Vignette 62: First Australian university to admit women to degree courses

In 1881, we made history by becoming the first university in Australia to admit women to all our degree courses on an equal basis to men.

The University’s 1874 founding charter initially allowed both men and women to enrol and attend classes, but women could not graduate with full degrees. Overcoming opposition, the University of Adelaide Degrees Act 1880 expressly permitted women to graduate. In 1881, following a recommendation from the University, Queen Victoria approved the Letters Patent which allowed the conferral of degrees on female students. 

In its time, the University has seen many notable female figures, among them Edith Dornwell, the University’s first female graduate, Ruby Davy, the country’s first female Doctor of Music, and Dame Roma Mitchell, South Australia’s first female QC, Supreme Court Judge and Governor. In 1914, Helen Mayo became the first woman elected to a university governing body.

The University believes strongly in equal opportunity for women and has a long history of championing the rights of women in higher education.

The University of Adelaide: 150 Years of Making History.  Leading for the future. p.88