We, the undersigned students of The University of Queensland, respectfully call on the University to end the practice of scheduling in‑semester central examinations on Sundays.

UQ’s own Examinations Procedure states that examinations “must not be held on a Sunday or public holiday.” Link

This principle exists for good reason: placing exams on Sundays undermines student wellbeing and places extra pressure on those with work commitments, financial responsibilities, family duties, religious observance, those who use public transport or anyone who relies on Sunday as their only guaranteed rest day.

Extending this protection to in‑semester central exams is a matter of fairness, consistency, and student welfare.

Why Sunday exams are inequitable

1. Mental health and rest

Universities worldwide recognise the importance of protected rest days during high‑stress periods. When exams extend into Sundays, students lose their only guaranteed break in the week, contributing to burnout, reduced performance, and poorer wellbeing.

2. Work and financial pressures

Many students rely on weekend employment to support themselves. Sunday shifts are often the most financially important due to penalty rates. A Sunday exam can mean lost income, difficulty negotiating leave, or conflict with employers—issues that disproportionately affect low‑income and first‑in‑family students.

3. Family and caregiving responsibilities

Sunday is the only day when some students have access to family support, shared childcare, or the ability to meet caregiving obligations. A Sunday exam disrupts these arrangements and places additional stress on students who already balance study with caring roles.

4. Sunday Transport Disadvantage

UQ’s Sunday exam blocks—9:00am, 12:30pm and 3:30pm—clash with Brisbane’s reduced Sunday public transport. Many routes start late, run infrequently, or lack connections, making timely travel to St Lucia or Herston unreliable or impossible. Sunday exams unfairly disadvantage students who depend on public transport to reach campus.

5. Religious observance

For many students, Sunday is a day of worship, rest, or community participation. Requiring attendance at a Sunday exam forces these students to choose between their faith and their academic responsibilities. This creates a structural disadvantage that disproportionately affects religious minorities and practising Christians alike.

6. Inconsistency with UQ’s own policy

UQ already prohibits Sunday end‑of‑semester exams because they are recognised as inappropriate and inequitable. Extending Sunday scheduling to in‑semester central exams creates a two‑tier system where some assessments are protected from Sunday scheduling and others are not, despite having similar stakes for students.

7. Alternative scheduling options exist

UQ already uses Fridays and Saturdays for in‑semester exams. Additional weekday evening sessions, expanded venue use, or digital proctoring windows could absorb the remaining demand without requiring Sunday sittings. Other universities manage large exam volumes without Sunday exams; UQ can too.

8. Unethical Enrollment Levels

UQ’s enrolment has grown significantly over the past decade, increasing exam volume without a matching expansion in exam capacity. If the University cannot timetable assessments within the standard Monday–Saturday window, that reflects a planning mismatch. An unethical increase in enrollments at the expense of student wellbeing is not a justification for Sunday exams.

What we are asking for

We request that UQ:

End the scheduling of in‑semester central examinations on Sundays, aligning them with the protections already applied to end‑of‑semester exams. Adopt a consistent, student‑centred scheduling approach that protects mental health, respects financial pressures, supports family responsibilities, upholds religious freedom, and recognises that reduced Sunday public transport makes timely access to campus unreliable or unviable for many students. Consider ethical and realistic enrollment levels. Commit to transparent consultation with students and staff before making future changes to exam scheduling practices.
 

Why this matters?

A fair exam timetable should not force students to choose between their education and their wellbeing, their income, their families and their beliefs. Ending Sunday exams is a simple, practical step that promotes equity, inclusion, and academic integrity across the University.