Proposed curriculum changes

Student FAQs

Macquarie University is making some proposed changes to academic staffing and some of the courses and units we offer in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science and Engineering.

Macquarie University is a distinctive and forward-thinking institution. We are committed to excellence in education and research, and meaningful engagement with industry, government, and the communities we serve.

The proposed changes respond to challenges the higher education sector is facing and are designed to ensure that we continue to offer a transformative education.

We are confident these proposals will ensure our education remains transformative, for you and future students, and sets all our graduates up for success.

Any changes we make will help you thrive in your career and respond to the needs of the world you are preparing to enter.

To help you understand what these proposed changes mean for you, we have compiled the following frequently asked questions.

What are the changes being proposed?

The University has released formal change proposals in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science and Engineering. Staff are being consulted on these proposed changes.

The proposed changes apply only to select areas across the two faculties. Professional and casual academic staff are not included in these changes.

If implemented, the proposals would see a streamlining of the curriculum and a net reduction of some academic roles in select areas across the two faculties.

These proposed changes are motivated by a mission to continue offering relevant, modern and excellent education and research, as well as ensure the University’s long-term financial resilience.

Why are there proposed changes to the curriculum?

Macquarie University is committed to providing students with an education that meets their needs and expectations, as well as those of society as a whole.

Students have provided substantial feedback telling us that our degree structures are too complex, that the range of units we offer can be confusing, and that they want to benefit from clearer pathways and more structured and meaningful choices.

Students also tell us that they want to see genuine economic value from their education.

We are confident that any changes we make to our current curriculum will help you thrive in your career and respond to the needs of the world you are preparing to enter.

How will students be impacted by these changes?

We remain firmly committed to your education, and to minimising any disruption to your learning.

For most students, few changes will arise from the proposals.

You may notice a more focused structure to your courses, majors or specialisations and changes to the units you can select.

Our curriculum will be more purposeful, pathways to graduation will be easier to navigate, and this will offer a better experience.

In other cases, some current named courses will appear as majors within existing or proposed new courses. These changes will only apply to future students and not those currently enrolled, unless you choose to transfer to a new program.

We are committed to allowing all current students to complete the degrees in which they enrolled.

Are academic programs, including courses, changing in faculties?

Macquarie University prides itself on being a distinctive and innovative institution that delivers world-class and impactful education and research.

In line with our mission, these proposals will include changes to some courses to better meet student demand and continue to ensure our education is relevant for contemporary needs.

In summary, the proposed curriculum changes across select areas in both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science and Engineering include:

new course offerings in key areas of growth and demand
resting courses with declining or low enrolments
a streamlining of existing curriculum, including extremely low enrolment and teach-out units
shifting some named courses as majors or specialisations in existing or proposed new courses (applying only to future enrolments).

Will current students be able to complete their courses?

Yes. Students will continue to have the opportunity to complete the qualification/s they have enrolled in.

Proposed changes at the course level will apply only to future students and not those currently enrolled, unless you choose to transfer to a new course. Current students are welcome to transfer to the new courses (subject to meeting entry criteria).

When a course is discontinued, no new enrolments are accepted, but the necessary units will continue to be offered for a reasonable period of time so that existing students can complete their degree.