Staff Update FAQs

The University Leadership Team will make a final decision on which calendar model we will pursue in early 2025. The timeframe for implementation will depend on which calendar model is adopted. Both options will require updates to systems, processes and resources which will take time. If the proposed trimester model is adopted the new calendar should be in place by the start of 2027. If the proposed semester model is adopted, the aim will be for a 2028 start as it is a larger transformation.

We have reviewed over twenty different calendar models, including the different models we already deploy across the University and those at UNSW Canberra. We have worked with a range of different working groups to narrow them down to the best two choices based on the key considerations set for this project. No one model will meet every concern of every staff member but importantly, we need to be looking forward, and both calendar options position us for the future as higher education continues to evolve.

Please see the model concepts here that were shown during the All Staff update, one model with 3 main teaching periods, and one model with 2 main teaching periods. Note the exact details may be refined once the preferred model for UNSW is chosen. Both vary from our current 3+ academic calendar and from the semester calendar UNSW had prior to 2019. These differences are outlined in the table here.

We are continuing to investigate the workload impacts of both calendar options. Part of our consideration process is to ensure we have fair and equitable workloads across our entire staff body. The academic calendar impacts all our staff in different ways and we are looking at each area, across both academic and professional staff cohorts, to arrive at an outcome that best supports everyone. Importantly, the academic calendar is just one factor in staff workloads, and a range of additional resources have been deployed to address pressure points, and will be further developed regardless of the model chosen.

We have consulted widely during both the review process and in developing and reviewing calendar options, through focus groups and different advisory groups from across the University. This process is ongoing. You can see both draft calendar models here. We also encourage staff and students who have feedback on the two calendar options to provide this by completing the feedback form on our Academic Calendar website before Friday 7 February 2025.

We recognise the importance of Work Integrated Learning for our students. Whichever option we pursue, we will be refining to ensure they can take advantage of these opportunities. Our enrolments remain very strong and while some may consider the academic calendars at other institutions as a factor in deciding which university to attend, there are many other reasons why they would consider UNSW over others. Our first preference rates support this with an increase in recent years.

Meeting the needs of students, improving the student experience and ensuring we continue to deliver on strong graduate outcomes remain our absolute priorities. During implementation of the new calendar, every effort will made to ensure that continuing students will progress and graduate in their planned timeframe.

Space constraints and the best ways to accommodate our students now and into the future are important considerations for the Academic Calendar. There are a number of options that are being looked at including re-designed learning, summer uplift and hybrid courses. Online learning is part of this mix. Additionally, our Future Campus Project is looking at our future space needs, how we optimise the use of our campus, including for teaching, and how we position ourselves for growth to meet the future anticipated demand from domestic students.

We are looking carefully at the impacts of exam periods on both students and staff in both models, including for those students on Equitable Learning Plans to ensure they are accommodated. More broadly, through the Student Experience Program's 'Assessment and Feedback' workstream we are looking at how we assess our students and assure program learning outcomes, and where we can have more flexibility in what assessments look like. Overall, we are specifically looking to decrease our dependency on exams. Over time this means we will need less space for exams, less time to study for exams and the burden of marking in a compressed timeframe will be reduced.

There are many costs associated with changing an academic calendar. The University is currently working through costs for both calendar options, including potential ongoing costs. In addition to the costs, several other factors will be considered in deciding which calendar to pursue. These factors include staff and student wellbeing and flexibility, pedagogy, campus requirements now and into the future, the University’s strategic priorities, the broader macro-environment and changes to higher education policy, and the potential impact these challenges might have on the funding of projects across the University, including changes to the Academic Calendar.

The University Leadership Team will review all the decision factors and make a recommendation for discussion and endorsement by the University Council.

The mapping and research completed by the Academic Calendar Project has provided a comprehensive and holistic analysis of the benefits and challenges of each calendar model in addressing the strategic goals of UNSW's future calendar (see homepage for more information on the strategic goals). Built on feedback and data from many years, providing both quantitative and qualitative information, the detailed analysis will allow the Leadership team to make their recommendations based on the full range of considerations.

We have consulted with different cohorts across the University including individual faculties and will continue to refine the options to ensure our calendar supports the needs of the majority. No one calendar will deliver on every ask but, alongside the University's significant investment in resourcing and other programs, we are confident most Issues and concerns will be addressed.

While the proposed legislation for the introduction of international student caps will not go ahead early next year, it highlights the broader pressure on us to manage international student numbers very carefully, which we are taking very seriously. What is challenging is the uncertainty around potential future legislation and what this might look like.

Both calendar options will require updates to our IT systems and processes which will take time. If the proposed semester model is adopted, it will be a larger transformation and require more time and resource to implement. We are however taking a holistic look at all implications, not just technology, including impact over time and on-going costs, and very importantly the need to be future focused.