As you start attending your tutorials online, we've put together answers to some frequently asked questions (FAQs) to help make the process as smooth and straightforward as possible.
If you have any issues accessing your online classes or marking your attendance through the Count me in (SEAtS) system, please complete our technical support form. This will help our IT team gather all the information they need to investigate further. Email the SPGA Attendance team to have your attendance record updated.
If you have any other questions or would like additional support, we're here to help! Get in touch with the SPGA Attendance team and we'll be happy to answer any questions you have there.
Things to check before class
Before your class begins, it’s worth taking a few minutes to make sure everything is set up and working as it should. This will help you join smoothly, participate fully, and get the most out of your studies. Please check the following before your next online session
Check you can view the emergency link
The emergency link is provided for situations where you experience difficulties accessing your online class through the Count Me In (SEAtS) platform. If you use the emergency link, your attendance will not be recorded, and you will be marked as “absent”. You will also need to complete the technical support form and email the SPGA Attendance team to have your attendance record updated. Therefore, it should only be used if you are experiencing issues with the platform.
Details of your online class, including the emergency link, are available on your Module Moodle page. However, access is restricted to students who have been enrolled onto the online session.
Please check that you can access the emergency link ahead of your class to avoid any issues on the day. If you cannot see the emergency link, please contact your Course Officer for assistance.
Check your microphone and device setup
Before your class begins, take a moment to check your microphone and device settings to make sure you can participate fully:
- Browser permissions:
If you’re using a web browser (especially Safari or Firefox), ensure that microphone access is enabled. We recommend using Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge for the best experience. Look for a microphone icon in the browser’s address bar and confirm that access is allowed. - Desktop app:
You may have a more stable experience by using the relevant Microsoft Teams desktop app instead of the browser version. If you’re using the app, make sure it has permission to access your microphone in your device’s system settings. - Device settings:
Ensure that your microphone is:- Not muted
- Enabled
- Set as the default input device
If you’ve checked all of the above and your microphone still isn’t working, try restarting your device or re-joining the class.
Accessing your online class
How to change your default homepage on SEAtS
To make accessing your timetable easier, we would recommend you change the default homepage on Count Me In (SEAtS) to your Profile. To do this, you will need to:
- Log into the web-browser version of Count Me In (SEAtS) on your laptop, using your legacy City email address (Firstname.Lastname@city.ac.uk) and password.
- Click your name in the top right corner of the screen- this will prompt a drop-down list to appear.
- Click on ‘Settings". You will now be in the "My Preferences" section of the site.
- Of the options available, go to ‘Default Landing page’ and select ‘My Profile’.
- The system will automatically update, and a box with the text ‘Actions updated successfully’ should appear to confirm this.
Watch our handy step-by-step video for further guidance and get in touch with the SPGA Attendance team if you have any issues.
How do I join an online class?
Through the platform, you can access your online classes in five easy steps. Follow the steps below or watch our short video tutorial to get started. Please note: To make accessing your timetable easier, we would also recommend you change the default homepage on SEAtS to your Profile.
- Open the web-browser version of SEAtS. Ensure that any previously open windows on the platform are closed, as they may have expired, and access to the platform is accessed through a new browser window each time.
- Log in with your legacy City email address (Firstname.Lastname@city.ac.uk) and password. You will be prompted to verify your account using Multi-Factor Authentication (see our set-up guide for help).
- Go to your calendar to view your timetable. Your online sessions will only display a class link from 15 minutes before its scheduled start time. If the link is not displaying, please refresh the page.
- Click the link to join — your session will open in Microsoft Teams. You’ll remain in the waiting lobby until the lecturer starts the session.
- Your attendance will automatically be recorded.
What happens if I try to join a class I’m not registered for?
You can only attend classes you’ve been officially allocated to. Your calendar in the Count Me In (SEAtS) platform contains all the correct links and room details.
If you attempt to join a class (online or in-person) that you are not allocated to, you will be marked Absent, and your attendance record cannot be updated manually.
Attendance Rules
How is my attendance recorded?
