diff --git a/course/classes/management/helper.php b/course/classes/management/helper.php
index 9a02d19c83541..14de49b4d5a2f 100644
--- a/course/classes/management/helper.php
+++ b/course/classes/management/helper.php
@@ -221,12 +221,22 @@ public static function get_category_listitem_actions(\coursecat $category) {
             $actions['resortbyname'] = array(
                 'url' => new \moodle_url($baseurl, array('action' => 'resortcategories', 'resort' => 'name')),
                 'icon' => new \pix_icon('t/sort', new \lang_string('sort')),
-                'string' => new \lang_string('resortsubcategoriesbyname', 'moodle')
+                'string' => new \lang_string('resortsubcategoriesby', 'moodle' , get_string('categoryname'))
+            );
+            $actions['resortbynamedesc'] = array(
+                'url' => new \moodle_url($baseurl, array('action' => 'resortcategories', 'resort' => 'namedesc')),
+                'icon' => new \pix_icon('t/sort', new \lang_string('sort')),
+                'string' => new \lang_string('resortsubcategoriesbyreverse', 'moodle', get_string('categoryname'))
             );
             $actions['resortbyidnumber'] = array(
                 'url' => new \moodle_url($baseurl, array('action' => 'resortcategories', 'resort' => 'idnumber')),
                 'icon' => new \pix_icon('t/sort', new \lang_string('sort')),
-                'string' => new \lang_string('resortsubcategoriesbyidnumber', 'moodle')
+                'string' => new \lang_string('resortsubcategoriesby', 'moodle', get_string('idnumbercoursecategory'))
+            );
+            $actions['resortbyidnumberdesc'] = array(
+                'url' => new \moodle_url($baseurl, array('action' => 'resortcategories', 'resort' => 'idnumberdesc')),
+                'icon' => new \pix_icon('t/sort', new \lang_string('sort')),
+                'string' => new \lang_string('resortsubcategoriesbyreverse', 'moodle', get_string('idnumbercoursecategory'))
             );
         }
 
