Carnegie Mellon University Australia (CMU-A), located in Adelaide, operates on a semester-based academic calendar, aligning with many global universities while accommodating the Australian academic cycle. The calendar typically consists of two main semesters—Semester 1 (starting in late February or early March and ending in June) and Semester 2 (beginning in late July or early August and concluding in November). This structure includes mid-semester breaks and examination periods at the end of each semester. A unique feature of CMU-A’s calendar is its alignment with both Australian and U.S. academic traditions due to its affiliation with Carnegie Mellon University in Pittsburgh, offering students flexibility for cross-campus opportunities and summer sessions often held in December to February.
The academic calendar at Carnegie Mellon University Australia aligns closely with Australian higher education norms, particularly in its semester structure and timing, which accommodates national holidays like Anzac Day and Queen’s Birthday. This scheduling offers flexibility for international students, many of whom join from the Asia-Pacific region or the U.S., by providing ample breaks for travel or internships. Additionally, the university’s dual-campus connection allows for unique scheduling considerations, such as optional summer terms in Pittsburgh or Adelaide, catering to students seeking accelerated learning or research opportunities. While specific dates for 2025–2026 are estimates based on typical cycles, students are encouraged to check official university announcements for confirmed schedules.