School of Global, Urban and Social Studies

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 programs from undergraduate to PhDs.

About

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

You’ll be taught by our award-winning staff, who have won external teaching awards and regularly win college and university awards. We 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 the best professionally accredited in Australia.

The school is also successful in engaging in valuable research. We have generated more than $4 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 four in Urban and Regional Planning and in Cultural Studies. This ranking places the quality of the school's research above world standard.

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Our teaching areas

Explore our programs

Spring and Summer electives

A wide range of Higher Education electives are available for Spring and Summer semesters in diverse areas such as Global Studies, Justice and Legal Studies, Language Studies, and Sustainability and Urban Planning.

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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

Seven ways the 1969 Transportation Plan shaped Melbourne

Society and Environment

12 Dec 2019

Today marks 50 years since the landmark 1969 Transportation Plan. Here, we take a look back on the plan that brought Melbourne its network of freeways and roads, and how its legacy stacks up in 2019.

Smart city tech keeps Bendigo residents cool by mapping hot spots

Society and Environment

11 Dec 2019

A new smart technology platform launched today in Bendigo will help residents keep cool this summer by mapping the location of urban hot spots in the city to avoid on hot days.

Making peace between sworn enemies: Lessons from a divided region

Society and Environment

08 Nov 2019

Born in Sarajevo shortly before the Yugoslav Wars erupted there in 1991, Nerkez Opacin knows first-hand how quickly a society can tear itself apart.

Can apocalyptic games prepare us for future sustainability threats?

Art, Design and Culture

10 Oct 2019

What can playing apocalyptic games teach us about climate change or energy security? Urban resilience expert Dr Anthony Richardson explores how games can tackle future challenges at the global gaming festival PAX in Melbourne.

Contact

Visit us

Address: 411 Swanston Street, Melbourne, VIC - 3000
Location: Melbourne City campus , Building 37, Level 2
Hours: Monday to Friday: 9.00am–5.30pm

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