diff --git a/course/classes/management_renderer.php b/course/classes/management_renderer.php
index 530d507c108e9..6ed18dd0bb97c 100644
--- a/course/classes/management_renderer.php
+++ b/course/classes/management_renderer.php
@@ -407,8 +407,10 @@ public function category_bulk_actions(coursecat $category = null) {
             $form .= html_writer::div(
                 html_writer::select(
                     array(
-                        'name' => get_string('sortcategoriesbyname'),
-                        'idnumber' => get_string('sortcategoriesbyidnumber'),
+                        'name' => get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('categoryname')),
+                        'namedesc' => get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('categoryname')),
+                        'idnumber' => get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('idnumbercoursecategory')),
+                        'idnumberdesc' => get_string('sortbyxreverse' , 'moodle' , get_string('idnumbercoursecategory')),
                         'none' => get_string('dontsortcategories')
                     ),
                     'resortcategoriesby',
@@ -420,9 +422,14 @@ public function category_bulk_actions(coursecat $category = null) {
             $form .= html_writer::div(
                 html_writer::select(
                     array(
-                        'fullname' => get_string('sortcoursesbyfullname'),
-                        'shortname' => get_string('sortcoursesbyshortname'),
-                        'idnumber' => get_string('sortcoursesbyidnumber'),
+                        'fullname' => get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('fullnamecourse')),
+                        'fullnamedesc' => get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('fullnamecourse')),
+                        'shortname' => get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('shortnamecourse')),
+                        'shortnamedesc' => get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('shortnamecourse')),
+                        'idnumber' => get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('idnumbercourse')),
+                        'idnumberdesc' => get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('idnumbercourse')),
+                        'timecreated' => get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('timecreatedcourse')),
+                        'timecreateddesc' => get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('timecreatedcourse')),
                         'none' => get_string('dontsortcourses')
                     ),
                     'resortcoursesby',
@@ -676,12 +683,38 @@ public function course_listing_actions(coursecat $category, course_in_list $cour
             $params['sesskey'] = sesskey();
             $baseurl = new moodle_url('/course/management.php', $params);
             $fullnameurl = new moodle_url($baseurl, array('resort' => 'fullname'));
+            $fullnameurldesc = new moodle_url($baseurl, array('resort' => 'fullnamedesc'));
             $shortnameurl = new moodle_url($baseurl, array('resort' => 'shortname'));
+            $shortnameurldesc = new moodle_url($baseurl, array('resort' => 'shortnamedesc'));
             $idnumberurl = new moodle_url($baseurl, array('resort' => 'idnumber'));
+            $idnumberdescurl = new moodle_url($baseurl, array('resort' => 'idnumberdesc'));
+            $timecreatedurl = new moodle_url($baseurl, array('resort' => 'timecreated'));
+            $timecreateddescurl = new moodle_url($baseurl, array('resort' => 'timecreateddesc'));
             $menu = new action_menu(array(
-                new action_menu_link_secondary($fullnameurl, null, get_string('resortbyfullname')),
-                new action_menu_link_secondary($shortnameurl, null, get_string('resortbyshortname')),
-                new action_menu_link_secondary($idnumberurl, null, get_string('resortbyidnumber'))
+                new action_menu_link_secondary($fullnameurl,
+                                               null,
+                                               get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('fullnamecourse'))),
+                new action_menu_link_secondary($fullnameurldesc,
+                                               null,
+                                               get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('fullnamecourse'))),
+                new action_menu_link_secondary($shortnameurl,
+                                               null,
+                                               get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('shortnamecourse'))),
+                new action_menu_link_secondary($shortnameurldesc,
+                                               null,
+                                               get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('shortnamecourse'))),
+                new action_menu_link_secondary($idnumberurl,
+                                               null,
+                                               get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('idnumbercourse'))),
+                new action_menu_link_secondary($idnumberdescurl,
+                                               null,
+                                               get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('idnumbercourse'))),
+                new action_menu_link_secondary($timecreatedurl,
+                                               null,
+                                               get_string('sortbyx', 'moodle', get_string('timecreatedcourse'))),
+                new action_menu_link_secondary($timecreateddescurl,
+                                               null,
+                                               get_string('sortbyxreverse', 'moodle', get_string('timecreatedcourse')))
             ));
             $menu->set_menu_trigger(get_string('resortcourses'));
             $actions[] = $this->render($menu);
diff --git a/course/lib.php b/course/lib.php
index ffde87bd8f454..1915299f59fa4 100644
--- a/course/lib.php
+++ b/course/lib.php
@@ -2517,7 +2517,8 @@ function create_course($data, $editoroptions = NULL) {
         }
     }
 
-    $data->timecreated  = time();
+    // Check if timecreated is given.
+    $data->timecreated  = !empty($data->timecreated) ? $data->timecreated : time();
     $data->timemodified = $data->timecreated;
 
     // place at beginning of any category
diff --git a/course/management.php b/course/management.php
index b87b74f599057..85a2494f3f453 100644
--- a/course/management.php
+++ b/course/management.php
@@ -354,10 +354,14 @@
                     // They're not sorting anything.
                     break;
                 }
-                if (!in_array($sortcategoriesby, array('idnumber', 'name'))) {
+                if (!in_array($sortcategoriesby, array('idnumber', 'idnumberdesc',
+                                                       'name', 'namedesc'))) {
                     $sortcategoriesby = false;
                 }
-                if (!in_array($sortcoursesby, array('idnumber', 'fullname', 'shortname'))) {
+                if (!in_array($sortcoursesby, array('timecreated', 'timecreateddesc',
+                                                    'idnumber', 'idnumberdesc',
+                                                    'fullname', 'fullnamedesc',
+                                                    'shortname', 'shortnamedesc'))) {
                     $sortcoursesby = false;
                 }
 
diff --git a/course/tests/behat/category_resort.feature b/course/tests/behat/category_resort.feature
index 01d6857466d6d..781186ad72d76 100644
--- a/course/tests/behat/category_resort.feature
+++ b/course/tests/behat/category_resort.feature
@@ -25,8 +25,10 @@ Feature: Test we can resort categories in the management interface.
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | cat1 | cat2 | cat3 |
-    | "Sort categories by name"       | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "Sort categories by ID number"   | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category name ascending"       | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Category name descending"      | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category ID number ascending"  | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category ID number descending" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
 
