The University of New South Wales (UNSW) has decided to discontinue its trimester system and revert to the traditional semester system. This change comes in response to student feedback indicating a preference for longer, more in-depth learning periods. The university's strategic goal is to better prepare students for the workforce in an increasingly automated environment, prioritizing deeper learning experiences.
While the initial introduction of the trimester system was met with controversy, the university reports high demand from both domestic and international students. UNSW's decision aims to improve student experience and enhance learning outcomes in line with their strategic goals for student success.
The overhaul aligns with the university’s strategy, which has the stated purpose of progress for all and ensuring their degrees set them up for success in an increasingly automated world where artificial intelligence can perform routine tasks.
“How do I make sure my undergraduates are AI-proofed? The bulk the undergraduate students and bulk of the postgraduates, what they really want, particularly in today’s world, is longer, deeper learning time,” Brungs said.
While the decision to introduce trimesters caused a furore more than five years ago, Brungs said demand during that time has never been higher from both domestic and international students. The university has topped the Financial Review’s league tables for employability.
Grace Spiteri, 20, said she would prefer going back to semesters as there was only a two-week break between terms at the moment.
“You don’t get much of a breathing period before you have to go back to another class,” she said.
“I would prefer we go back because a lot of my high school friends and other friends are at UTS and they have the full term, our breaks never line up.”
Sofia Miranda, 19, said she did not mind trimesters but said the workload could be immense.
“The workload tends to be really big, especially the amount of reading we have to do,” she said.
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