What are the Academic Calendar changes to BPSH in 2024?
Updated
What calendar layer will the program be using for 2024 intakes?
In 2024 the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) program will follow the Trimester Academic Calendar, while the thesis component of the program will be studied in the Year-long 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 Year-long study period in this program will begin at the same time as trimester 1 and will extend into the third trimester.
The first Trimester study period for the Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) degree 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?
You can apply to start 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.
Am I required to study in every study period with this layer?
If you are full time and in your first three years of study, then there is no obligation to study in all three trimesters.
If you are full time in your fourth year of study, then you will need to study in all three trimesters because the thesis course extends into trimester 3.
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.
Will I have to do any courses in another calendar layer?
The Bachelor of Psychology (Honours) runs in two academic calendars. Core courses follow the trimester academic calendar, while the thesis follows the year-long academic calendar. You take this thesis course in the final year of the program. The thesis course must be started at the beginning of year, in alignment with the start of trimester 1 and will extend into the third trimester.
Some other Schools, such as Business and Creative Arts offer courses in other academic calendar layers. 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.
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?
We anticipate there will be minimal changes to your enrolment pattern. In 2024 you will enrol in trimesters for each of your core psychology courses. If you need to complete your research thesis, you will undertake this course in the Year-long Calendar, enrolling at the beginning of year, in alignment with the start of Trimester 1.
Will the School provide more information about my program’s transition into the new academic calendar?
To provide you with information about your program’s move to the new Academic Calendar prior to enrolments opening for 2024, there will be an information session delivered by the Program Director, with a recording available on the Program Hub. We will notify you about when this will information session will be held via a message on the Program 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.