   Scenario Outline: Test bulk sorting current category.
     Given the following "categories" exist:
@@ -52,8 +54,10 @@ Feature: Test we can resort categories in the management interface.
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | cat1 | cat2 | cat3 |
-    | "Sort categories by name"       | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "Sort categories by ID number"   | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category name ascending"       | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Category name descending"      | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category ID number ascending"  | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category ID number descending" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
 
   Scenario Outline: Test resorting subcategories.
     Given the following "categories" exist:
@@ -77,8 +81,10 @@ Feature: Test we can resort categories in the management interface.
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | cat1 | cat2 | cat3 |
-    | "resortbyname"            | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "resortbyidnumber"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyname"         | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "resortbynamedesc"     | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyidnumber"     | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyidnumberdesc" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
 
   @javascript
   Scenario Outline: Test resorting subcategories with JS enabled.
@@ -103,8 +109,10 @@ Feature: Test we can resort categories in the management interface.
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | cat1 | cat2 | cat3 |
-    | "resortbyname"            | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "resortbyidnumber"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyname"         | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "resortbynamedesc"     | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyidnumber"     | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyidnumberdesc" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
 
   # The scenario below this is the same but with JS enabled.
   Scenario: Test moving categories up and down by one.
diff --git a/course/tests/behat/course_category_management_listing.feature b/course/tests/behat/course_category_management_listing.feature
index 818619b57ffb7..a07af93660103 100644
--- a/course/tests/behat/course_category_management_listing.feature
+++ b/course/tests/behat/course_category_management_listing.feature
@@ -255,8 +255,10 @@ Feature: Course category management interface performs as expected
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | cat1 | cat2 | cat3 |
-    | "Sort categories by name"       | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "Sort categories by ID number"   | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category name ascending"       | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Category name descending"      | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category ID number ascending"  | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Category ID number descending" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
 
   @javascript
   Scenario Outline: Sub categories are displayed correctly when resorted
@@ -281,8 +283,10 @@ Feature: Course category management interface performs as expected
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | cat1 | cat2 | cat3 |
-    | "resortbyname"            | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "resortbyidnumber"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyname"         | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "resortbynamedesc"     | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyidnumber"     | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "resortbyidnumberdesc" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
 
   @javascript
   Scenario Outline: Test courses are displayed correctly after being resorted.
@@ -290,10 +294,10 @@ Feature: Course category management interface performs as expected
       | name | category 0| idnumber |
       | Cat 1 | 0 | CAT1 |
     And the following "courses" exist:
-      | category | fullname | shortname | idnumber | sortorder |
-      | CAT1 | Social studies | Senior school | Ext003 | 1 |
-      | CAT1 | Applied sciences  | Middle school | Sci001 | 2 |
-      | CAT1 | Extended social studies  | Junior school | Ext002 | 3 |
+      | category | fullname | shortname | idnumber | sortorder | timecreated |
+      | CAT1 | Social studies | Senior school | Ext003 | 1 | 10000000001 |
+      | CAT1 | Applied sciences  | Middle school | Sci001 | 2 | 10000000002 |
+      | CAT1 | Extended social studies  | Junior school | Ext002 | 3 | 10000000003 |
 
     And I log in as "admin"
     And I go to the courses management page
@@ -302,9 +306,14 @@ Feature: Course category management interface performs as expected
   # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I click on "Sort courses" "link"
-    And I should see "By fullname" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should see "By shortname" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should see "By idnumber" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course full name ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course full name descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course short name ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course short name descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course ID number ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course ID number descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course time created ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course time created descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     And I click on <sortby> "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
   # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
@@ -313,9 +322,14 @@ Feature: Course category management interface performs as expected
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | course1 | course2 | course3 |
-    | "By fullname"        | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "By shortname"       | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
-    | "By idnumber"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course full name ascending"     | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course full name descending"    | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course short name ascending"    | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course short name descending"   | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course ID number ascending"     | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course ID number descending"    | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course time created ascending"  | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course time created descending" | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
 
