James Cook University has listened to student feedback and will amend its exam timetable in 2027 to provide a 5-calendar-day study break before exams in each trimester.
JCU will provide a minimum of 5 days without lectures or classes in the lead up to the end of trimester examination period – to deliver a dedicated study break in the lead up to exams.
The teaching period for each trimester will remain at 10 weeks. Examinations will be removed from Monday to Wednesday of the examination week, with the first exam being held on Thursday. The examination period will be conducted over three days.
This will provide students with dedicated study time without changing the formal start and end dates of teaching periods or examination periods. It restores a continuous block of preparation time for examinations in each trimester.
JCU Deputy Vice Chancellor Education Professor Mitch Parsell said the University had heard students' feedback loud and clear.
"We understand that the changes to SWOTVAC caused concern for a significant number of our students and we have taken that feedback onboard and made changes to the 2027 exam timetable," Professor Parsell said.
"We've also learnt a lot about the importance of collecting student feedback and we have committed to improving our processes going forward.
"I'd also like to personally thank all the students who took time to provide feedback on the changes to SWOTVAC – because of your efforts we've made changes to improve your experience at JCU in 2027."
Professor Parsell said the introduction of a minimum 5-day study break immediately before exams allowed the University to keep the week-long lecture recess in the middle of trimesters and not move the start or end dates of the academic calendar.
"This solution delivers students a dedicated study break within the current structure of the 2027 academic calendar," Professor Parsell said.
"It's also important to note that the original changes to the academic calendar were done with the best of intentions. By shortening the length of 2027 academic calendar, we were hoping to try and reduce accommodation costs for students as well as improving the transition to university for school leavers. The new model allows us to retain these benefits while giving students back uninterrupted time to prepare for exams.
"However, we've heard loud and clear that we could have done better throughout this process and that's why we've conducted a very deliberate round of engagement with students and taken on board their feedback by delivering a dedicated 5-day study break."
