Here you can find information about the UNSW 3+ Academic Calendar for inbound students from overseas institutions to study at UNSW Sydney.
Our innovative calendar makes it easy for you to plan your studies to suit your academic needs and your timeframe. We have three standard terms as well as a Summer (January) term and a Winter (August) term. So, you can choose between a Standard Term, a Tailored Term, a Double Term or one of our year-long options.
You have the flexibility to build your Study Abroad or Exchange program based on the number of credits you need to transfer back to your home institution. The full time academic load at UNSW is 48 UNSW credits (60 ECTS) per year, which is usually taken over 8 courses.
For semester-based programs, you have the choice of 18 UNSW credits (3 courses, 22.5 ECTS) over a standard Term, or 24 UNSW credits (4 course, 30 ECTS) over a Tailored Term. With your home institution’s agreement, you may also be able to take a unique 6 course option (45 ECTS).
To start planning your Study Abroad or Exchange we recommend you determine the number of courses you need to take and the duration of your UNSW Study. The number of terms and therefore the length of your stay at UNSW is your study plan.
How many courses do you wish to study?
I would like to study 3 courses (18 UNSW Credits, 22.5 ECTS)
You can choose from either:
- Term 1 study plan - February to May
- Term 2 study plan – June to August (Study Abroad only)
- Term 3 study plan - September to December
I would like to study 4 courses (24 UNSW credits, 30 ECTS)
You have the choice of four options:
- Tailored Term 1 study plan - January to May
- Term 1 + Term 2 study plan - February to September (Exchange only)
- Tailored Term 3 study plan - August to December
- Term 3 + Summer Term study plan - September to February
I would like to study 6 courses (36 UNSW Credits, 45 ECTS)
You can choose to enrol in:
- Term 1 + Term 2 study plan - February to September (Study Abroad only)
- Term 2 + Term 3 study plan – June to December (Study Abroad only)
- Term 3 + Term 1 study plan - September to May
I would like to study 8 courses (48 UNSW Credits, 60 ECTS)
You have the option to take:
- Term 1 + Term 2 + Term 3 study plan - February to December
- Term 2 + Term 3 + Term 1 study plan – June to May (Study Abroad only)
- Term 3 + Term 1 + Term 2 study plan - September to August
- Tailored Term 3 + Tailored Term 1 study plan - August to May
Study plan term dates
Summer (January) Term
| YEAR | 2022 | 2023 |
| Term Start | 4 Jan | 3 Jan |
| Exams End | 7 Feb | 7 Feb |
Term 1
| YEAR | 2022 | 2023 |
| Term Start | 14 Feb | 13 Feb |
| Exams End | 12 May | 11 May |
Term 2
| YEAR | 2022 | 2023 |
| Term Start | 30 May | 29 May |
| Exams End | 25 Aug | 24 Aug |
Winter (August) Term
| YEAR | 2022 | 2023 |
| Term Start | 15 Aug | 14 Aug |
| Exams End | 9 Sep | 8 Sep |
Term 3
| YEAR | 2022 | 2023 |
| Term Start | 12 Sep | 11 Sep |
| Exams End | 8 Dec | 7 Dec |
Orientation
Our compulsory International Student Welcome orientation is held in the week before the start of term for all incoming Study Abroad and Exchange Students. Students commencing in the Summer or Winter Terms only need to attend the orientation in those terms.
2023 International Student Welcome
- Summer Term: 3 January
- Term 1: 6 February
- Winter Term: 10 August (TBC)
- Term 3: 4 September
Exams
The Exams end date is the last date of exams for that period. Students should ensure that they are available for the entire exam period as the final exam timetable is only released halfway through the term.
Next Steps
Your next step is to seek nomination from your home university if you are an Exchange student, or to apply as a Study Abroad student to UNSW by the relevant deadline.