What are the Academic Calendar changes to BART, DART, BAHN, BCNM, DAPC, and DAPP in 2024?
Updated
What calendar layer will the programs be using for 2024 intakes?
In 2024 the following programs will follow the Trimester Academic Calendar:
- Diploma of Professional Communication
- Diploma of Professional Photography
- Diploma of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Arts (Honours)
- Bachelor of Communication and Media
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 the undergraduate programs listed above start 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?
You can apply to start the Diploma of Professional Communication, Diploma of Professional Photography, Diploma of Arts, Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) and Bachelor of Communication and Media programs 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?
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.
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 quicker?
Yes, the flexibility of the new calendar design means that, in some instances, it will be possible to study more courses to accelerate progression. However, this is subject to course offerings and program rules.
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 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, as 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.
Will I have to do any courses in another calendar layer?
In 2024, courses in the following Humanities and Communications programs and Media programs majors will be offered in semesters:
Bachelor of Arts majors
- Drama
- Music
- Visual Arts Curation
Bachelor of Communication and Media majors
- Digital Media
- Documentary Production
From 2025, these courses will move into trimesters.
Some other Schools, such as Business, Creative Arts and Psychology offer courses in other academic calendar layers. If you have been given approval to study a second major outside of your Arts program, or if you want to take a minor or electives from other Schools, please check the course specifications in the 2024 UniSQ Handbook for information about the study period in which these courses are offered.
All core courses in your Arts programs and courses in all other Arts program majors will be offered in trimesters in 2024.
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 my program?
In 2024, you may need to study some of your courses in the semester academic calendar if you are planning on taking courses from:
- the Bachelor of Arts majors of Drama, Music or Visual Arts Curation majors
- the Bachelor of Communication majors of Media Digital Media or Documentary Production majors.
We recommend that you review the program handbook and plan your enrolments for 2024 with an awareness of which courses are offered in semesters and which are offered in trimesters. If you require any assistance with your enrolment, please visit the enrolment website or contact iconnect.
Will the School provide more information about my program’s transition into the new academic calendar?
Yes, information about your program’s transition into the new academic calendar will be provided prior to enrolments opening for 2024. Please visit your program hub:
- Bachelor of Arts Community HUB
- Bachelor of Communication and Media Community HUB
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.