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The 3+ calendar was introduced in 2019 with a plan to review within five years. Following the review, the Academic Calendar project was launched to establish a calendar suitable for the future of UNSW. We have been working with the UNSW community to consider what will work for UNSW going forward, exploring a range of calendar concepts.

We have homed in on two proposals – a semester model and a trimester model – and further work is being done to refine both concepts as well as consider the financial, non-financial and operational implications of both approaches before a final decision is made.

Yes – we are working to build two feasible and viable calendar options to be equally considered.

There are a range of different considerations feeding into the decision making process. The University Leadership Team will ultimately make a recommendation for discussion and endorsement by the University Council.

Timing will depend on which calendar model is adopted. If the proposed trimester model is adopted the new calendar should be in place by the start of 2027. If the proposed semester model is adopted, the aim will be for a 2028 start as it is a larger transformation.

A change to the academic calendar requires updates to systems, processes and resources,  and needs to be considered within the context of other UNSW strategic priorities. The length of time will also depend on which model is adopted and the extent of transformation required.  

In the meantime, a raft of supporting initiatives (outside of the Academic Calendar Project) is progressing to address many of the issues and pain-points identified during the review process.

No one calendar can address the diverse needs of our University, and several supporting activities will be essential, irrespective of the chosen calendar, to address pain-points being experienced and to ensure the University’s success. Calendar agnostic supporting activities seeking to reduce workload and administrative burden include:

1. Reducing assessments
2. Program and course re-design
3. Future campus planning
4. Process and system improvement including the workload model review, special considerations  uplift, and admissions transformation.

Each calendar has different benefits and neither one will be able to deliver on everything. The proposed new semester model aligns with NSW school holidays and many domestic university calendars. The proposed new trimester model has a one-week midterm break in T2 that aligns with the NSW winter school holidays and northern hemisphere institutions. It is also worth noting that universities in Australia are becoming more varied in their calendar structure. As calendars evolve to meet the needs of students, inter-university programs and events will also continue to adapt to best fit this new norm.

We are still refining the calendar options to maximise the benefits they deliver. The new trimester calendar provides more time between terms with up to 14 working days between teaching periods. It also allows a dedicated break in the middle of the year, that aligns with the winter school holidays. The additional non-teaching days, when combined with the improvements being implemented across the board are expected to address some of the challenges raised by the previous calendar.

We are still refining the calendar options to minimise disruption and maximise the benefits they deliver. We are aware of the feedback around the late end of year finish and are taking that into consideration as the calendar is finalised. Additionally we are investing in our people, processes and systems to support and enable our workforce. This will help staff better manage end-of-year workloads and deadlines.

Meeting the needs of students, improving the student experience and ensuring we continue to deliver on strong graduate outcomes remain our absolute priorities. During implementation of the new calendar, every effort will made to ensure that continuing students will progress and graduate in their planned timeframe.

There are many costs associated with changing an academic calendar. We are currently working through scenarios as well as considering the changing macro environment.

Your feedback is valued. If you have input or suggestions on the calendar models or ideas for improving work and learning delivery under each option, you can send feedback via the feedback form on our website.