SAO Study Period (a.k.a. Semester) Dates

SAO study periods

Swinburne Astronomy Online (SAO) follows Swinburne's flexible online Study Period calendar rather than the traditional university semester calendar. SAO normally runs two study periods each year:

  • Study Period 1 (SP1) – February to May;
  • Study Period 3 (SP3) – August to November.

Each study period includes an introductory Orientation Week (Week 0), followed by 12 teaching weeks. Students should access their online classrooms during Week 0 to familiarise themselves with the learning environment and meet their classmates and instructors.
SP1 includes a one-week Easter break, while SP3 does not include a mid-semester break.

An example study period schedule is:

  • Study Period 1: Monday 21 February (Week 0) to 28 May (end of Week 12), with some Major Project Units extending to 05 June (end of Week 13);
  • Study Period 3: Monday 22 August (Week 0) to 19 November (end of Week 12), with some Major Project Units extending to 26 November (end of Week 13).

The exact dates vary from year to year. The current Swinburne Study Period dates are available on the University calendar, and follow the Open Universities Australia and Hawthorn – Online schedule: Swinburne study start dates.

Census dates

The census date is the deadline for finalising your enrolment and is the last day you may withdraw from a unit without incurring financial penalties. Census dates apply to all SAO students, including those enrolled through Swinburne's Hawthorn Online (HOL) or Open Universities Australia (OUA).

The SAO census date normally occurs at the beginning of Week 4 (Melbourne, Australia time). Students should ensure that any enrolment changes are completed before this date.

Important information for enrolled students

Enrolled students should log into Canvas during Week 0, before teaching begins, to access their unit materials and prepare for the study period.

SAO units are designed to be completed within the standard study period. Most units conclude at the end of Week 12, while Major Project Units include additional time for assessment and grading during Week 13.

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