A new addition to the academic year

Session 3 is an optional, intensive study period offered in the summer months. It runs for seven weeks, and is a regular part of the academic year at Macquarie. First and second semester will be renamed Session 1 and Session 2 to reflect this.

Session 3 units have identical learning outcomes, means of assessment and prerequisite structures.

Students have equivalent services and support as those available in Sessions 1 and 2, such as:

• study skills support
• mentoring
• disability support services
• access to library services
• food and beverage outlets.

There will be some differences in how units are delivered due to the short study period.  For example using online or group sessions, as well as face-to-face teaching.

Study during summer

In 2009, we began to review our teaching year. As part of the review we asked students whether they'd be interested in taking subjects during the summer months. They overwhelmingly said yes, provided the costs weren't too high.

The Australian Government is now making changes to the higher education sector. The changes allow us to offer Session 3 units at the regular HECS rates to students enrolled in Commonwealth Supported Places. We're keen to give you this extra opportunity to fast-track your studies.

Our first Session 3

Session 3 will normally run from December through to February. The Government changes commence on 1 January 2012, which means the first Session 3 will run from 3 January to 17 February, 2012.

More than 45 units will be offered as part of this year's Session 3. All four faculties are represented, with people and planet units, and three postgraduate units available. Due to Session 3 units being taught in a more intensive format, students will only be allowed to enrol in a maximum of two Session 3 units at once.

• View the full list of Session 3 units
• Find out how to enrol in Session 3

Macquarie University staff

Academic and professional staff at Macquarie University can find more information about Session 3 on the Session 3 staff wiki.