What are the Academic Calendar changes to BURP in 2024?
Updated
What calendar layer will the program be using for 2024 intakes?
In 2024 the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) program will follow the Trimester Academic Calendar.
A Trimester is a study period that occurs three times during the year. Each Trimester is of equal length (14 weeks) and includes a 2-week flexible learning period (these are weeks that contain no new teaching content, but there is an expectation that students will still be engaged with other aspects of study, which may include catching up, revision, and assessment progression/submission).
The first Trimester study period for the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) degree starts in January 2024.
Visit the Academic Calendar and Important Dates page for more information on key dates or to download a copy of the Trimester Calendar.
When can I start my program? Can I start in any study period?
You can apply to start the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) program in Trimester 1 (January), Trimester 2 (May) or Trimester 3 (September).
Please Note: While you may start in any trimester, you will be able to progress through your program more quickly if you begin in Trimester 1 as course offerings have been designed to enable accelerated progression for the Trimester 1 entry.
Are all courses taught in each study period?
Not all courses are offered in every study period.
Recommended enrolment patterns are provided in the program handbook. These patterns have been developed to build your foundational knowledge and ensures you meet pre-requisite requirements when completing subsequent courses.
When will the 2024 Handbook be available?
The handbook will be released prior to enrolment opening for 2024 courses.
Can I accelerate my program and finish my degree quicker?
Yes! If you apply to start Trimester 1, you will be able to progress through your program more quickly as course offerings have been designed to enable accelerated progression for the Trimester 1 entry.
If you are studying part-time you will find options to distribute your study load more evenly throughout the year, and possibly study more than 2-4 courses per year if desired. However, this is subject to course offerings, enrolment requisites and program rules.
If you require any assistance with your enrolment, please visit the enrolment website or contact iconnect.
Am I required to study in every study period with this layer?
No! There is no obligation to study in all three trimesters.
A part-time pathway is available if you want to do fewer courses across the year. This might help you to balance work, study, family, and other commitments.
If you are considering full or part time study, an international student, or receiving Centrelink benefits you can access more information on full-time study.
What makes the new calendar layer for my program better?
The Trimester calendar offers a great deal of flexibility to allow you to speed up or slow down your studies. It also allows you to study in all three trimesters in a calendar year and still have a break (approx. 6 weeks) in your studies over the end of year holiday period.
Will I have to do any courses in another calendar layer?
All core courses in the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) will be offered in trimesters.
Some other Schools, such as Business, Creative Arts and Psychology offer courses in other academic calendars. If you have been given approval to take an elective from another School or Discipline, please check the course specifications in the 2024 UniSQ Handbook for information about the study period in which these courses are offered. Please note, you will need approval from your Program Director to take electives from other Schools/Disciplines.
How do pathway timings match up with entry into this program?
The Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) is offered in the Block calendar. Please see below alignment between completion of TPP and commencing a program being offered in the Trimester calendar:
| Complete TPP | Commence Program taught in Trimesters | ||
| Block 1 2024 | 1 March | Trimester 2 2024 | 13 May |
| Block 2 2024 | 26 April | ||
| Block 3 2024 | 21 June | Trimester 3 2024 | 2 September |
| Block 4 2024 | 16 August | ||
| Block 5 2024 | 11 October | Trimester 1 2025 | 20 January |
| Block 6 2024 | 6 December | ||
If you are a First Nations student and complete the Indigenous Higher Education Pathways Program (IHEPP) you can commence in the following Trimester after completing IHEPP. Please note, IHEPP will be taught in Trimesters 1 and 3 from 2024.
I am a current student, what does this change mean for my program?
There will be a new structure for the Bachelor of Urban and Regional Planning (Honours) in the trimester calendar. However, most surveying and built environment courses that are available in the current Semester calendar will still be available in the new Trimester calendar for this program. Any courses that are discontinued as part of our move to the new Trimester calendar will have alternative courses offered.
You will still be able to complete the program that you started in the current Semester calendar, however there may be changes to when courses are offered in the new Trimester calendar.
Will the School provide more information about my program’s transition into the new academic calendar?
We will email you with further information about your program’s move to the new Academic Calendar prior to enrolments opening for 2024.
Where can I go if I need support?
Find answers online, any time, through Ask UniSQ FAQs, or live chat or connect with the iconnect team, your first point of contact when you need information or support, 7 days a week. The team is also available to answer your queries on-campus in UniSQ Toowoomba, Ipswich and Springfield.