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Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) - new academic calendar FAQs

In 2023, UniSQ is introducing an innovative and new Academic Calendar that allows you to better manage your study load and structure your own degree progression to balance work, family, and university commitments.

Understanding the academic calendar

The Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) will be offered in the Block academic calendar in 2023, for all courses except TPP0183 Mathematics Tertiary Preparation 3 which will be delivered in the Semester calendar. 

The Block calendar consists of short 6-8 week study periods that typically includes 6 weeks of teaching, an optional 7th week for assessment and a 1-week study break.

Semester is a study period of equal length occurring twice each year. Typically 17 weeks duration and includes a teaching recess, and final two-week exam period.

Delivery of TPP in the Block calendar offers you greater flexibility, doubling the number of entry points in each year and allowing you to study at a time of year that best suits your life, family and work commitments. You can build an effective pathway that suits your individual end goal. The shorter study blocks mean you can complete the courses you need in a shorter timeframe. 

Because every TPP course is offered at least twice per year, and the most popular courses are offered 5 times in 2023, you have more opportunities to study at a time that best fits in with your schedule.
Not unless you need to study TPP0183 Mathematics Tertiary Preparation 3 for entry to your undergraduate degree.  This course is available in the Semester calendar. 
The Block calendar don't offer any courses from mid-December to mid-January so there'll be plenty of opportunity to have a break from your studies during the holiday period.

Download the TPP academic calendars to view all key dates throughout the 2023 academic year:

You will get breaks between the 8-week Blocks but not within a Block study period.

There is a mid-semester break for the TPP0183 course. 

Download the TPP academic calendars to view all key dates throughout the 2023 academic year:

If other students are studying in a different academic calendar, they may not have breaks at the same time as you.

Key dates

Download the TPP academic calendars to view all key dates throughout the 2023 academic year:

TPP courses commence in Block 2 2023.

Block 2

Date Description
9 January 2023  Class registrations open
15 March 2023  Orientation
20 March 2023 Study period start
20 March 2023  Last date to enrol
28 April 2023  Study period ends

Block 3

Date Description
3 April 2023 Class registrations open
10 May 2023 Orientation
15 May 2023 Study period start
15 May 2023  Last date to enrol
23 June 2023  Study period ends

Block 4

Date Description
3 April 2023 Class registrations open
5 July 2023  Orientation
10 July 2023 Study period start
10 July 2023 Last date to enrol
18 August 2023  Study period ends

Block 5

Date Description
24 July 2023 Class registrations open
30 August 2023 Orientation
4 September 2023 Study period start
4 September 2023 Last date to enrol
13 August 2023  Study period ends

Block 6

Date Description
24 July 2023 Class registrations open
25 October 2023 Orientation
30 October 2023 Study period start
30 October 2023 Last date to enrol
8 December 2023 Study period ends

 

Key 2023 dates for TPP0183 Tertiary Mathematics Preparation 3.

Semester 1

Date Description
9 January 2023 Class registrations open
13 February 2023 Orientation
20 February 2023 Study period start
3 March 2023 Last date to enrol
16 June 2023 Study period ends

Semester 2

Date Description
29 May 2023 Class registrations open
3 July 2023 Orientation
10 July 2023 Study period start
21 July 2023 Last date to enrol
3 November 2023 Study period ends

You can start:

  • in Block 2 (Mar), Block 3 (May), Block 4 (Jul), Block 5 (Sep) or Block 6 (Oct), or
  • if you are required to study TPP0183 Mathematical Methods it starts in Semester 1 (Feb) or Semester 2 (Jul). 

The following TPP courses are offered in every block from Block 2-6 in 2023:  

  • TPP0111 
  • TPP0122 
  • TPP0123 
  • TPP0180 
  • TPP0181 

The other TPP courses are offered as follows:  

  • TPP0145: offered in Block 2 and Block 5 
  • TPP0155: offered in Block 3 and Block 6 
  • TPP0160: offered in Block 2 and Block 5 
  • TPP0175: offered in Block 3 and Block 6

The TPP0183 course is only offered in Semester 1 and Semester 2 in 2023. 

Enrolment and course selection

Your enrolment pattern will depend on what undergraduate study you want to do after TPP. TPP study patterns are based on your individual needs.

Contact tpp.support@usq.edu.au or phone 1800 803 781 to talk through your individual plans and requirements. 

You can also find information about your courses and enrolment patterns in the UniSQ Handbook, available from 19 October 2022.

Enrolments for 2023 are scheduled to open from 19 October 2022.
Yes, you can! TPP offers individualised pathways based on your goals. If you want to slow things down, you can have a break between Blocks or align your study to fit in with work or family commitments.

A full-time study load in the Block calendar is 2 courses.

If you study 2 courses in a Block study period you can't study a course in another calendar (Semester/Trimester etc.) at the same time.

If you study 1 course per Block you could study 1 or 2 courses in a different calendar at the same time without exceeding a full-time study load. 

Assessment and exams

You will complete your study and your assessment in a shorter time period but the credit value and the assessment will remain at the same level. Assessment tasks will be designed and timed to fit the shorter time period.
This is not applicable to most TPP students, however it may be relevant if you are an Engineering/Science student doing a TPP mathematics course. Contact tpp.support@usq.edu.au or phone 1800 803 781 to talk through your individual plans and requirements if you are an Engineering/Science student. 
 

 

Where to find more information

More information about the TPP pathway will be available in the UniSQ Handbook from 19 October 2022.
Connect with us – start a conversation, whenever suits you. Contact us for more information.

Current students

All courses, except for TPP0183, will be offered in the Block academic calendar model from March 2023 (Block 2 intake).

Compared to Semesters, Blocks are shorter study periods that typically run from 6-8 weeks which incorporates 6 weeks of teaching, an optional 7th week for assessment and a one-week study break.

Yes, the UniSQ College will offer information sessions for current TPP students and contact you to explain the changes. 

No, most courses are offered in the Block calendar in 2023. Please contact UniSQ College to discuss your options: email tpp.support@usq.edu.au or phone 1800 803 781

About the degree

The Tertiary Preparation Pathway (TPP) offers you a flexible, individualised pathway for entry into the undergraduate program of your choice. We help you tailor your pathway so you are only required to study courses that meet your individual needs.

TPP prepares you for university studies and you will develop your writing, computing and general study skills and build your confidence for further studies.

In the Block academic calendar model, you can complete your pathway courses in 8 weeks if you only require one course to meet your goals. 

Yes!  You can complete 2 TPP courses per Block (full-time). For many students, this will enable you to meet the entry requirements for your chosen undergraduate degree.  If you need to complete more TPP courses to be fully prepared for university study, you can complete up to 4 courses in 16 weeks if you study full-time.  

Download TPP academic calendars

Why UniSQ?

No.1 in Australia for graduate starting salary.*
Choose where, when and even how you study, with our flexible study options.
Access UniSQ's five-star support, services and facilities.
*Good Universities Guide, 2022