Academic Calendar Refresh – staff FAQs

The move to trimesters (the 3+3+3 model), brings JCU in line with the majority of universities in Australia and overseas - increasing our competitiveness in a crowded higher education market. The change also aligns JCU Australia, JCU Singapore and JCU Brisbane, which increases opportunities for shared study experiences.

The flexibility allowed by trimesters means students can better manage their study and structure their own degree progression, and options to accelerate their degree.

The January-December Trimester model presents new opportunities. Based on student data trends it is evident that many students undertake part-time loads (usually 3 subjects per semester) due to a variety of circumstances.

JCU also celebrates the diversity in our student demographic including low SES, first in family and adult students returning to study. The January-December trimester aligns with the Queensland school year, provides a two week break in the middle of the year for school holidays, permits additional entry points across the year with carousels, and permits a break at Christmas time across all campuses.

The trimester model aligns with university calendars in the Northern Hemisphere, providing additional opportunities for international students such as student exchange or study abroad programs.

Some JCUA courses are already taught in trimester mode, such as undergraduate and postgraduate Business, Commerce, Tourism, and IT courses.

All new course proposals should presume a trimester architecture. Exceptions to trimesters must be approved by University Executive.

Courses delivered in Trimesters only include:

Courses delivered through a combination of Trimester and Semesters include:

Some courses may apply for approval to operate a different calendar. However, the trimester model is expected to be adopted by the majority of courses and for the majority of student load.

Where current students are to be impacted by trimester implementation, Deans and Course Coordinators will reach out and staff and students will be supported in the event that some subjects are offered in both trimester and semester formats during the overlap/transition period.

A carousel is a short-form study period consisting of a six-or seven-week period of teaching followed by assessment and marking. There are six carousels in each academic year, closely aligned to trimester start and end dates. It is possible that some courses may be taught in-part or entirely as carousels.

Some courses are already using or considering the carousel model in their structure. For example, several postgraduate courses and undergraduate Education subjects are using carousels. JCUB is trialling a late 2023 intake using carousels and is modelling this relative to its student intake data and staffing allocation.

End of study period examinations are not permitted in carousels unless required by a regulatory body.

The March, July, and November carousels permit routine intake periods for international students, which provides JCU with a possible six entry points (although this is discipline specific).  These intakes will be course and location specific.