Your attendance is recorded automatically when you join your class through the class link. However, how your attendance is recorded will depend on what time you click on the class link:
- If you join within 15 minutes of the start → you will be marked as “Attended”.
- If you join 15–30 minutes after the start → you will be marked as marked “Late”.
- If you join more than 30 minutes after the start → you will be marked as “Absent”.
If you join late, you will still count as attended in your overall attendance percentage.
When is the earliest I can join my class?
The earliest you can join your class is 15 minutes before the scheduled start. If you try to join before that, you may be able to access your class, but your attendance will not be recorded.
What happens if I join late?
- If you join within 15 minutes of the start → you will be marked as “Attended”.
- If you join 15–30 minutes after the start → you will be marked as marked “Late”.
- If you join more than 30 minutes after the start → you will be marked as “Absent”.
If you join late, you will still count as attended in your overall attendance percentage.
What should I do if I can’t attend a class?
The same rules apply for both online and in-person classes:
- Absences up to 7 consecutive days → No formal process required, though repeated absences may result in follow-up from your School.
- Absences of 8 days or more → You must submit an Authorised Absence request through the SEAtS student mobile app. Supporting evidence (e.g. a medical letter) will be required. To do this:
- Click the ‘Requests’ section at the bottom of the app
- Click the blue plus (+) icon
- You will be directed to submit a new request, select ‘Absence’
- Fill in the form accordingly, attaching your supporting evidence and press ‘Send’
In all cases, make sure you catch up on missed learning via Moodle and contact your Module Leader if you need additional support.
Technical Issues
What should I do if I lose connection during class?
If you experience any technical issues, try closing any windows that were on the platform and try accessing the website again via a new and fresh browser window (Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge preferable).
If the issues persist, please complete our technical support form so our IT team can investigate further and email the SPGA Attendance team to have your attendance record updated, and use the emergency links on Moodle to access your online class.
What should I do if the class link in SEAtS isn’t working?
If the class link in your Count Me In (SEAtS) calendar is not working, please close any windows or tabs that may have previously been open on the platform. Then, try accessing the link again using a new browser window (Google Chrome or Microsoft Edge are recommended).
If you try to use a browser window that has been logged into the platform for a long time, your session may have expired. This can cause the page to freeze or become unresponsive, which can prevent you from accessing your online classes.
- If using Safari, please turn off “Prevent Cross-Site Tracking".
- Avoid private/incognito mode or VPNs, as these block login tokens.
If the page is unresponsive or does not display any data, manually enter the URL below into a new browser window, or try a different browser:
https://city.seats.cloud/angular/#/me?tab=Profile
and go to the Calendar section, select your online class, and click ‘Watch’. This should open Microsoft Teams.
If the class link is still not working, use the emergency link provided on your module Moodle page. This should only be used for technical issues — joining via the links on Moodle will not register your attendance and you will be marked as “absent”.
If using the emergency links, please complete our technical support form so our IT team can investigate further and email the SPGA Attendance team to have your attendance record updated.
What should I do if my attendance hasn’t registered?
If you joined your online class via the Count Me In (SEAtS) platform within the attendance registration window, your attendance will usually be confirmed immediately in the SEAtS mobile app. In some cases, however, it can take up to 24 hours for your attendance to appear.
Please allow up to 24 hours and check again. If your attendance is still not showing after this time, contact the SPGA Attendance team, and we will be happy to assist.
Why can’t I log in to Count Me In (SEAtS)?
This may be because you haven’t completed your registration. Please complete registration and collect your Student ID card. If you have already done this and still cannot log in, please contact the SPGA Attendance team at spga-attendance@citystgeorges.ac.uk.
Why can’t I see my online class in the Count Me In (SEAtS) calendar?
If your class is missing, it usually means you haven’t been allocated correctly. Please contact your Course Officer, who can resolve this.
Need some more help? Get in touch
If you do not find the answer you are looking for or need any further support, we're here to help!
If you are experiencing any issues, please complete our technical support form so our IT team can investigate further and email the SPGA Attendance team to have your attendance record updated.
For further support, please get in touch with the SPGA Attendance team and we will be able to help you from there.