An intensive session lets you complete a unit of study and sit its exam outside or during a standard semester. Sessions generally run for 4–7 weeks, with classes held over consecutive months in many cases.
Studying in an intensive session lets you accelerate your course, catch up on a failed unit of study, or balance your timetable. Some courses may require you to study in sessions outside the standard semesters, such as if you’re completing a placement or industry project.
Because intensives compress a full unit's workload into a much shorter timeframe, consider your study load before enrolling. Check your other commitments during the session to ensure you can dedicate enough time to keep up with the faster pace.
Intensive sessions have their own key dates, which differ from semester dates.
Visit the key dates page to check the start, end and census dates for each intensive session, along with other important dates for fees and the last day to add or drop a unit.
From 2027 intensive sessions have a shorter STUVAC (study vacation), running for four days prior to exams (Thursday to Sunday). Be aware that sometimes the dates for these sessions may vary, based on your faculty or school and teaching requirements. Make sure you check your university student email and Canvas for any updates from your faculty or school and unit of study coordinator regarding your session dates.
All courses will let you enrol in up to 32 credit points during each teaching period, so that you can complete an intensive unit outside of the standard semester.
During 2027, Law units run in intensive sessions will be delivered on adjusted dates.
| Teaching period | Intensive session |
|---|---|
| Teaching period 1 (January to June) | Intensive January – February (S1CIFE) This session runs during summer break. |
| Intensive February – March (S1CIMR) | |
| Intensive March – April (S1CIAP) | |
| Intensive April – May (S1CIMY) | |
| Intensive May – June (S1CIJN) | |
| Intensive June – July (S2CIJL) This session runs during winter break. |
|
| Teaching period 2 (July to December) | Intensive July – August (S2CIAU) |
| Intensive August – September (S2CISE) | |
| Intensive September – October (S2CIOC) | |
| Intensive October – November (S2CINO) | |
| Intensive November – December (S2CIDE) This session runs during summer break. |
Make sure you check the following before you enrol, so you know if an intensive session is right for you.
The unit needs to meet your course requirements and satisfy its prerequisites. Check your handbook or book an appointment with an academic adviser if you're unsure.
Make sure the intensive isn't scheduled before the commencement date in your letter of offer.
You'll need to have an active eCoE and visa that covers any period that you're studying in. You must be enrolled in a full-time study load, where at least 18 credit points are completed during the standard semester. Find out more about your study load requirements.
If you were approved for a suspension in your first semester of study, you won't be able to select an intensive unit scheduled before the start date of the standard semester.
If you suspend your studies for the semester, check that you're not enrolling in an intensive held during the remainder of that teaching period.
Be aware your graduation may be delayed as you won’t be eligible to graduate until you receive your results and completion letter.
Tuition fees for units taken in intensives are calculated at the same rate as the same units in Semester 1 or 2. As with each semester, your fees will depend on what type of student you are and the course you are studying.
Visit the tuition fees and key dates pages to view your course fees and their due dates.
If eligible, you may be able to apply for HECS-HELP or FEE-HELP to assist with these fees.
Each intensive session has its own exam period. To find out when yours is held:
You'll usually need to wait until the end of the current semester to receive your results for an intensive unit. For example, if you complete a unit in a January–February intensive session, you may not receive your results until Semester 1 results are published mid-year.
Find out more about when results are released.
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Before the census date, you can drop an intensive unit in Sydney Student > My studies > Units of study > Change your units of study. Select the rubbish bin next to the unit, select 'Continue' and then 'Confirm' to finalise the change.
After the census date, you won't be able to remove yourself from the unit. Find out your other options for discontinuing a unit of study.
