First the first time in Australia, a university is set to offer all students access to cross-disciplinary subjects, regardless of their degree, with the aim of enhancing career resilience and adaptability.
From 2025, QUT will introduce a new curriculum for all undergraduate students, allowing them to choose from 10 specially designed units.
QUT Pro Vice-Chancellor (Academic Programs and Partnerships) Professor Gene Moyle said up to four units could be incorporated into every undergraduate student’s course, depending on the course and degree structure.
Professor Moyle said the “QUT You” units would prepare students for careers that were impacted by complex local and global challenges, from artificial intelligence to climate change, health epidemics, data and food security and geopolitical unrest.
She said students from across all faculties and year levels would undertake QUT You units, promoting cross-disciplinary collaboration while also considering how the unit content and skills gained can apply to their specific study stream.
The curriculum will also focus on diversity, inclusivity, cultural respect, and Indigenous Australian knowledges, priority areas supported by the Federal Government’s Australian Universities Accord review.
“The Universities Accord highlights the need to produce the skills, knowledge and intellectual ambition needed to meet the nation’s current and emerging social, economic and environmental challenges,” Professor Moyle said.
“To achieve this, students will need skills that span disciplines and careers to support their resilience in adapting to, and impacting positively upon, an ever-changing world.”
Professor Moyle said the initiative had a strong focus on engagement and the provision of unique experiences for students.
She said it not only prepared them for multiple careers, but how to work respectfully in collaborative ways.
QUT Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic) Professor Robina Xavier said the curriculum has been three years in the making, with world-leading academics, researchers, learning designers, students and the wider community working on its development.
“When you come to university as a student, you are an individual, but you are also part of a local community as well as being a global citizen,” Professor Xavier said.
“QUT You is designed to help you thrive in all these environments, strengthening your sense of belonging, connection and resilience, no matter what career path you are on.”
QUT You Senior Learning Designer Dr Richie Young said community engagement was a vital component of the units.
“QUT You supports students to think about their responsibility in their local and global communities and to connect with that community meaningfully,” Dr Young said.
In 2024, more than 2150 students tested the units, ahead of the official launch in 2025, with Student as Partner reviewers helping fine-tune unit content and delivery.