   @javascript
   Scenario: Test course pagination
@@ -344,7 +358,7 @@ Feature: Course category management interface performs as expected
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I click on "Sort courses" "link"
-    And I click on "By idnumber" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I click on "Sort by Course ID number ascending" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     # Redirect.
     And I should see "Per page: 20" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     And I should see course listing "Course 1" before "Course 2"
@@ -527,7 +541,7 @@ Feature: Course category management interface performs as expected
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I click on "Sort courses" "link"
-    And I click on "By idnumber" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I click on "Sort by Course ID number ascending" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     # Redirect.
     And I should see "Per page: 20" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     And I should see course listing "Course 1" before "Course 2"
@@ -592,7 +606,7 @@ Feature: Course category management interface performs as expected
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I click on "Sort courses" "link"
-    And I click on "By idnumber" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I click on "Sort by Course ID number ascending" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I should see "Per page: 20" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
diff --git a/course/tests/behat/course_resort.feature b/course/tests/behat/course_resort.feature
index b530e5b633a4e..9cb31a97fe0f0 100644
--- a/course/tests/behat/course_resort.feature
+++ b/course/tests/behat/course_resort.feature
@@ -10,10 +10,10 @@ Feature: Test we can resort course in the management interface.
       | name | category 0| idnumber |
       | Cat 1 | 0 | CAT1 |
     And the following "courses" exist:
-      | category | fullname | shortname | idnumber | sortorder |
-      | CAT1 | Social studies | Senior school | Ext003 | 1 |
-      | CAT1 | Applied sciences  | Middle school | Sci001 | 2 |
-      | CAT1 | Extended social studies  | Junior school | Ext002 | 3 |
+      | category | fullname | shortname | idnumber | sortorder | timecreated |
+      | CAT1 | Social studies | Senior school | Ext003 | 1 | 10000000001 |
+      | CAT1 | Applied sciences  | Middle school | Sci001 | 2 | 10000000002 |
+      | CAT1 | Extended social studies  | Junior school | Ext002 | 3 | 10000000003 |
 
     And I log in as "admin"
     And I go to the courses management page
@@ -22,9 +22,14 @@ Feature: Test we can resort course in the management interface.
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I should see "Sort courses" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should see "By fullname" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should see "By shortname" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should see "By idnumber" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course full name ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course full name descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course short name ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course short name descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course ID number ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course ID number descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course time created ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course time created descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     And I click on <sortby> "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
@@ -33,9 +38,14 @@ Feature: Test we can resort course in the management interface.
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | course1 | course2 | course3 |
-    | "By fullname"        | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "By shortname"       | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
-    | "By idnumber"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course full name ascending"     | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course full name descending"    | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course short name ascending"    | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course short name descending"   | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course ID number ascending"     | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course ID number descending"    | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course time created ascending"  | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course time created descending" | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
 
   @javascript
   Scenario Outline: Resort courses with JavaScript enabled.
@@ -43,10 +53,10 @@ Feature: Test we can resort course in the management interface.
       | name | category 0| idnumber |
       | Cat 1 | 0 | CAT1 |
     And the following "courses" exist:
-      | category | fullname | shortname | idnumber | sortorder |
-      | CAT1 | Social studies | Senior school | Ext003 | 1 |
-      | CAT1 | Applied sciences  | Middle school | Sci001 | 2 |
-      | CAT1 | Extended social studies  | Junior school | Ext002 | 3 |
+      | category | fullname | shortname | idnumber | sortorder | timecreated |
+      | CAT1 | Social studies | Senior school | Ext003 | 1 | 10000000001 |
+      | CAT1 | Applied sciences  | Middle school | Sci001 | 2 | 10000000002 |
+      | CAT1 | Extended social studies  | Junior school | Ext002 | 3 | 10000000003 |
 
     And I log in as "admin"
     And I go to the courses management page
@@ -55,13 +65,23 @@ Feature: Test we can resort course in the management interface.
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I should see "Sort courses" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should not see "By fullname" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should not see "By shortname" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should not see "By idnumber" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should not see "Sort by Course full name ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should not see "Sort by Course full name descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should not see "Sort by Course short name ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should not see "Sort by Course short name descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should not see "Sort by Course ID number ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should not see "Sort by Course ID number descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should not see "Sort by Course time created ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should not see "Sort by Course time created descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     And I click on "Sort courses" "link"
-    And I should see "By fullname" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should see "By shortname" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
-    And I should see "By idnumber" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course full name ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course full name descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course short name ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course short name descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course ID number ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course ID number descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course time created ascending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I should see "Sort by Course time created descending" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     And I click on <sortby> "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
@@ -70,9 +90,14 @@ Feature: Test we can resort course in the management interface.
 
