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Timetable FAQs for Staff

Here you can find the most commonly asked questions asked by academics about the production of the new teaching timetable.  Please read these carefully, and if your question is not answered please contact us at timetable@soas.ac.uk.

  • How can I view the timetable?
    The timetable is available online at http://www.soas.ac.uk/timetable/current/. Please use this link and not any bookmarked links you may have.
  • What activities does next year’s draft timetable include?

    The draft timetable contains only lectures, or other whole-group classes. Tutorials and room allocations are added in late summer.

  • What am I being asked to check on the draft timetable?

    To ensure we allocate an appropriate room for your course, we need to ensure that we have the correct day and time, projected student numbers, and your equipment requirements. Changing any of these after rooms are allocated is, as many colleagues have experienced, extremely difficult, so it is absolutely vital that you check this information as soon as possible. Please do not assume that you will be allocated rooms with equipment if you have not specifically requested it.

  • How is the draft timetable produced?
    Faculty Administrators have meetings with Heads of Department to go through any changes required to the current timetable. These are collated together and entered on the timetable via Web Data Collection.
  • Am I guaranteed the day and time slot which is published on the draft timetable for my course?

    No. The draft timetable is published without rooms being allocated, which means there may be more requests for classes at peak times than we can accommodate. When we have received all of the requested changes to the timetable, we will be able to allocate rooms and guarantee your slot.

  • Can I change the day and time of my course?

    In general, we prefer for the timetable to roll over from one year to the next with minimal changes. If you are requesting a change to an existing course we would prefer it if you could check this with your Head of Department to ensure it does not cause problems with clashes either inside or outside your department. When you have checked this, please email us QUOTING THE APPROPRIATE COURSE CODE, at timetable@soas.ac.uk.

  • If I do change the time, when can I change it to?

    The School’s core teaching day is 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday, but much teaching also takes place in the 5pm to 7pm slot. Two-hour slots must start at 9am, 11am, 1pm, 3pm, and 5pm. This means you cannot teach 10-12, 12-2, or 2-4pm. The School has a policy that Wednesday afternoons should be kept clear of teaching as much as possible. We will try to ensure that, at the very least, no undergraduate lectures are scheduled on Wednesday afternoons.

  • What do I do if my course is on the draft timetable, but not under my name?

    Then please email us quoting the appropriate course code (e.g. 15PG00001) at timetable@soas.ac.uk.

  • What if my course is not on the timetable at all?

    Then please email us quoting the appropriate course code (e.g. 15PG00001) at timetable@soas.ac.uk.

  • When will any changes be made?

    We will aim to make any changes which you send within 7 days of receiving the change. If your request comes at a busier time this may take longer, although we will acknowledge receipt of your request.

  • When can I request tutorials?

    Tutorial requests can be made at any time although the first draft of the timetable includes only whole group activities like lectures. 

     Rooms are allocated to tutorials after they have been allocated to lectures: so it may not always be possible to allocate your requested time slot, please include all possible time slots in which the tutorial can be taught in order of preference on your request.

  • When will the final timetable be published?

    Again, this will depend largely on the prompt notification of any required changes, but we aim to publish this information in late summer.

  • When will I know my room numbers?

    Room numbers will be published with the final timetable (see above).

  • Can I request a specific room?

    In general, it is not possible to specify a particular room. We allocate rooms based on best-fit and on a zoning of classrooms close to academic departments. This is why we collect information based on projected student numbers and equipment requirements. The same applies for Russell Square / Vernon Square requests.

  • When can I make one-off bookings for the new Academic Year?

    You can book meeting rooms and conference rooms, the KLT after 7pm plus teaching rooms at weekends and during holidays.

    It is only possible to make one-off requests for teaching rooms in term time once the teaching timetable, including tutorials, is pretty much finalised.

    We understand that this can cause some minor inconvenience, but we also hope that you appreciate that, within teaching rooms, your teaching must be our first priority.