RMIT University Archives Collection

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RMIT University Archives Collection

An ever-growing repository of records that help to tell the story of how RMIT has evolved from the Working Men's College in 1887 to the global university of today.

RMIT University Archives Collection

An ever-growing repository of records that help to tell the story of how RMIT has evolved from the Working Men's College in 1887 to the global university of today.

RMIT University Archives Collection

An ever-growing repository of records that help to tell the story of how RMIT has evolved from the Working Men's College in 1887 to the global university of today.

RMIT University Archives Collection

An ever-growing repository of records that help to tell the story of how RMIT has evolved from the Working Men's College in 1887 to the global university of today.

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RMIT University Archives preserves and makes available an ever-growing repository of records that help to tell the story of how the institution has evolved from the Working Men's College in 1887 to the global university of today.

Text And Media Image

RMIT University Archives operates as the institutional repository for university records that are evidence of the functions and activities performed throughout RMIT.  Our mission is to acquire, organise, preserve and publicise such materials and to assist researchers in their use.

Our collection spans from the commencement of the Working Men’s College in 1887 until present day, and includes records of predecessor entities. 

Download the RMIT University family tree (PDF)

Collection summary

Digital resources

RMIT University history timeline

Information to access RMIT archives

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Our holdings relate to RMIT University (2002 onwards) and its predecessors and merged institutes and colleges. 

  • Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
  • Royal Melbourne Technical College
  • Melbourne Technical College 
  • Working Men’s College
  • Phillip Institute of Technology
  • Preston Institute of Technology
  • State College of Victoria at Coburg 
  • Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy
  • Melbourne College of Printing and Graphic Arts
  • Melbourne Institute of Textiles

Download the RMIT University family tree (PDF 16KB) for a complete list. 

The Public Record Office Victoria also holds some records for the above organisations.

Obtaining a copy of results, official transcript or certificate

The Exams, Awards and Graduations Unit co-ordinates such requests. Please consult the following for further information regarding the process:

Program and Course information (2005 and earlier)

RMIT Archives maintains a comprehensive collection of records and can assist with your search for historical program and course information (2005 and earlier). 

Please email RMIT Archives (archives@rmit.edu.au) with the following information where known:

  • student name (as it was while a student)
  • student number 
  • program name and code 
  • course names and numbers (and year each course/subject was studied) 
  • your contact details

The course details will be scanned and emailed back to you.  

Program and Course information (2006 onwards)

Requests for Program and Course information from 2006 onward should be directed to RMIT Connect - Login as Guest via the RMIT Connect service portal and lodge an 'Academic Advice' request. 

You can also reach RMIT Connect by phone on +61 3 9925 5000 during business hours (Monday - Thursday: 9am to 5pm, Friday: 10am to 5 pm). 

The RMIT University Archives Collection is open to staff, students and the general public. Some access restrictions may apply.

You may email RMIT Archives with the request particulars and your contact details.

Visits must be arranged with prior notification.

Researchers will be required to comply with RMIT Archives Collection Access Requirements (DOCX 19KB, 1p) and complete the RMIT Archives Researcher Registration Form (DOCX 43KB, 1p) prior to or at the time of their visit.

Citing the University Archives

When reproducing or referring to archival records it is important to cite them accurately.

This enables other researchers to locate and use the record in the future and aids in the checking of sources.

An archives citation should identify:

  • The archives institution holding the record
  • The record series the record is part of
  • The record item itself (if available)

For example:

  • The institution: RMIT University Archives
  • Record series: S0001 RMIT University Council Minutes 1992 - 1999
  • Record item: SER-00003 Council Minutes 1995 - 1996 1/95 to 8/96

A citation can be abbreviated or expanded. For example, abbreviated for use on social media and expanded in a full bibliography.

Full citation

RMIT University Archives, S0001 RMIT University Council Minutes 1992 - 1999, SER-00003 Council Minutes 1995 - 1996 1/95 to 8/96

Brief citation

RMIT Archives, S0001, SER-00003

Copyright information

https://www.rmit.edu.au/library/study/copyright

Contact

Location marker

Visit by appointment

Wurundjeri Country
Building 202 Plenty Rd
Bundoora Victoria

Email: archives@rmit.edu.au
Phone: + 61 3 9925 6067

Building

Postal address

RMIT University Archives
Wurundjeri Country
PO Box 71
Bundoora VIC 3083
Australia

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@RMITArchives

Image credits

  1. ‘Graduation Emily McPherson College April 1972’, S0047 Emily McPherson College Photographs c.1900 – 1979, Item reference no: EMC-193.
  2. ‘Francis Ormond School - North & East Sides 1940’, S0462 Photographic Collection, Item reference no: PH2.4.011:01.
  3. RMIT Archive Facility 2009 90903-NA_Pano_001. Copyright © RMIT University. Photographer: Margund Sallowsky. 
  4. ‘Phillip Institute of Technology Bundoora campus c.1984’, S0653 Photographs 1920-2006, Item reference no: MISC-00015.
  5. ‘Leather bound certificate that was presented to Charles Stewart Paterson in recognition of valuable service to the Working Men’s College 1903’, S0518 Artefacts, Oversized Objects and Ephemera, Item reference no: ART-00015.
  6. ‘Chemistry Laboratory Building 1 1900’, S0462 Photographic Collection, Item reference no: PH3.4.002:01 
  7. Stack of RMIT College Handbooks. Photo taken by Archives staff in 2019.
  8. ‘Harold Brown, Art Department 1940’, S0462 Photographic Collection, Item reference no: PH6.1.008:01.
  9. Spines of Working Men’s College registers. Photo taken by Archives staff in 2019.
  10. ‘Working Men’s College Library Building 1 1900’, S0462 Photographic Collection, Item reference no: PH2.1.045:01.
  11. ‘Graduation Emily McPherson College April 1972’, S0047 Emily McPherson College Photographs c.1900 – 1979, Item reference no: EMC-193.

Images are sourced from the RMIT University Archives and licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution Licence 3.0 Australia unless otherwise stated.

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Acknowledgement of country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business. - Artwork created by Louisa Bloomer

More information
aboriginal flag
torres strait flag

Acknowledgement of country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.

More information