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Class timetables
Enter class preferences
Before timetables are released, you will be able to enter preferences for your timetable through Sydney Timetable, with the exception of 'read-only' units and units with only one class option.
The preferences you enter can’t be guaranteed but will be taken into account when assigning you to classes for your activity types (for example lectures or tutorials). All preferences entered at any point during the preferencing period will be treated equally.
For tips and guidance on how to enter preferences, watch our video.
How preferences work
When you select a class as a preference, a weighting is added to that class. This will increase the chance that you are assigned to this class. It does not matter if you enter your preferences on the first or last day of the preferencing period, you will still have the same chances of being given your highest preferences for classes.
You can change your preferences at any point during the preferencing period.
At the end of the preferencing period, the timetabling system will allocate you to your highest possible preference. It is not possible for all students to get their first preferences. You may not be assigned to your first preference class if it will cause clashes on your timetable, or many students have selected that class as a first preference and there isn’t room for everyone to be placed in the class.
Once this process is complete, the classes for your units of study will turn from pending (orange) to allocated (green) status and you will be able to see the allocated classes on your personal timetable.
How to enter preferences
Learn how to enter preferences in Sydney Timetable in the video below.
Log in to Sydney Timetable and follow the instructions below to enter your preferences. Remember, you can only enter preferences during the preference period.
- In the ‘Enrolment’ box, select an activity type.
- Sydney Timetable will present all the available classes for your activity type. Use the drop-down menus next to each available class to enter your preferences. You can choose your preferred classes by numbering them in order of priority, with ‘1’ indicating the class you want to be in the most. For most activities, you will need to enter at least 3 preferences.
- Review the class popularity, presented as a percentage value, next to each class. This number reflects the percentage of students who have selected this activity as their first preference, relative to the total number of places available. You can preference a class when it has a high percentage, however, when the percentage is lower, your chances of being placed in this class are higher. The percentages will change throughout the preferencing period, so make sure you check back at the end of this period as you might want to update your preferences depending on their popularity.
- If you’re happy with your selections, select the ‘Save’ button. A pop-up window will appear confirming your preferences have been recorded. The icon next to the activity type will then change to an amber colour, which means ‘Pending’.
- Make sure you enter preferences for all your classes with a red icon next to them. Once you’ve entered all your preferences, you can select the 'Preferences’ tab to view your entries.
Deadlines
You need to finalise preferences before the date when preferences close. If you don’t enter your class preferences or have made changes to your units of study, you will need to allocate yourself to available classes when timetables are available and you can review and make adjustments. This may mean your preferred classes are no longer available. Find out how to allocate yourself to available classes.
Last updated: 25 January 2023
