What are the Academic Calendar changes to GCCH in 2024?
Updated
What calendar layer will the program be using for 2024 intakes?
In 2024, the Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care will move into the trimester 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 this postgraduate education programs 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 Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care program in Trimester 1 (January), Trimester 2 (May) or Trimester 3 (September).
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?
No, not all courses are offered in 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.
As there are no enrolment requisites in the courses you will study in the Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care, your enrolment pattern is flexible.
Please note, you can take a maximum of one professional experience course in each trimester.
It is recommended 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 your professional experience at the scheduled time or allow you time request a change of dates for the GCCH placements.
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?
This program can only be completed in a part-time enrolment pattern. This is because this 1-year, part-time enrolment pattern is designed to support you to complete your studies and professional experience while working in the teaching profession.
In this program you enrol in a maximum of two courses per trimester (4 in the year). This part-time enrolment pattern is designed to complement the time you that are required to attend professional experience placements in an educational setting with children.
You may be eligible for credit in accordance with the Credit and Exemption procedure as outlined in the Handbook.
Am I required to study in every study period with this layer?
Yes. To complete this program in the 1-year, part-time enrolment pattern, you must study in all three trimesters. EDU4160 is only offered in Trimester 3.
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.
What makes the new calendar layer for my program better?
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 on results release for the teaching period.
Will I have to do any courses in different academic calendar?
All early childhood postgraduate courses for the Graduate Certificate of Early Childhood Education and Care will be offered in trimesters.
I am a current student, what does this change mean for my program?
We anticipate there will be minimal changes to your enrolment pattern. In 2024, current courses will be offered in the matching trimesters – for example, if a course was previously offered in semester 1, it will be offered in trimester 1. You will therefore 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.