Griffith University’s achievements in research and learning are underpinned by a strong community ethos where staff and students actively engage with the wider community to develop contemporary and collaborative solutions as well as provide a unique Australian educational experience.

The University has a reputation for responding creatively to local, national and global change, and its academic approach is proudly founded on the sharing of knowledge across traditional boundaries.
 
Its educational offerings are especially enhanced through work-integrated learning which is now featured in many of the programs, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Such an industry-ready approach to its courses is another feature which sets Griffith apart.

Equality of opportunity is central to the University’s mission, and it actively strives to nurture talent and to give students and staff opportunities to reach their potential so they can make valuable contributions to the professions and to their communities at large. 

With campuses spread over three cities and students hailing from more than 80 countries, campus life is exciting at Griffith. The University has linkages and partnerships with education providers and industries around the world, including agreements with more than with 150 educational institutions, and it hosts many visiting fellows and high-achieving scholars from around the world throughout the academic year.

Griffith is home to more than 20 significant research centres. Among these are the Griffith Asia Institute, Institute for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Institute for Integrated and Intelligent Systems, the Heart Foundation Research Centre, Institute for Glycomics, Centre for Riverine Landscapes, Centre for Governance and Public Policy and the Key Centre for Ethics, Law, Justice and Governance.

Its research strengths include: medical and oral health; drug discovery; water/environmental science; population and community health; democracy, security and public policy; quantum dynamics; urban research; information and communication technology; and public culture and creative arts. Griffith University is a member of Innovative Research Universities Australia.

The programs on offer in 2006 include Animation; Aviation; Biomolecular Science; Business Management; Criminology; Education; Engineering and Information Technology; International Business; Dentistry; Dental Prosthetics; Film and Screen Media; Journalism; Medicine; Music; Nursing; Photography; Photonics and Nanoscience; Politics and Government; Physiotherapy;
Psychology; Social Work; and Science.

Established in 1971, the University is named in honour of Sir Samuel Griffith (1845-1920), a former Premier and Chief Justice of Queensland and the first Chief Justice of Australia. Its Queensland College of Art was established in Brisbane in 1881 followed in 1957 by the Queensland Conservatorium.