Our transition to a modular curriculum using a modified semester

Adelaide University’s ambition is to deliver Australia’s most accessible, contemporary curriculum that creates more flexibility for students than ever before. This will be delivered through The Adelaide Attainment Model, which will guide the design and development of new course content.

A key feature of The Adelaide Attainment Model is delivering a modular curriculum designed to provide students with greater flexibility and interoperability to foster opportunities for lifelong learning. Another key benefit of a modular, stackable curriculum is its ability to align with multiple delivery formats, and study modes, such as trimesters, which is the preferred Adelaide University calendar model for content delivery.

As outlined in the Curriculum update on 20 May, trimesters will be introduced gradually across 2026 – 2028. We want to explore this gradual transition to a trimester calendar together. We will consult with staff so the implications for our services, operations, our students, and our staff, including workload management, can be understood and worked through in detail later in the year.

To realise the benefits of a modular curriculum and ensure staff and students are supported during the transition period, course development (Part 3), which commences in August will be developed using a modular curriculum and delivered under a modified semester in 2026 and 2027. The modified semester adopts a 10-week, three-module sequence aligned to a traditional semester calendar which enables simultaneous delivery of existing courses in traditional semesters and new courses in modified semesters.

This approach will align key calendar points such as census dates, major assessment periods and teaching breaks – enhancing the student experience in 2026 and 2027. It also provides staff and students with the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the new curriculum and learning technologies, by delivering courses under a familiar format as we prepare to introduce a trimester calendar.

Another feature of the modified semester are extension weeks, which provide additional time for students and staff to transition to the modular curriculum. Students will be able to use the extension weeks for revision, consultation with academic staff, and to focus on upcoming assessment tasks. For academic staff, extension weeks provide time to review the previous module and prepare for the next. This reflection time supports our commitment to continuous curriculum improvement and quality assurance. Extension weeks would be phased out once we fully transition to the new modular calendar in 2028, providing space to include a third study period.

We recognise that certain courses may not readily align with a modified semester model. As we prepare for the commencement of Part 3 in August, the Curriculum team will be in touch with Part 3 discipline teams to discuss the best approach for each program.

For more information on the transition to a modular curriculum and modified semester please visit the Curriculum Domain section of the Adelaide University Interim Staff Intranet. If you have any questions, please email futurecurriculum@adelaide.edu.au

We look forward to continuing to engage and collaborate with academic staff in realising the vision for a new curriculum for Adelaide University.

Prof Joanne Cys & Prof Katrina Falkner, Curriculum Domain Lead & Alternate   

Joint Committee, Building a new Adelaide University