Traversing Trimesters

UNSW operates on a trimester system with 10 weeks in a term and a one week break in Week 6. This break is also known as ‘Flexi Week’ and it is the perfect time to relax since there are no lectures or tutorials. Although the break is short, the trimester system allows you to finish your degree faster and have more flexibility in the number of courses to take per term.

There are also two key academic dates that you should take note of:

1. Census date:This is the last day to apply for Commonwealth Assistance and, more importantly, to withdraw from a course without financial liability. If you choose to withdraw from a course after midnight on the census date, you will be financially liable for the course.

2. Sunday of Week 6 (For astandard term):

Choosing to withdraw from a course at this time will make you financially liable for the course. However there will not be an academic penalty until after this deadline. The academic penalty will be reflected in your academic transcript, but not your WAM.

UNSW Academic Calendar