What are the Academic Calendar changes to BRBZ, BALW, BASC, and BASP in 2024?
Updated
What calendar layer will the programs be using for 2024 intakes?
In 2024 the Bachelor of Arts double degrees in the following programs will follow the Trimester Academic Calendar:
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (BALW)
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business (BRBZ)
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science (BASC)
- Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science (Psychology) (BASP).
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 Bachelor of Arts double degrees 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? Can I start in any study period?
For the undergraduate Bachelor of Arts double degrees, 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 ensure 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.
UniSQ offers many flexible ways to study. You have the option of slowing down and completing your degree part-time by doing a minimum of one course in a trimester, or you can speed it up and do as many as four courses in a trimester.
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.
Will I have to do any courses in another calendar layer?
In 2024, courses in the following Bachelor of Arts programs majors will be offered in semesters:
- Drama
- Music
- Visual Arts Curation
From 2025, these courses will move into trimesters.
Some other Schools, such as Business, Creative Arts, and Psychology offer courses in other academic calendars. If you want to take a minor or electives from outside your Arts program, please check the course specifications in the 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:
- a continuing Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws double degree student and you are studying courses from Creative Arts,
- taking courses in the Bachelor of Arts (BART) Drama, Music or Visual Arts Curation majors,
- planning to choose a minor from the School of Creative Arts.
If you are a continuing Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws double degree student and you are not studying courses from Creative Arts, you will be excited to know that in 2024 all your courses will be in the same calendar.
Please note, the LAW courses in the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws double degree will move from the interim trimester (2023) to the trimester academic calendar (2024). Courses that were offered in interim trimester 1 in 2023, will be offered in trimester 1, 2024. Courses offered in interim trimester 2 in 2023, will be offered in trimester 2, 2024, etc.
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?
We will email you with further information about your program’s move to the new Academic Calendar prior to enrolments opening for 2024.
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.