Step 2: Select your timetable preferences
When MyTimetable opens for preference entry, you can enter class time preferences for your enrolled subjects.
During the preference entry period you can select your preferred class times for your enrolled subjects in each study period.
You can only enter or change your class preferences for subjects that you are enrolled in. Make sure you’ve finalised your subject enrolment before you enter your class preferences.
After the preference entry period has closed, MyTimetable sorts the class preferences, then generates everyone’s timetables.
How to select your preferences
There are two methods for selecting your preferences, you can either generate first preferences for all class types or select your preferences for an individual class type.
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Generate first preferences for all class types
- Navigate to the Preferences tab. Here you will see any classes you are already allocated to in green.
- Generate your first preferences by clicking the 'Generate First Preferences' button. This will populate the Preferences grid with clash-free first preferences for all Activity Groups in a Preference Entry mode. Generated preferences will have a red exclamation symbol.
- Note that preferences for sectioned subjects will not be generated. You will need to follow the 'select your preferences for an individual class type' process below to enter preferences for your sectioned subjects.
- Note that preferences for sectioned subjects will not be generated. You will need to follow the 'select your preferences for an individual class type' process below to enter preferences for your sectioned subjects.
- Ensure you select the minimum number of preferences.
- Select a class with a red exclamation mark by clicking on it to show all other class options for that class type.
- Follow the instructions on the Preferences tab and enter your preferences by selecting a number in the drop-down list for each of the classes you want to add to your preferences.
- Click ‘Save’ when you are done selecting your preferences. The red exclamation mark on the class will change to an amber symbol to indicate you have selected preferences and are awaiting allocation.
- Repeat for any other classes with a red exclamation mark.
- You can view your saved preferences by scrolling further down to the Preferences Summary.
- Navigate to the Preferences tab. Here you will see any classes you are already allocated to in green.
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Select your preferences for an individual class type
- Select a class type by clicking on the class type from the enrolment list on the left side panel, eg Tutorial1.
- Select your preferred times in order of preference.
- Review your class options for the class type in the List view, or click the grid symbol in the top right corner if you want to see the classes in a grid view.
- Use the drop-down menus for each class to enter your preferences, with '1' being the class time you want the most.
- Click 'Save' to submit your preferences.
- Any classes you are already allocated to, will show overlaid in green.
- Check for online classes and on campus classes. Based on its delivery mode, a subject may have on campus and/or online classes. If you can attend on campus classes, you can select preferences for these classes. If you are unable to attend campus, make sure you enter preferences for the online classes. Find out more about online and on campus classes.
- Ensure you select the minimum number of preferences indicated for each class type. Preference numbers must be consecutive (eg for a minimum of four preferences, order your preferences as '1', '2', '3' and '4').
- Check the class popularity. You will see a percentage value associated with each class. This indicates the popularity of the class, and is based on the number of students who have selected it as their first preference, relative to the maximum number of places allowed. A class with more than 100% is over-subscribed with first preferences. You can still preference an over-subscribed class, but selecting a class with a lower percentage will increase your chance of being allocated to it.
- Check for flags. Some classes might have a flag icon next to them, this means that you are required to include that class in your preferences. If you haven't selected enough flagged classes in your preferences, you will see an error message. Flagged classes don’t need to be your first preference, but they do need to be included.
- Check whether your classes have a recorded option. Some classes may be categorised as ‘recorded’ (ie available on Lecture Capture). This means you may be able to watch a recording of the class instead of attending in person if attendance is not mandatory (please check the attendance and participation requirements for your subject in the Handbook). MyTimetable indicates these classes in list view either as ‘_Recorded’ with a symbol or a class number with a symbol. In the grid view it will show as a dotted outline around the class.To choose a recorded class, preference your recorded class first. You will be guaranteed allocation into a recorded class, so you can preference clashing classes at the same time.
- Check for clashing preferences. Unless otherwise indicated (ie recorded classes) MyTimetable will only allocate you a clash-free timetable so it's important that your class preferences don't clash with other preferred or allocated classes.
- Check for sectioned subjects. For sectioned subjects, you must select classes in groups, meaning you will be with the same classmates for two or more classes (eg the same lecture and studio workshop). To preference sections:
- Enter your preferences next to each section name (eg in the below example, preferences can be selected for ‘Section 001’ and ‘Section 002’).
- If there is a '1' next to each class within a section, no further action is required. However if a section has multiple classes without a 1, you must enter preferences for these. In the below example, in Section 1 there is only one option for Lecture1 and Studio1, so you do not need to do anything. For Studio2, there are two options you need to preference.
- Save your preferences. Click Save and repeat the above for all remaining class types.
- Check your preferences before preference entry closes. Classes are subject to change throughout the preference entry period, and new class times and modes of delivery (eg on campus or online) may become available. To ensure you don’t miss out on new class options, remember to review your preferences before the preference entry period closes. You can change your preferences until the preference entry deadline. For information on when the preference entry period opens and closes for each study period, see timetable dates.
Watch our video guide for further information about how to select your preferences by individual class type.
Melbourne Peer Mentor Program
If you are participating in the Melbourne Peer Mentor Program or are attending a group meeting as part of Academic Advising at Melbourne, you will also need to select your preferred day and times for your meeting schedule. For more information visit the mentee or mentor pages.
Viewing your saved preferences
Click on the Preferences tab on the menu bar to view all your saved class preferences. You can make changes to your preferences anytime during the preferencing period.
Deadlines
To have your preferences considered, you must finalise all of your preferences before the preference entry deadline. When the preference period closes, MyTimetable will sort the preferences and allocate everyone’s timetables.
If you have not selected any preferences for a class type by the time the preference entry period closes, you can still create your timetable by manually selecting from remaining available classes when the Review and Adjust period opens, however you might not get a timetable that suits you.
Timetable support
For class timetabling help and troubleshooting information, visit our timetable help page.