The University of South Australia (UniSA), located in Adelaide, operates on a semester-based academic calendar with two main teaching periods per year, supplemented by optional summer and winter terms for intensive study. The primary semesters typically commence in late February for Semester 1 and late July for Semester 2, aligning with the southern hemisphere academic cycle. Each semester spans approximately 12–14 weeks, including teaching, revision, and examination periods, with breaks in between. UniSA also offers flexible study options through shorter study periods, allowing students to accelerate their degrees or balance study with other commitments.
- Semester 1 Start: Late February 2025 (typically around February 24) – Orientation week precedes classes with welcome events for new students.
- Mid-Semester Break (Semester 1): Mid-April 2025 (around April 14–18) – Often coincides with Easter holidays.
- Semester 1 Exams: Early to mid-June 2025 (approximately June 9–20) – Final assessments for the term.
- Semester 2 Start: Late July 2025 (typically around July 28) – Second major teaching period begins.
- Mid-Semester Break (Semester 2): Late September to early October 2025 (around September 29–October 3) – Short break for students.
- Semester 2 Exams: Mid to late November 2025 (approximately November 10–21) – End of main academic year assessments.
- Summer Term (Optional): Early December 2025 to mid-February 2026 – Intensive courses available for credit.
- Early Application Deadline: Late September 2024 (around September 30) – Recommended for international students to allow visa processing time.
- Regular Admission Deadline: Early December 2024 (approximately December 5) – Final date for most domestic undergraduate applications for 2025 entry.
- Late Application Period: Mid-December 2024 to early January 2025 – Subject to availability of places; priority given to earlier applicants.
- Offer Notification: Mid-January 2025 (typically around January 15) – Main round of offers released for domestic and international students.
- Enrollment Deadline: Early February 2025 (around February 7) – Deadline to accept offers and finalize enrollment for Semester 1.
UniSA’s academic calendar aligns with typical Australian university schedules, following the southern hemisphere cycle with major breaks coinciding with national holidays like Easter and the Christmas/New Year period. This structure offers predictability for domestic students and sufficient lead time for international students to arrange visas and travel, especially with early application deadlines. The inclusion of optional summer and winter terms provides additional flexibility, catering to diverse student needs and allowing for accelerated study or catch-up opportunities. Note that exact dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on historical patterns, as specific calendars may not yet be publicly available.