Our heritage - RMIT University
Source: https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/our-heritage
Archived: 2026-04-23 17:13
Our heritage - RMIT University
Our heritage
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Contact Industry Engagement
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Our heritage
Home
/
About RMIT
/
Our heritage
RMIT was established in 1887 as the Working Men’s College with the aim of bringing education to the working people of Melbourne.
RMIT at a Glance
Our teaching, learning and research programs are continually updated so that students, staff and graduates are equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
At the same time, we have not forgotten our past as one of Australia’s original educational institutions, and we have remained true to our original philosophy.
Since 1887, our inner-city campus has been a vital part of the City of Melbourne, from the 1880s boom through world wars, the Great Depression and renewed prosperity during the second half of the 20th century.
RMIT was awarded royal patronage by Queen Elizabeth II for its educational service to the Commonwealth and contribution to the war effort, and RMIT remains the only higher education institution in Australia with the right to use the prefix “Royal” and the Monarchy's coat of arms.
During the 1990s, the institution gained university status and developed campuses in Bundoora and Brunswick in the city's northern suburbs, and later in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam.
In 2013, RMIT opened a research and industry collaboration centre in Barcelona, Spain.
With significant teaching partnerships in Asia and Europe, as well as research and industry partnerships on every continent, RMIT has a strong global presence.
For more about our history, see
History of RMIT
or the
RMIT University family tree (PDF 130KB).
History of RMIT
RMIT University started its life as the Working Men's College on 7 June 1887.
RMIT's historical buildings
Our Melbourne City campus has grown to include several historic buildings since the establishment of the Working Men’s College in 1887.
RMIT University Archives Collection
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.
History of the RMIT logo
RMIT University's distinctive pixel logo has a long and proud story behind it. Meet the designers behind the original version and discover how the logo has evolved over the years. Watch the story of the RMIT pixel logo below.
Our name
After 95 years as Victoria's leading technological educator, RMIT was granted formal university status under the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Act 1992.
Since it was founded, RMIT University has been known as:
Working Men’s College (1887)
Melbourne Technical College (1934)
Royal Melbourne Technical College (1954)
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (1960)
RMIT University (1992)
We have merged with several other educational institutions:
Melbourne Printing Trades School (1947)
Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy (1979)
Phillip Institute of Technology (1992)
Melbourne College of Decoration and Design (1993)
Melbourne College of Printing and Graphic Art (1997)
Melbourne Institute of Textiles (1999)
These institutions are now part of RMIT University.
Night view from across Latrobe Street looking East Building 1 1935. RMIT Archives Collection PH2.1.018.
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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
News
Events
Library
Maps
Careers
Contacts
Study with Us
Levels of study
Online courses and degrees
Single courses
Applying to RMIT
International students
Parents
Careers advisers
Life at RMIT
Study experience
Student life
Support for students
Global opportunities
Industry connections
Research
Our research
Centres and collaborations
Partnerships
Research degrees
Find researchers
Research contacts
Partner
Workforce development
Staff development and training
Research partnerships
Facilities and equipment services
Giving
About
Our strategy
Governance and management
Values
Sustainability
Schools and colleges
Our locations and facilities
Copyright © 2026 RMIT University
|
Terms
|
Privacy
|
Accessibility
|
Website feedback
|
Complaints
|
ABN 49 781 030 034
|
CRICOS provider number: 00122A
|
TEQSA provider number: PRV12145
|
RTO Code: 3046
|
Open Universities Australia
|
RMIT Training Pty Ltd, trading as RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP), CRICOS Provider Code: 01912G
Our heritage
SKIP TO CONTENT
Search field
Search
Search
RMIT Australia
RMIT Europe
RMIT Global
RMIT Vietnam
RMIT UP
RMIT Online
Students
Alumni
Staff
Library
RMIT Online
Courses
Courses by study area
Undergraduate courses
Postgraduate courses
Vocational studies
Pre-university studies
Online courses and degrees
Entry pathways
Single courses
Short courses and microcredentials
Courses for international students
Contact Study@RMIT
Study with us
How to apply
Fees
Scholarships
School leaver information
Student services
Student experience
Key dates
Indigenous students
Parents
Career advisers
Contact Study@RMIT
Frequently asked questions
Life at RMIT
Study experience
Student life
Support for students
Global opportunities
Industry connections
Contact Study@RMIT
About
News
Events
Maps
Careers
Contact us
Our strategy
Governance & management
Schools & colleges
Respect for Australian Indigenous cultures
Our locations and facilities
Our heritage
Regenerative Futures
Research
Our research
Impact
Research degrees
Facilities
Partnerships
Find researchers
Centres and collaborations
Contact
Partner
Recruit students and graduates
Workforce development
Collaborate with RMIT
Research partnerships
Facilities, equipment and services
Contact Industry Engagement
Giving to RMIT
International
Study in Australia
Apply to RMIT as an international student
Courses for international students
Contact Study@RMIT
Fees and scholarships for international students
International student services
Key dates and intake information for international students
Frequently asked questions
Our heritage
Home
/
About RMIT
/
Our heritage
RMIT was established in 1887 as the Working Men’s College with the aim of bringing education to the working people of Melbourne.
