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Trimester System
As part of the University’s continuous endeavour for academic excellence and an enhanced student experience, we are pleased to announce the approval by the Ministry of Education’s Commission of Academic Accreditation (CAA) of UOWD Trimester System starting from 2021.
The objective of the change to a Trimester Model is to enhance the existing Semester model to provide three balanced teaching periods.
Many institutions around the world (including some of the world’s leading universities) operate a trimester, quarter, or three-term academic calendar. The University of Wollongong in Australia operates both trimester and semester calendars in Wollongong.
The University is currently using a Semester model that include two 13-week regular semesters (autumn and spring) and a 7-week summer semester.
The Trimester model divides the academic calendar into three balanced teaching terms (Autumn, Winter and Spring) each of which composed of 11 weeks of teaching, an exam week and at least two weeks of break between any two consecutive trimesters.
There are several additional benefits of this system including:
- Trimesters provide flexibility: the normal study load of the academic year is now evenly spread over 3 semesters, enabling deeper learning while still completing a normal overall annual study load.
- Trimesters are optimal for current students: academic progress towards completion is not affected and graduation will proceed in the same manner.
- No change to subjects: in terms of content, volume of learning and the corresponding number of contact hours per subject (assessments will simply be optimised for a Trimester-length delivery).
- New Flexible Timetabling: fewer days on campus for student opting to pursue internships, work experience, or other work-integrated learning opportunities.
- Enhanced provision for Summer Leave for students: 11 eleven weeks between the last day of the T3 Spring and the first day of the T1 Autumn.
- Summer Leave opportunities: Trimesters will allow time for internships, study abroad at UOW Australia and placements in reputed international universities.
- A Summer School: a 5-week intensive Summer will still be available, but exceptionally so and limited to one subject required for a student’s progression, and which cannot wait until any subsequent trimester.
The regular 3 trimesters (Autumn, Winter and Spring) start as follows:
- Autumn trimester (T1) starts 3rd week of September.
- Winter trimester (T2) starts in 2nd week of January.
- Spring trimester (T3) starts in 3rd week of April.
The optional Summer School starts in 3rd week of July.
For the academic calendar dates, please refer to MyUOWD.
The recommended full-time load for students (Undergraduate and Postgraduate) is up to three subjects during the regular trimesters but only one subject during the Summer school.
The regular trimesters will allow students to complete up to nine subjects a year and in addition, if needed for progression, students can take up to one extra subject in the summer school.
No change to Tuition fees – Fees will remain the same with the cost being distributed evenly throughout the year.
The cost per subject remains the same, ensuring that there is no additional strain on students. Students, as usual, only need to pay for the subjects that they are enrolled in during a trimester, meaning the cost will be spread out throughout the year, instead of the current financial blocks in Spring and Autumn. UOWD still has traditional payment plans in place to assist students, but this will make it easier upon students and parents alike.
If you are about to start your last trimester and have four subjects remaining before graduation, and would like to do it together, you can apply for Special Consideration through your respective faculty office.
Each Faculty is offering subjects as per the regular sequencing to ensure the progress of students as planned.
The Academic Calendar and subjects offering list will be released beforehand so that students can plan ahead.
Assessments tasks in each subject will be optimised for a Trimester-length delivery.
The reduction in the number of concurrent subjects taken by students will inevitably reduce the number of assessments/examinations taking place in any one trimester.
No. The Summer school is optional and will be utilised for students who need a subject for progression requirements. The majority of students will have an 11-week break between the end of Spring trimester and the beginning of the Autumn trimester.
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