Enrolment, Timetabling and Program Planner
Satisfaction with student admin tools like Enrolment, Timetabling and Program Planner has declined.
- Increased range of times of classes (n=1788)
- Increased availability of courses throughout the year (n=1163)
- More information (n=877)
- Increased system accessibility (n=872)
- Increased availability of courses at other campuses (n=712)
We're taking action to make enrolment, timetabling and course planning easier and more connected.
The University is focused on one thing, making it easier. Through ongoing investment in smarter, more connected and user-friendly systems, we’re improving the way students plan, enrol and manage their studies. This is a long-term commitment that will be delivered over the next five years. In the meantime, we’re already taking action by:
- Better-connected systems: Program Planner is now integrated with myUni Enrolment, allowing students to plan courses in Program Planner and automatically transfer them into their enrolment shopping cart.
- Improving UX & UI: Updates released in May 2026 included usability enhancements and bug fixes. We're also working on new features, including automatically generated degree plans for new students and more visual ways to view and manage study plans.
- More support when you need it: Student Admin support sessions are available, and the Student Progression team is proactively identifying and contacting students who may have enrolment issues.
- Clearer information and guidance: We're expanding support resources and communications to help students better understand course planning, enrolment requirements and available study options.
- Earlier access to timetables: With the Academic Calendar now confirmed three years in advance, timetables can be released up to 12 weeks before the start of term, giving students more time to plan.
- More study options: From 2027, selected courses will continue to be offered in the Midyear Session, creating more study options and opportunities to accelerate program completion.
Food Services and Retail
Over the past few years, students have consistently raised concerns about the cost and quality of food on campus. In 2026, more than 60% of students felt campus food was more expensive, and 44% believed it was lower quality than external alternatives.
We're taking action to provide affordable food options for our students.
Eating well at university shouldn't cost a fortune. Sustain Me was designed specifically for students to provide affordable, nutritious and sustainably sourced meals, helping to address the rising cost of living while making healthy food more accessible across our campuses.
Partially funded through the Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF), Sustain Me offers meals for as little as $1.50, with most menu items no more than $11.00. Affordable food is available to all students at Callaghan, NUspace and Gosford.
Since launching in mid 2026, the program has delivered significant benefits for students with more than 3000 subsidised meals sold to date.
The program has expanded in Semester 2 and Trimester 3 2026 by partnering with popular campus food outlets to offer student favourites at heavily subsidised prices, ensuring affordable options are available where students already eat and study. It’s expected impact over this time is:
- Over 30,000 meals projected annually.
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More than 2,000 meals projected each week.
- Over $200,000 in projected student savings per semester.
Placement Support
This is a new section in the SFUN survey drawing attention to an area that was identified in written feedback from previous SFUN surveys. Students seek greater support finding placement, more timely information and greater flexibility.
We're taking action to ensure students feel supported through placement.
Every undergraduate student at the University of Newcastle student completes a career-ready placement opportunity, and a range of support services are available to help students prepare for, secure and succeed in placement. Support is available through the Careers Service, Professional Experience Units, Course Coordinators, Industrial Experience Coordinators and Placement Coordinators.
Each College also has a dedicated Professional Experience Support Coordinator, providing students with an additional point of contact for guidance and assistance throughout their placement journey.
To make these services easier to access, we're working closely with our Colleges to increase awareness of placement support through targeted communications and student information campaigns. Our goal is to ensure students know where to find help and feel confident reaching out at any stage of their studies.
We also recognise that placements can bring additional personal, academic and financial pressures. Beyond placement-specific support, students can access a range of wellbeing, counselling and support services through Student Wellbeing whenever they need them.