VU Block Model

This mode is relevant to undergraduate courses, and some postgraduate courses (check with your course coordinator).

• Study one unit (subject) at a time over four weeks
• Full-time and part-time study
• One unit at a time over four weeks

VU Online courses only:

• study one unit at a time over seven weeks
• part-time study only.

This study mode is relevant to some postgraduate courses. Check with your course coordinator.

• Full-time and part-time study
• Two units at a time over eight weeks (full time) or one unit at a time over eight weeks (part time)

All bachelor degree, higher education diploma, postgraduate courses and higher education certificates at our Melbourne and Sydney campuses are taught with the VU Block Model®.

This mode of study is also available for our postgraduate courses, which are delivered in a mixture of four-week and eight-week blocks, depending on your specialisation.

PhD courses and masters by research are not taught in block mode.

Please note that TAFE courses are not run with the VU Block Model®. Learn more about VU TAFE courses.

The VU Block Model® is designed for a focused timetable of three-hour classes, three days a week, making it easier to fit into your life. 

Block classes are available in multiple combinations to allow you to choose the timetable that best suits you (depending on your course). You can choose classes in the day or evening to ensure you can still keep any other commitments you may have outside of university, like work or family commitments.

Some courses may require additional hours. Find your course page for more information.

Use our timetable planner to get an idea of when classes for particular units and courses will run in the coming semester.

You will complete all assessments for each unit (subject) within each four-week block and receive your results soon after your block finishes.

The type of assessment will depend on the unit you are taking, and may include:

• hands-on activities or smaller assessment tasks (conducted in the classroom or online)
• group presentations
• a final product or assessment task at the end of your unit.

Assessments are designed so you can achieve your best through early and ongoing feedback. Please find your course page for detailed information. 

The VU Block Model® allows us to offer five opportunities throughout the year to start your course. Typically, these will be: 

• the start of the year (February)
• Semester 1, Block 3 (May)
• Mid-year (July)
• Semester 2, Block 3 (October).

Note: not all courses will be available to start in every intake period. Please see your course page for detailed information on start dates.

When you enrol, you will select your units for the year across each block. 

Depending on your course, you may have set units you need to complete, or you may have options to choose from. You may also be able to choose the order you complete units in.  

For details of core units and to plan out your year, please see your course page – or search our course delivery plans for your chosen course.

If you’re studying full time as an undergraduate student, you will typically complete eight blocks each year. 

However, depending on your course and subject availability, you may be able to fast-track your studies by completing up to ten blocks across the year: 

• Semester 1: four blocks
• Semester 2: four blocks
• Plus two optional blocks: one winter block and one summer block 

This also means if you miss a unit or need to repeat one, you may be able to catch up over the winter and summer blocks.

You also have the option to complete your studies part time.

Postgraduate courses are delivered via a mixture of four-week and eight-week blocks. Find your course page for more information.