General FAQs

With extensive input from the UNSW community, the University has decided to adopt an academic calendar to meet the changing needs of students, staff, and the broader education landscape. 

The flex-semester calendar will replace the current 3+ calendar in 2028. 

The key features include: 

• two core semesters, with 12 weeks of teaching, plus a 1-week mid-semester break.
• optional six-week summer and winter terms for intensive or catch-up courses and accelerated study. 
• embedded six-week teaching periods within the two core semesters, offering greater flexibility in course design and delivery.

UNSW Online will continue to operate an independent six-term (hexamester) calendar for our Lifelong Learning offering.

The flex-semester calendar will commence in 2028. Implementation is underway to ensure a coordinated transition that aligns with broader University priorities, including curriculum, system and process updates.

The education landscape has evolved significantly over the past seven years. To align with the UNSW Strategy: Progress for All, UNSW is moving to a calendar that supports flexibility, accessibility, and lifelong learning.

The flex-semester model enables a richer student experience, stronger alignment with workforce and industry needs, and more sustainable operations.

Over 7,000 students and staff contributed to a comprehensive consultation and evaluation process.
Several calendar options were assessed against factors including:

• Learning outcomes
• Student and staff experience
• Financial sustainability
• Operational feasibility

After detailed analysis, the flex-semester model was recommended by University Leadership Team and endorsed by UNSW Council for 2028 launch.

The mid-semester and winter breaks will improve upon UNSW's calendar alignment to NSW public school holidays.

We understand that 2028 calendar dates are a priority for our partners and prospective students, and these will be made available publicly at the same time as 2027 calendar dates.

You can share feedback, comments or questions via the feedback form on the project website.

The University is committed to supporting staff throughout the transition to the flex-semester calendar. This change is being guided by a collaborative project delivery model that prioritises:

• Localised support tailored to divisional and faculty needs
• Two-way communication to ensure consistent feedback and transparency
• University-wide coordination to align efforts and share expertise

Ongoing consultation with key stakeholders continues to help shape appropriate sequencing, timelines, and resourcing for the transition period. Further details will be shared by your local leaders as planning progresses, with opportunities for staff to engage and contribute throughout.

Several activities outside the scope of the Academic Calendar Project are in progress or in planning stages to help address issues around workload as well as approach to teaching and learning. These include:

• Assessment transformation and reduction
• Future campus planning
• Process and system improvements, including the workload model review, special considerations uplift and admissions transformation.

Both cohorts have been considered in the planning process to understand unique impacts and requirements resulting from the flex-semester calendar structure.

The Academic Calendar Project Team will continue to consult with faculty representatives to address these impacts. Staff are encouraged to share feedback or comments via their faculty executive or get in touch via our website.

Existing workload policies for Education Focused (EF) and Teaching & Research (T&R) staff will remain unchanged. Faculties and schools will work closely with staff to plan workforce needs within the scope of the enterprise agreement and the flex-semester calendar structure.

For professional staff, workloads are expected to be more evenly distributed across the year, with improved turnaround times between core semesters and fewer peak periods.

The Academic Calendar Project team is working in partnership with divisions and faculties to manage changes to volume, operational cadence, and processes, ensuring a smooth transition and sustainable workload practices.

For UNSW staff, you can visit the Flex-Semester Transition SharePoint to find out more. 

If you have any other feedback, questions or comments for the Academic Calendar Project team, please get in touch via our website.