What are the Academic Calendar changes to BEED, BECH, UCCF, and UCTE in 2024?
Updated
What Academic Calendar will the programs follow in 2024?
In 2024, the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) (BEED), Bachelor of Early Childhood (BECH), Undergraduate Certificate of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) (UCTE) and the Undergraduate Certificate of Child and Family Studies (UCCF) programs will follow the Trimester Academic Calendar.
A Trimester is a study period that occurs three times during the year. Each Trimester is of equal length (14 weeks) and includes a 2-week flexible learning period (these are weeks that contain no new teaching content, but there is an expectation that students will still be engaged with other aspects of study, which may include catching up, revision, and assessment progression/submission).
The first Trimester study period for undergraduate education degrees starts in January 2024.
Visit the Academic Calendar and Important Dates page for more information on key dates or to download a copy of the Trimester Calendar.
When can I start my program? Can I start in any study period?
You can apply to start the Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood) and Bachelor of Early Childhood programs in Trimester 1 (January), Trimester 2 (May) or Trimester 3 (September).
You can apply to start the Undergraduate Certificate of Child and Family Studies and Undergraduate Certificate of Teaching (Early Childhood Education) in Trimester 1 (January) or Trimester 2 (May).
The Trimester Academic Calendar enables you to commence your studies in the trimester that works for you.
Are all courses taught in each study period?
Not all courses are offered in every study period.
Recommended enrolment patterns are provided in the program handbook. These patterns have been developed to build your foundational knowledge and ensures you meet pre-requisite requirements when completing subsequent courses.
Please note, you can take a maximum of one professional experience course in each trimester.
It is recommended that you enrol into your professional experience courses well in advance of their commencement date (it is recommended you enrol during the preceding trimester). This is because your placement needs to be sourced and confirmed. Enrolling in your professional courses well in advance of their commencement date will ensure that you can attend Professional Experience at the scheduled time.
When will the 2024 Handbook be available?
The handbook will be released prior to enrolment opening for 2024 courses.
Can I accelerate my program and finish my degree more quickly?
Yes, there may be some options for you to accelerate your program. If you have a relevant Early Childhood Diploma (or Advanced Diploma), you may be eligible to apply for up to eight (8 units) of course credits.
Courses have been designed in the trimester calendar to complement the professional experience placements you will undertake in schools.
If you are studying part-time, you will find options to distribute your study load more evenly throughout the year, and possibly study more than 2-4 courses per year if desired. However, this is subject to course offerings, enrolment requisites and program rules. If you require any assistance with your enrolment, please visit the enrolment website or contact iconnect.
Am I required to study in every study period with this layer?
No! There is no obligation to study in every trimester throughout your program.
Subject to availability of courses, and enrolment requisites, you may be able to enrol in four courses in one trimester and four courses in another trimester and then use the third trimester as a break.
Alternatively, you may want to spread your enrolment load across the year and take fewer courses in each trimester. This might help you to balance work, study, family, and other commitments.
A part-time pathway is available if you want to do fewer courses across the year.
If you are considering full or part time study, an international student, or receiving Centrelink benefits you can access more information on full-time study.
How does the program following the Trimester calendar benefit me?
Program completion is supported within the calendar year so that you can be employed when schools and early childhood centres recruit during the year and/or for the start of the school year.
This is contingent on completing the requirements for graduation eligibility, including the correct courses, minimum number of professional experience days and LANTITE, and on results release for the teaching period.
The Trimester calendar also offers a great deal of flexibility to allow you to speed up or slow down your studies. It allows you to study in all three trimesters in a calendar year and still have a break (approx. 6 weeks) in your studies over the end of year holiday period.
Will I have to do any courses in different academic calendar?
All courses will be offered in trimesters for this program.
How do pathway timings match up with entry into this program?
The Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) is offered in the Block calendar. Please see below alignment between completion of TPP and commencing a program being offered in the Trimester calendar:
| Complete TPP | Commence Program taught in Trimesters | ||
| Block 1 2024 | 1 March | Trimester 2 2024 | 13 May |
| Block 2 2024 | 26 April | ||
| Block 3 2024 | 21 June | Trimester 3 2024 | 2 September |
| Block 4 2024 | 16 August | ||
| Block 5 2024 | 11 October | Trimester 1 2025 | 20 January |
| Block 6 2024 | 6 December | ||
If you are a First Nations student and complete the Indigenous Higher Education Pathways Program (IHEPP) you can commence in the following Trimester after completing IHEPP. Please note, IHEPP will be taught in Trimesters 1 and 3 from 2024.
I am a current student, what does this change mean for me?
We anticipate there will be minimal changes to your enrolment pattern. In 2024 you will enrol in the trimester academic calendar.
Dates for your professional experiences (pracs) will be available later this year on the UniSQ Education Placements website. Should you have any questions or concerns about your professional experience placement requirements, please contact the Work Integrated Learning Team.
Where can I go if I need support?
Find answers online, any time, through Ask UniSQ FAQs, or live chat or connect with the iconnect team, your first point of contact when you need information or support, 7 days a week. The team is also available to answer your queries on-campus in UniSQ Toowoomba, Ipswich and Springfield.