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Class timetables
Enter class preferences
Before timetables are released, you can request your preferences in Sydney Timetable, except for . You need to be enrolled in units to be able to enter preferences.
Preferencing is optional; in most cases you’ll still be allocated to classes if you skip this step.
Your preferences can’t be guaranteed but will be taken into account when assigning you to classes for your activities (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.Â
- 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.Â
- Once your timetable is released, the classes for your units will turn from pending (orange) to allocated (green) status. You'll then be able to review and adjust your units.
Unfortunately, not all students get their first preference. For example, it might cause a clash, or your first choice might be a popular class that many students selected.
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.
- Sydney Timetable will present all the available classes for your activity. 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'll 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 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
If you decide to enter preferences, you'll need to complete this before the date preferences close.
If you don’t enter preferences, or you change your enrolled units, you'll still be allocated to classes in most cases.
Your preferences can't be changed after the deadline, however you'll be able to review and adjust your classes, as well as add yourself to new classes, once you've received your timetable.Â
Last updated: 06 March 2025
