Resources

Papers on the Trimester System at Western Sydney University

Green Paper: Academic Year Review (opens in a new window) (PDF, 904Kb)
This paper looks at the ways in which Universities in Australia, the UK and the USA have addressed the possibility of adopting a trimester system and some of the opportunities and challenges they have identified. This paper also considers how Western Sydney University is positioned to take advantage of opportunities for restructuring its academic year by learning from the experience of other universities. In addition to documentary evidence on the design and implementation of a trimester system in different institutions, the paper also draws on the experience of key stakeholders, in particular, the experience and response of students.

Synopsis of the Green Paper: Academic Year Review (opens in a new window) (PDF, 384Kb)
This paper presents a synopsis of the various case studies examined in detail in the Green Paper outlining the broader issues and recommendations arising from the review.

External websites and resources

Australian Universities Implementing a Trimester System

Bond University Semester (opens in a new window)
Describes how Bond University is the only Australian university which offers trimesters in each academic year, enabling direct enrolment in the program, either in the fall, spring, or summer each year.

Insiders' Guide @ UNE: Trimesters (opens in a new window)
A blog in which participants discuss the merits and pitfalls of moving to a trimester system at UNE.

Ask UNE: Benefits of Trimesters (opens in a new window)
An online forum. Describes the benefits of trimester study for students.

Storm Brews on Trimesters (opens in a new window)
News bulletin from 2008 in The Australian describing how the National Tertiary Education Union, in an era of change among universities, objected to the move to trimesters at Deakin University.

Call to End Trimester System at Deakin (opens in a new window)
News bulletin from 2010 in The Warrnambool Standard describing how academics at Deakin University were calling on new Vice-Chancellor Jane den Hollander to ditch the struggling trimester system and how the Deputy Vice-Chancellor responded.

Mixed Views on Deakin University's Trimester System (opens in a new window)
News bulletin from 2011 in The Australian describing how an independent review of Deakin University's trimester system criticised its implementation and noted that so far it has benefited only a few students and staff.

The Trimester System at Deakin University (opens in a new window)
This website describes what trimesters are, how the trimester system works, and what the main advantages of the system are.

The Trimester System at Deakin University (opens in a new window)
This website describes how the trimester system functions at Deakin University. It details the number of weeks in each trimester, including the swot-vac or revision week, and how the system provides a number of new choices for students. There is a link to a calendar providing trimester dates for the 2012–2013 academic year.

Flexible Learning Options at Murdoch University (opens in a new window)
Describes how courses are available in a variety of study modes including trimester study so that students can complete their study sooner. Because the year is broken up into three teaching sessions instead of two, students have the ability to take more units over the year, which essentially fast tracks their program.

2012 Calendar at Murdoch University (opens in a new window)
Provides a calendar for the 2012 academic year including dates for trimesters.

The Trimester Calendar at the University of Newcastle (opens in a new window)
Provides a detailed calendar for 2012 including the dates trimesters commence and conclude, stuvac (study vacation) and examinations. There are also links to the trimester calendar for 2013 and archived years.

Academic Calendar (Trimester-Based) 2013, University of the Sunshine Coast (opens in a new window)
Provides a detailed calendar for 2013 including orientation, the dates classes commence and end and the examination periods.

2012 Important Dates: Curtin University (opens in a new window)
Provides a calendar for the 2012 academic year including dates for trimesters.

The Trimester System and Flexible Delivery

Three-Semester System Favoured by Growing Number of Universities (opens in a new window)
This 2003 article describes how a growing number of universities across Australia are considering switching to either a four-term or "three semester" year to maximise their physical resources, allow their undergraduates to reduce the time normally taken to complete a degree, and as an added attraction to foreign students.

Flexible Delivery in Business Schools: A Winning Strategy or Pandora's Box? (opens in a new window)
This 2007 paper explores unintended consequences of flexible delivery for the teaching and learning environment through an occupational case study of academics in Australian universities.

US Higher Education in Transition (opens in a new window)
American higher education is undergoing substantial change in terms of the way colleges and universities are organized and function. This change is being driven by the combined forces of demographics, globalization, economic restructuring, and information technology – forces that will, over the coming decade, lead us to adopt new conceptions of educational markets, organizational structures, how we teach, and what we teach. This 2003 article describes these forces and speculates on their effects on higher education in the USA and other industrialized nations.

Alternate Academic Calendars and the Trimester System: Profiles and Compliance (opens in a new window)
A 2010 report from the Hanover Research Council which examines the trends and practices behind the trimester and other academic calendar units in American Colleges and Universities then details the advantages and disadvantages of different academic calendars.