[17] In 1975, the University of Wollongong gained its autonomy as an independent institution of higher learning by the Parliament of New South Wales.

[18] In the late 70s, Tim Berners-Lee sourced TCP/IP software, an integral element of the World Wide Web, from the University of Wollongong.

[19] In 1981, Ken McKinnon was appointed Vice-Chancellor, overseeing the amalgamation of the university with the Wollongong Institute of Education (also known as WIE) in 1982.

Also in 1984 the commencement of the new Wollongong University building program began, which led to the construction and opening of the Illawarra Technology Centre (1985), Kooloobong (1985, 1986, 1990), Weerona College (1986), Administration, Union Mall (now known as UniCentre), URAC (1987), multi-storey carpark (1990) and heated swimming pool (1990).

[20] In August, the Faculty of Science Dean, Rob Whelan, took up a new role as president of the University of Wollongong in Dubai.

In August, a $20 million building housing the Sydney Business School and the UOW/TAFE Digital Media Centre opened at the Innovation Campus.

In 2014, work began on the $20 million iAccelerate building at the Innovation Campus (iC), which offers space for up to 200 budding entrepreneurs to develop their ideas.

[25] In 1999, it was the first foreign-owned institution in the world to be issued a licence from the federal government of the United Arab Emirates,[26] and was formally opened as University of Wollongong, Dubai Campus in October 2000.

Apart from the teaching and research buildings, the campus includes student residences, conference facilities, food halls, supermarket, cafes, restaurants, a bar, conference facilities, indoor sports centres and gymnasium, swimming pool and sports fields.

In 2016 The University of Wollongong expanded the growing South West Sydney region, with a campus in the Liverpool CBD taking its first cohort of students in 2017.

The campus was established with seed funding from the New South Wales government and has received ongoing support from the federal and state governments as well as the Wollongong City Council and was established to drive partnerships and collaboration between the research and business communities by co-locating commercial and research organisation.

[74] The Australian Government's QILT[c] conducts national surveys documenting the student life cycle from enrolment through to employment.

[75] These surveys place more emphasis on criteria such as student experience, graduate outcomes and employer satisfaction[75] than perceived reputation, research output and citation counts.

Wollongong UniCentre, an on-campus organisation and controlled entity of the university, provides the social and commercial infrastructure on the campus, administering the UniBar, student clubs and societies, food outlets, entertainment and activities, a books and news shop and other student services.

The geographical and social centre of the university is the Duck Pond Lawn, and its surrounding eateries and other facilities, including the UniBar.

The UniBar building was opened by Colin Markham MP, Simon Zulian Student Rep, Nigel Pennington UniCentre GM and Gerard Sutton VC on 14 May 2001.

[80] In line with Commonwealth legislation introduced in October 2011, the University of Wollongong instated the Student Services and Amenities Fee.

[81] The Wollongong University RC (or UOW Mallee Bulls) competes in the Illawarra Rugby Union premiership.

The University of Wollongong has 180 global partners,[84] offering international short course and study abroad programs, and internships.

Although a large number of alumni live in Wollongong and Sydney, and a significant number also live in Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Bangkok, London, New York and Washington, D.C.[85][86][87] In 2016, the university awarded a controversial PhD to Judith Wilyman, in which she was alleged to advocate a vaccine conspiracy theory.

"[94] Between 2011 and 2016, there were 40 officially reported cases of sexual assault, harassment or misconduct on campus, resulting in no expulsions, one suspension and three reprimands.

Freedom of information investigations reported by News Limited suggest this may represent "just the tip of the iceberg ... due to under-reporting".