Opened in 1872, Trinity College was the first affiliated residential college at the University of Melbourne and the second in Australia, originally established as a place to prepare theological candidates for ordained ministry in the Anglican Church of Australia.

Trinity College has significantly expanded since 1872 and today consists of three divisions: the Pathways School, the Residential College and the Theological School. 

The College has a diverse student body of more than 2,000 students from a wide range of socioeconomic, geographical and cultural backgrounds. This has created a vibrant and supportive learning community. 

Trinity College embraces reconciliation and is committed to giving Indigenous students access to tertiary study and supporting them academically, pastorally and culturally so as to build their chances of successfully completing a university degree.

Opportunities abound for all our students to explore new interests and pursue their extra-curricular passions – be they musical, sporting, cultural, spiritual, entrepreneurial, or in the areas of leadership and social responsibility. The breadth and depth of these opportunities, supported by extensive student welfare and pastoral care structures, and the diversity of students' backgrounds, nurtures the development of well-rounded individuals, able and willing to lead and serve, locally, nationally or internationally.

Since the completion of the original Warden’s Lodge in 1872, through to commencement of classes in the state-of-the-art Gateway Building in 2017 and opening our newest residential building (Dorothy) in 2020, Trinity has been leading the way with world-class heritage buildings and modern environmentally sustainable facilities and classrooms.

For 150+ years, students, alumni and staff have lived, studied and worked at the College and have helped shape our rich culture and traditions. They have also made significant contributions to the University of Melbourne and have created positive impact in their respective fields in Australia and around the world.

Trinity was founded initially as both an Anglican residential college as well as a training ground for young men pursuing ordination to the Anglican Church. As one of the earliest, advocates for equality in tertiary education, the College has continued to innovate. We are proud to welcome men and women from a range of ages, nationalities and religious backgrounds.

It is both our diversity and history that makes Trinity such a unique and remarkable place. 

Trinity College was established in 1872, making it the oldest college at the University of Melbourne. Our proud, rich history is built on Anglican values and has positioned us as one of Australia’s most reputable educational institutions, with a strong global network of successful and engaged alumni.

To maintain our high standing and to build on our achievements, we know we need to look ahead, so continually mould our priorities and traditions to keep pace with the evolving higher education environment and societal trends. 

We’ve taken this forward-thinking approach for many decades, for instance by becoming the first university college in Australia to admit women as non-resident students in 1883, and the first to provide a residential college facility for women from 1886 at the Trinity College Hostel (now Janet Clarke Hall). Trinity became fully co-residential in 1974. 

We then embraced international education in 1990 by establishing a Pathways School to make the University of Melbourne more accessible to overseas students. In 2001, we became one of the first colleges to provide scholarships to Indigenous students, and have actively led initiatives to support First Nations students in higher education ever since.

Our main campus is located at Parkville, Melbourne, right next door to the University of Melbourne. This is where all of our residential students live, where our Foundation Studies classes are taught, and is the home of our Theological School and Chapel.