What are the Academic Calendar changes to MEDC, MEDF, GDED, GDEF, GCEF, GCEE, GCEG, and GCTS in 2024?
Updated
What calendar layer will the programs be using for 2024 intakes?
In 2024, the following postgraduate education programs will be offered in the trimester academic calendar:
- Master of Education (MEDC or MEDF)
- Graduate Diploma of Education (GDED or GDEF)
- Graduate Certificate of Education (GCEF)
- Graduate Certificate of Education (Special Education) (GCEE)
- Graduate Certificate of Education (Guidance and Counselling) (GCEG)
- Graduate Certificate of Education (TESOL) (GCTS)
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).
From 2025, the Master of Education suite of programs (including nested programs: MEDC, MEDF, GDEF, GCEF, GCEE, GCEG, GCTS) will use the Block Academic Calendar.
A Block is a shorter study period that incorporates 6 weeks of teaching and an optional 7th week for assessment. There are 6 Blocks periods in an academic calendar year.
Visit the Academic Calendar and Important Dates page for more information on key dates or to download a copy of the Trimester Calendar for 2024.
When can I start my program?
In 2024, you can apply to start the Master of Education (MEDC or MEDF), Graduate Diploma of Education (GDED or GDEF), and Graduate Certificate of Education (GCEF) in any trimester: Trimester 1 (January), Trimester 2 (May) or Trimester 3 (September).
In 2024, you can apply start the Graduate Certificates of Education (Special Education (GCEE), Guidance and Counselling (GCEG), and TESOL (GCTS)) in Trimesters 1 (January) or 2 (May) only.
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 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.
There is the flexibility to undertake optional courses that have professional experience placements in, for example, Guidance and Counselling specialisation, and in the Special and Inclusive Education specialisation.
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 your start date is not delayed and/or negotiate your Professional Experience dates with the Professional Experience Office.
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, these postgraduate programs can be completed in an accelerated pattern (depending on course offerings and enrolment requisites).
You may have more options for your program progression by studying across all three trimesters or when the Calendar layers changes in 2025, studying in all Blocks. This is, however, subject to course availability, professional experience placements and the 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 all three trimesters.
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.
What makes the new calendar layer for my program better?
The Trimester calendar offers a great deal of flexibility to allow you to speed up or slow down your studies. It also 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.
The block layer will improve the accessibility of courses from 2025 onwards.
Will I have to do any courses in another academic calendar?
All core courses will be offered in trimesters for this program in 2024. They will then be offered in Blocks from 2025.
Some other disciplines offer courses in other academic calendars. If you plan to take an elective from another School or Discipline, please check the course specifications in the 2024 UniSQ Handbook for information about the study period in which these courses are offered.
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 for your core courses in these programs.
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.