аIJʹÙÍø

FAQs

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We will continue to build on these FAQs as we progress with the project.

аIJʹÙÍø introduces a new academic calendar

  • With extensive input from the аIJʹÙÍø community, the University has decided to adopt a new academic calendar to meet the changing needs of students, staff, and the broader education landscape. 

    Our new flex-semester calendar will replace the current 3+ calendar in 2028. 

    The key features of our new calendar include: 

    • two 12-week teaching semesters 
    • mid-semester breaks more aligned to other universities and school holidays 
    • optional six-week summer and winter terms for intensive or catch-up courses and accelerated study. 
    • embedded six-week teaching blocks for greater flexibility in course design and delivery.

    The transition to a flex-semester calendar aims to enhance the student learning experience, provide flexibility and choice, create more adaptable learning pathways, and strengthen аIJʹÙÍø’s ability to meet industry and workforce needs. 

    See a detailed view of the flex-semester calendar here.

    аIJʹÙÍø Online will continue to operate an independent six-term (hexamester) calendar for our life-long learning offering.

  • With significant changes in the world over the last seven years driving an evolving education landscape, it is critical we have a calendar that allows us to successfully adapt and further the ambitions of our new аIJʹÙÍø Strategy: Progress for All.

    Our new flex-semester calendar will enable us to meet the changing needs and learning preferences of our diverse student cohorts – making education more accessible; provide an enriched student experience; support and grow our lifelong learning offering; and strengthen our ability to adapt to the evolving needs of the workforce and industry. 

  • We aim to introduce our new calendar in 2028. Planning and alignment with broader University objectives and initiatives is currently underway to ensure the necessary updates to our systems, processes and resources are implemented in a co-ordinated and properly resourced way and the transition is smooth.

  • A long and involved process of review, consultation, development and evaluation with the аIJʹÙÍø community – over 7,000 students and staff contributed – helped inform the University’s decision. Multiple calendar options were first explored to determine the desired characteristics of an evolved calendar model. Two were selected for further consultation and evaluation – an optimised trimester and the new semester model (with embedded six-week teaching blocks) which we have chosen. Both models were considered against a complex range of factors, including alignment with strategic priorities, learning outcomes, student and staff experience, financial sustainability and operational feasibility. After weighing up these factors, the University’s Leadership Team reached a decision which was endorsed by the University’s Council.

  • Some features of the calendar may evolve as we refine the implementation considerations to best support the аIJʹÙÍø community. We will continue to consult with key stakeholders as we progress and will publish the final calendar once available.

  • While the calendar will be refined, the mid-semester and winter breaks will be more aligned with NSW school holidays and other domestic university schedules.

  • Consultation with key stakeholders will continue throughout the detailed design and implementation stages of the project to ensure all factors are considered for a smooth transition. You can also provide comments or feedback via the feedback page.

  • We understand that final semester dates are a priority for our partners and prospective students, and we are working hard to finalise these dates. We will share the updates on our website as soon as they are available.

  • You can provide feedback, comments or raise a concern via the feedback page on the project website using the ‘get in touch’Ìý´Ú´Ç°ù³¾.

Student FAQs

  • The exact dates for the new Flex-Semester calendar are currently being finalised and will be communicated as soon as they are confirmed.

    For planning purposes only, students can expect the following indicative semester timing:

    • Semester 1: Late February to mid-June
    • Semester 2: Early August to late November/early December

    Please note that these dates are a guide only, subject to change and should not be used for travel or enrolment planning until official confirmation is provided.

  • Currently, some courses and programs, e.g., in Medicine & Health, operate on a bespoke calendar. These programs will not automatically transition to the new academic calendar. We are currently reviewing the merits and implications on a case-by-case basis to determine the best approach and will keep relevant stakeholders updated as we progress.

  • The University will work with you to resolve or minimise any issues that may arise with your study load and facilitate on-time program completion.

    Students will be kept updated on changes as we progress to implementation. 

  • аIJʹÙÍø will work closely with transitioning students to resolve or minimise issues that may arise with their planned Program progression.

    MyPlan – a tool to plan program progression - will map the progression of transitioning students and this data will be used to tailor the course offerings during the transition period. We anticipate an increase in courses offered during our summer term and other periods to allow students to move through their program at their planned pace.  

    The University will enhance support services for students including academic advice and mental health resources to enable students to best adapt to the new calendar structure. 

  • The University will work with you to resolve or minimise changes to study load and course progression and facilitate on-time degree program completion. 

    Students will be kept updated on any changes as we progress to implementation. 

  • No, the cost to study is calculated on the Units of Credits (UoC) being taken. The Units of Credit will be the same under the flex-semester calendar.

  • We do not expect any changes to Centrelink arrangements. Full time load for each year will remain the same as it currently is. As part of the implementation consultation process, we will be informing Centrelink of changes to the academic calendar. We will continue to update relevant cohorts.

  • Full-time status will remain at 36 Units of Credit (UoC) per year. This load will ensure you are eligible for relevant concession cards.

  • The flex-semester allows students to accelerate completion of their degree program by taking courses in winter or summer terms. The option to ‘overload’ in semesters will also remain, subject to course availability and student performance.

  • The standard study load for Summer and Winter Terms is typically one intensive course worth 6 units of credit (UOC).

    These terms are shorter in duration, and the workload is concentrated.

  • We’re currently finalising timelines for the release of the 2028 Handbook. We hope to make this information available earlier than usual. Updates will be shared as soon as the release schedule is confirmed.

  • We’re currently finalising timelines for the availability of 2028 course outlines. We understand the importance of early access and hope to make these available earlier than usual. Further details will be communicated once confirmed.

  • Exchange and Study Abroad students are required to enrol in a full-time study load of 24 units of credit (UOC) per semester. This typically equates to four courses, each worth 6 UOC.  There has been no change to the course weighting with courses continuing to carry a weighting of 6 UOC. 

  • Exchange and Study Abroad students are generally expected to enrol in four courses per semester, which equates to a standard full-time load of 24 units of credit (UOC).

  • We anticipate that Exchange students will enrol in Semester 1 and/or Semester 2 courses only.  Summer and winter term courses will be excluded from the Student Exchange Program.

  • We anticipate that Study Abroad students will commence in Semester 1 or Semester 2.  Summer or winter term courses may be an optional add on.

  • Exchange and Study Abroad students studying at аIJʹÙÍø in any semester will be expected to arrive in time for orientation and remain until the end of the exam period. 

    A semester consists of orientation week, 12-week teaching period inclusive of a one-week mid-semester break, a one-week study vacation (Stuvac), and a two-week exam period.

    Most courses will be delivered in a semester structure.

  • Students who have further questions about how the new academic calendar will impact their studies should contact The Nucleus – Student Hub.

Staff FAQs

  • Several activities outside the scope of the Academic Calendar Project are in progress or in planning stages to help address issues around workload as well as teaching and learning. These include:

    • Transforming and reducing assessments
    • Program re-design
    • Future campus planning
    • Process and system improvement including the workload model review, special considerations uplift, and admissions transformation.

  • Combined Track staff have been considered and consulted as part of the process. The Academic Calendar Project Team will continue working with staff representatives to understand and implement any required adjustments to minimise impacts to this cohort. If you have specific comments, feedback or concerns we encourage you to speak with your faculty executive team or get in touch via our website.

  • Education Focused staff have been considered and consulted as part of the process. The Academic Calendar Project Team will continue working with staff representatives to understand and implement any required adjustments and minimise impacts to this cohort.

    If you have specific comments, feedback or concerns we encourage you to speak with your faculty executive team or get in touch via our website.