The University of Queensland (UQ) is in the top 100 universities worldwide, measured through a number of major independent university rankings: the Academic Ranking of World Universities, Times Higher Education World University Rankings, QS World University Rankings and, Performance Ranking of Scientific Papers for World Universities. UQ is also the largest university in Queensland.
The first building to be built was the Forgan Smith Building after the Premier of the day, and was completed in 1939. During World War II, it became the advanced headquarters for the Allied Land Forces in the South West Pacific.
The cloister and buildings around the Great Court feature distinctive sandstone, carved with historical scenes, figures, the names of great thinkers and teachers, coats of arms, grotesques and carvings of Australian flora and fauna. The Great Court is listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as well on the Register of the National Trust of Queensland.
