What are the Academic Calendar changes to BENH in 2024?
Updated
What calendar layer will the program be using for 2024 intakes?
In 2024 the Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) will follow the Trimester 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 first Trimester study period for this undergraduate engineering program 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 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) 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?
From 2024, all first-year courses will be offered in all trimesters.
In 2024, courses normally associated with years 2, 3 and 4 in the undergraduate engineering programs will only be offered in Trimester 1 and Trimester 2, with limited additional courses offered in Trimester 3.
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?
Students wishing to complete their degree faster will have more options for accelerated progression by studying across all three trimesters, subject to course availability and the program rules.
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?
ENP1101 Student Engineer Induction will be offered in the Block Academic Calendar in Block 1 (January), Block 3 (May) and Block 5 (September). A Block is a shorter study period that typically runs for 6-7 weeks. It incorporates 6 weeks of teaching, and a 7th week for assessment.
ENP4111 Professional Engineering Research Project (a new version of ENG4111 and ENG4112) will be offered as a 2-credit point course in the Year-long Academic Calendar. A Year-long study period is equivalent in length to three trimesters.
All other courses will be offered in the trimester academic calendar.
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 an engineering 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 | ||
I am a current student, what does this change mean for my program?
Current second-year, third-year, and fourth-year 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 in 2024.
A new suite of first year courses will be offered for the first time in 2024. At the beginning of this year (2023), all first-year students were sent a communication about the changes to first year in 2024, along with instructions about which course to enrol in for 2023. If you did not receive this communication or have further questions about your first-year course enrolments in 2024 then please contact the Program Director (Undergraduate Engineering).
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.
What does this mean for the assessment in my courses?
Students commencing their first year in 2024 will see smaller microlearning assessments (more often) and larger assessments will be associated with project work in project courses.
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.