Creating an academic calendar for the future
Our vision
is to create an academic calendar for UNSW that builds on the strengths of the current model while addressing its challenges and anticipating future needs.
Our objective
is to create a calendar that seamlessly adapts to the evolving landscape of higher education. We aim to uphold enhanced flexibility and campus use, while ensuring sustainable workloads, manageable learning paces, and heightened social connections.
Our strategy
is centred on achieving a well-rounded calendar design that optimises the academic journey for all stakeholders, nurturing student success, supporting staff wellbeing, and upholding institutional excellence.
What is happening?
UNSW operates on a total of 16 academic calendars, with most programs following the 3+ Academic Calendar structure. This structure includes three 10-week terms and a five-week intensive summer session.
The goal of the Academic Calendar Project is to create and implement a customised calendar that maintains the beneficial features of the current calendar while addressing areas of concern and creating flexibility for future needs.
Project timeline:
Our aim
Through engagement with staff, students and partners, we will shape a new Academic Calendar that will be:
- Innovative, flexible and future fit: Design a calendar that adapts to the evolving higher education landscape, incorporating new teaching methods, technologies, and trends to remain relevant and forward-thinking.
- Sustainable and inclusive: Create a calendar that balances academic demands with the wellbeing of students and staff, ensuring it is manageable, equitable and supports a healthy work-life balance.
- Student-centric: Ensure the calendar prioritises the needs and success of students, providing sufficient time for learning, reflection and extracurricular activities.
- Staff-friendly: Develop a calendar that supports the professional needs and schedules of faculty and staff, facilitating effective teaching, research and administrative work.
- Effective in managing time: Allocate time efficiently for academic terms, exams, breaks and critical university events to optimise productivity and engagement.
- Supportive of institutional goals: Align the calendar with the University’s strategic objectives, including financial sustainability, academic excellence and community engagement.
- Compliant and accredited: Ensure the calendar meets regulatory requirements and standards for accreditation, maintaining the institution’s reputation and credibility.