Building upon the traditions of St. Francis College and Westbrook College, the University of New England has grown and evolved for more than a century. Now encompassing three campuses, more than 40 undergraduate majors, six Centers of Excellence in Research, a College of Osteopathic Medicine, a School of Pharmacy, and Northern New England's only College of Dental Medicine, our institution is poised for progress.
The University of New England has a rich and varied history, reflecting the determination, creativity, and resourcefulness of its leaders, and of the history of Maine and New England.
It is a wonderful story beginning with Franciscan monks on the banks of the Saco River in 1939 who formed the College Seraphique, a high school and junior college to educate boys of Quebecois decent. In 1952, the institution became a four-year liberal arts college called St. Francis College. As the College struggled financially in the late ‘70’s, necessity and opportunity met in the form of the New England College of Osteopathic Medicine. The College of Osteopathic Medicine was opened on the campus of St. Francis and the two became the University of New England in 1978.
In 1996, there came another opportunity for growth for UNE. Westbrook College, founded in 1831 as Westbrook Seminary, located in Portland, was experiencing similar financial and enrollment difficulties as St. Francis had in the ’70s. Westbrook College merged with UNE, bringing with it a long history and dedicated alumni body.
UNE has grown to become Maine's largest private university, and our story continues with every graduating class. With three distinctive campuses in Biddeford and Portland, Maine, and Tangier, Morocco, and six unique Maine colleges — the College of Arts and Sciences, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Westbrook College of Health Professions, College of Dental Medicine, College of Business, and the College of Graduate and Professional Studies — the next chapter will certainly be an interesting one.
The University of New England stands out for providing a positive, high-quality educational experience that leads to outstanding career outcomes. Explore this section to learn about what makes us unique.
SENSE OF PURPOSE
At UNE, you’ll study alongside a supportive and tight-knit community of like-minded people who are driven by a desire to make meaningful impacts on the world around them. This sense of purpose is present in all of UNE’s programs. As you study at UNE, you will develop a professionalism and expertise that are imbued with compassion and authenticity.
RETURN ON INVESTMENT
A college education is one of life’s major investments, and we are proud that our students are consistently able to find rewarding careers as they go out in the world. Our record of post-graduate success is recognized in U.S. News & World Report’s national “Best Colleges 2022” list, in the 2024 edition of The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges guide, and by the Brookings Institution, who singled out UNE as Maine’s #1 college for increasing career earnings.
ENGAGING LEARNING
UNE is committed to providing enriching experiences in and out of the classroom. Students enjoy hands-on experiential learning, including a renowned study-abroad program, numerous internships, and unparalleled opportunities to conduct research — in the lab and in the field.
AN ACTIVE, WELCOMING COMMUNITY
With more than 90 clubs and easy access to the beach, the mountains, and all that Portland has to offer, there are endless ways to both have fun and get involved. We’re a community that offers all the resources and facilities of a large university while still maintaining a close-knit, small-college campus vibe.
MARKETPLACE OF IDEAS
UNE students engage in a lively, respectful marketplace of ideas, gaining the ability to assess and analyze issues from multiple points of view. Here, you’ll gain not only the knowledge of your chosen discipline but also lifelong skills such as critical thinking and professional competencies (such as how to collaborate and communicate effectively) that allow you to meet the challenges of our world — and to become an active leader in creating its future.
INSPIRING LOCATIONS
Each of UNE's three campuses offers state-of-the-art facilities in a uniquely beautiful, enriching location. Our Biddeford Campus includes 4,000 feet of stunning shoreline on the Maine coast; our Portland Campus is a one-of-a-kind integrated health professions hub in the heart of America's coolest small city; and our Tangier, Morocco, Campus features cutting-edge equipment in a timeless cultural crossroads on the Mediterranean. And, UNE Online allows you to earn your degree from whatever inspiring location you choose.
- At the University of New England, we work hard to give you the best possible learning and research environment.
- If you decide to live on or near our main campus in Armidale, a regional city on the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, you will find your second home. If you want to live in a major Australian city, our Sydney campus is an ideal choice.
- Like many international students, you might decide not to study on campus at all. UNE offers many flexible and online learning options.
- No matter how you prefer to study, our academic and professional community will be on-hand to provide advice and support.
- Good Universities Guide 2019 ranked UNE 1st, with five stars, in New South Wales for Teaching Quality and Overall Experience.
- UNE maintains a high-standard for teaching quality, utilizing its small student-to-teacher ratio and giving students excellent access to award-winning teachers. In the International Student Barometer 2017, UNE was ranked 1st in learning in Australia.
Experience a legacy of excellence
UNE is the only Australian public university awarded the maximum 5 stars for Overall Experience 18 years in a row by the Good Universities Guide.
From our dedication to high-quality teaching and robust support for working adults balancing study and employment to our exceptional online education offerings, UNE consistently stands out as an outstanding Australian university.
It makes sense to trust a university that has an extensive history of helping adults like you become future-fit while they study at home. With our legacy as Australia's longest-running provider of distance education, we naturally offer the majority of our 140+ courses online.
Partner with a university that knows how to help you respond to a rapidly changing world.
Five Stars,
18 Years in a Row
UNE is the only public uni in Australia awarded 18 straight years of five stars for Overall Experience
Good Universities Guide 2007-2024
Student Experience
QILT (government-endorsed) ranks UNE as the top public NSW uni for Student Experience
QILT Student Experience Survey
Teaching Quality
UNE rates among the top 20 per cent of universities in Australia for Teaching Quality
Good Universities Guide 2024
UNE has a proud history of providing an exceptional educational experience that has led to strong outcomes in university rankings and a reputation for excellence.
In the 2024 edition of the Good Universities Guide, UNE was awarded 5-star ratings for:
Overall Experience - Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Teaching Quality - Undergraduate and Postgraduate
Student Support - Undergraduate
Full-time Employment - Undergraduate
These achievements demonstrate our commitment to creating future-fit graduates, our excellence in research and our strong partnerships with communities and industries. By choosing to study with UNE, you’ll be partnering with a uni that knows how to help you respond to rapid workplace change.
#1 for Student Experience
In the most recent QILT Student Experience Survey, UNE earned the top spot among public universities in New South Wales for Student Experience, excelling in both Undergraduate and Postgraduate Coursework categories. Additionally, we secured the #3 position among all public universities across Australia.
The QILT (Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching) Student Experience Survey is endorsed by the Australian Government and is the most comprehensive survey of current higher education students in Australia. All 43 Australian universities participated in the survey and responses were received from over 175,000 undergraduate students and 65,000 postgraduate coursework students.
Our strong performance during challenging times attests to our readiness as a university to equip you for a rapidly evolving world.
Our 5-star study area ratings
These independent 5-star performance ratings for every university in Australia were conducted by and published in the 2023 Good Universities Guide. Our students rated UNE 5 stars in the following areas:
