (Note: Newport and Footscray Colleges remained operationally separate until the end of 1991).

1 August 1991
Gellibrand College of TAFE renamed Western Metropolitan College of TAFE.

1 January 1992
Victoria University of Technology commenced operation
(Footscray Institute of Technology and Western Institute [established in July 1986, becoming operationalin 1987] ceased operation. Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology did not proceed with merger).

1 January 1993
Melbourne College of Decoration
(Painting, Decorating and SignwritingPrograms only) merged with Western Metropolitan College of TAFE.

1 July 1993
Flagstaff College of TAFE merged with Western Metropolitan College of TAFE.

1 January 1996
Western Metropolitan College of TAFE renamed Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE.

1 July 1998
Western Melbourne Institute of TAFE amalgamated with Victoria University of Technology.

August 2005
Victoria University of Technology officially changed its name to Victoria University.

Partner institutions
Through our international partner campuses, Victoria University is renowned for providing first-class course curriculum, teaching, and learning support to partner universities and colleges throughout many countries.

• China
• Germany
• Hong Kong
• Malaysia
• Singapore
• Vietnam
• India (Soon to be started in collaboration with Ganpat University)