RMIT at a Glance
Our teaching, learning and research programs are continually updated so that students, staff and graduates are equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
At the same time, we have not forgotten our past as one of Australia’s original educational institutions, and we have remained true to our original philosophy.
Since 1887, our inner-city campus has been a vital part of the City of Melbourne, from the 1880s boom through world wars, the Great Depression and renewed prosperity during the second half of the 20th century.
RMIT was awarded royal patronage by Queen Elizabeth II for its educational service to the Commonwealth and contribution to the war effort, and RMIT remains the only higher education institution in Australia with the right to use the prefix “Royal” and the Monarchy's coat of arms.
During the 1990s, the institution gained university status and developed campuses in Bundoora and Brunswick in the city's northern suburbs, and later in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi in Vietnam.
In 2013, RMIT opened a research and industry collaboration centre in Barcelona, Spain.
With significant teaching partnerships in Asia and Europe, as well as research and industry partnerships on every continent, RMIT has a strong global presence.
For more about our history, see
History of RMIT
or the
RMIT University family tree (PDF 130KB).
History of RMIT
RMIT University started its life as the Working Men's College on 7 June 1887.
RMIT's historical buildings
Our Melbourne City campus has grown to include several historic buildings since the establishment of the Working Men’s College in 1887.
RMIT University Archives Collection
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.
History of the RMIT logo
RMIT University's distinctive pixel logo has a long and proud story behind it. Meet the designers behind the original version and discover how the logo has evolved over the years. Watch the story of the RMIT pixel logo below.
Our name
After 95 years as Victoria's leading technological educator, RMIT was granted formal university status under the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology Act 1992.
Since it was founded, RMIT University has been known as:
Working Men’s College (1887)
Melbourne Technical College (1934)
Royal Melbourne Technical College (1954)
Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology (1960)
RMIT University (1992)
We have merged with several other educational institutions:
Melbourne Printing Trades School (1947)
Emily McPherson College of Domestic Economy (1979)
Phillip Institute of Technology (1992)
Melbourne College of Decoration and Design (1993)
Melbourne College of Printing and Graphic Art (1997)
Melbourne Institute of Textiles (1999)
These institutions are now part of RMIT University.
Night view from across Latrobe Street looking East Building 1 1935. RMIT Archives Collection PH2.1.018.
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 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.
Learn more about our commitment to Indigenous cultures
News
Events
Library
Maps
Careers
Contacts
Study with Us
Levels of study
Online courses and degrees
Single courses
Applying to RMIT
International students
Parents
Careers advisers
Life at RMIT
Study experience
Student life
Support for students
Global opportunities
Industry connections
Research
Our research
Centres and collaborations
Partnerships
Research degrees
Find researchers
Research contacts
Partner
Workforce development
Staff development and training
Research partnerships
Facilities and equipment services
Giving
About
Our strategy
Governance and management
Values
Sustainability
Schools and colleges
Our locations and facilities
Copyright © 2026 RMIT University
|
Terms
|
Privacy
|
Accessibility
|
Website feedback
|
Complaints
|
ABN 49 781 030 034
|
CRICOS provider number: 00122A
|
TEQSA provider number: PRV12145
|
RTO Code: 3046
|
Open Universities Australia
|
RMIT Training Pty Ltd, trading as RMIT University Pathways (RMIT UP), CRICOS Provider Code: 01912G