FAQs

UNSW's 3+ calendar was introduced in 2019 with a plan to review within five years. Following the review, the Academic Calendar project was launched to establish a calendar suitable for the future of UNSW. We are not pre-empting what the calendar will look like, and we are inviting you to help us consider what will work for UNSW moving forward.

Changes to the academic calendar will likely take effect from the 2027 academic year. 

This timing will allow for consultation with the UNSW community, and any required updates to systems and resources.  

Meeting the needs of students, improving the student experience and ensuring we continue to deliver on strong graduate outcomes remain our absolute priorities. While any changes to the academic calendar will likely take effect from the 2027 academic year, every effort will made to ensure that continuing students will progress and graduate in their planned timeframe.

UNSW’s review of the 3+ calendar identified some specific pain points for both students and staff. While work and consultation is underway on designing the academic calendar, a range of initiatives are being introduced, piloted or explored to help alleviate some pressure in the immediate and short term.  

Initiatives include: review of teaching staff workloads and additional teaching resources; optimisation of existing workspaces and adjustments to accommodate teaching requirements; pilots for new assessment approaches; simplification of the Special Consideration process; and simplification of programs where appropriate.    

The proposed 2027 implementation timetable will allow for comprehensive consultation with stakeholders and any system and resource updates to be made.