School of Global, Urban and Social Studies

The School of Global, Urban and Social Studies delivers education, training and research that contribute to a just and sustainable world. Join us today.

Welcome to RMIT's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies

Located in the heart of Melbourne on RMIT’s City campus, the School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) is one of RMIT’s largest schools and provides teaching programs in four discipline areas from undergraduate to PhDs.

About

The School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) a community of socially concerned and globally engaged scholars who challenge conventional ideas about globalisation, sustainability, language, crime and social care through action-oriented teaching and applied research.

As a student in GUSS you will be taught by our passionate and award-winning staff who maintain strong links with industry and professionally recognised bodies. RMIT's programs within planning, social work, translating and interpreting are all professionally accredited. Reviews by external assessors have placed these programs as amongst the best in Australia.

The School is also successful in engaging in valuable industry-connected research, generating more than $6 million each year of external research funding and continuing to build research networks that extend globally. In the most recent national Excellence in Research for Australia (ERA) ranking, the School secured a ranking of 4 in Urban and Regional Planning and in Cultural Studies. This ranking places the quality of the School's research above world standard. GUSS’s researchers have been a driving force for much of RMIT’s excellent performance in the United Nations’ global Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) rankings, including 1^st for SDG 10 (Reducing inequalities), 12^th for SDG 6 (Clean water and sanitation) and 21^st for SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities).

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Our teaching areas

Explore our programs

Language studies

Language electives give you the opportunity to meet your personal language needs, or gain a competitive edge in the global job market. Overseas study tours are available for all languages.

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Industry

RMIT's School of Global, Urban and Social Studies (GUSS) is committed to fostering partnerships with industry and communities.

The School's high-profile partnerships and celebrated industry links drive developments in and contribute to various industries, and shape RMIT’s educational offerings, ensuring they are relevant and produce work-ready graduates.

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Research

The School of Global, Urban and Social Studies engages in research across diverse areas and its research responds to the needs of our time and is engaged with communities.

Research centres and groups

The School of Global, Urban and Social Studies has a strong research profile with three nationally recognised research centres located within the School.

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Postgraduate (HDR) research

The School of Global, Urban and Social Studies offers Masters by Research and Doctor of Philosophy programs in the social sciences.

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Projects

The School of Global, Urban and Social Studies supports a number of research projects and networks that maintain wider links with local and global communities.

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News

New smart tool to step up walkability in rural Australia

Society and Environment

10 Aug 2020

New research aims to strengthen walkability in rural and regional areas, delivering an innovative smart online tool to support and encourage Australians to get active.

The great disruption: How COVID-19 might help us to end homelessness

Society and Environment

05 Aug 2020

Opinion from Professor Guy Johnson, Director, Unison Housing Research Lab at RMIT University and James King, CEO Unison Housing.

Celebrating our deep-rooted love for trees

Art, Design and Culture

30 Jul 2020

Givers of oxygen, providers of shade and shelters to our native wildlife – reasons to love trees never grows old.

Birdwatching increased tenfold last lockdown. Don’t stop, it’s a huge help for bushfire recovery

Society and Environment

09 Jul 2020

Many Victorians returning to stage three lockdown will be looking for ways to pass the hours at home. And some will be turning to birdwatching.

Contact

Visit us

Address: 360 Swanston Street, Melbourne
Location: Building 8, Level 10
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9AM–5PM
Phone: +61 3 9925 2328

Postal address

School of Global, Urban and Social Studies
GPO Box 2476
Melbourne, Victoria - 3001

Academic Services team

Current Student school enquiries: RMIT Connect Portal

Academic Services (academic staff support): guss.academic.services@rmit.edu.au

Research

School: guss.research@rmit.edu.au
Centre for Urban Research: cur@rmit.edu.au
Social and Global Studies Centre: social.global@rmit.edu.au

People

The School of Global, Urban and Social Studies is led by a team of professionals with knowledge and experience across their fields, including sustainability, language studies, justice, and social work, and more.

Meet the staff

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.

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