   Examples:
     | sortby | course1 | course2 | course3 |
-    | "By fullname"        | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
-    | "By shortname"       | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
-    | "By idnumber"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course full name ascending"     | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course full name descending"    | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course short name ascending"    | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course short name descending"   | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course ID number ascending"     | "Extended social studies" | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences" |
+    | "Sort by Course ID number descending"    | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies"          | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course time created ascending"  | "Social studies"          | "Applied sciences"        | "Extended social studies" |
+    | "Sort by Course time created descending" | "Extended social studies" | "Applied sciences"        | "Social studies" |
 
   Scenario: Test moving courses up and down by one.
     Given the following "categories" exist:
@@ -93,7 +118,7 @@ Feature: Test we can resort course in the management interface.
     And I should see "Course categories" in the "#category-listing h3" "css_element"
     And I should see "Cat 1" in the "#category-listing" "css_element"
     And I click on "Sort courses" "link"
-    And I click on "By idnumber" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I click on "Sort by Course ID number ascending" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I should see course listing "Course 1" before "Course 2"
@@ -130,7 +155,7 @@ Feature: Test we can resort course in the management interface.
     And I should see "Course categories" in the "#category-listing h3" "css_element"
     And I should see "Cat 1" in the "#category-listing" "css_element"
     And I click on "Sort courses" "link"
-    And I click on "By idnumber" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
+    And I click on "Sort by Course ID number ascending" "link" in the ".course-listing-actions" "css_element"
     # Redirect.
     And I should see the "Course categories and courses" management page
     And I should see course listing "Course 1" before "Course 2"
diff --git a/lang/en/moodle.php b/lang/en/moodle.php
index c74e820ee0783..61130db08e20f 100644
--- a/lang/en/moodle.php
+++ b/lang/en/moodle.php
@@ -1513,12 +1513,9 @@
 $string['resetstatus'] = 'Status';
 $string['resettask'] = 'Task';
 $string['resettodefaults'] = 'Reset to defaults';
-$string['resortsubcategoriesbyname'] = 'Sort subcategories by name';
-$string['resortsubcategoriesbyidnumber'] = 'Sort subcategories by idnumber';
+$string['resortsubcategoriesby'] = 'Sort subcategories by {$a} ascending';
+$string['resortsubcategoriesbyreverse'] = 'Sort subcategories by {$a} descending';
 $string['resortcourses'] = 'Sort courses';
-$string['resortbyshortname'] = 'By shortname';
-$string['resortbyfullname'] = 'By fullname';
-$string['resortbyidnumber'] = 'By idnumber';
 $string['resource'] = 'Resource';
 $string['resourcedisplayauto'] = 'Automatic';
 $string['resourcedisplaydownload'] = 'Force download';
@@ -1724,11 +1721,6 @@
 $string['sortby'] = 'Sort by';
 $string['sortbyx'] = 'Sort by {$a} ascending';
 $string['sortbyxreverse'] = 'Sort by {$a} descending';
-$string['sortcategoriesbyname'] = 'Sort categories by name';
-$string['sortcategoriesbyidnumber'] = 'Sort categories by ID number';
-$string['sortcoursesbyfullname'] = 'Sort courses by full name';
-$string['sortcoursesbyshortname'] = 'Sort courses by short name';
-$string['sortcoursesbyidnumber'] = 'Sort courses by ID number';
 $string['sorting'] = 'Sorting';
 $string['sourcerole'] = 'Source role';
 $string['specifyname'] = 'You must specify a name.';
@@ -1822,6 +1814,7 @@
 $string['thiscategory'] = 'This category';
 $string['thiscategorycontains'] = 'This category contains';
 $string['time'] = 'Time';
+$string['timecreatedcourse'] = 'Course time created';
 $string['timezone'] = 'Timezone';
 $string['to'] = 'To';
 $string['tocreatenewaccount'] = 'Skip to create new account';
diff --git a/lib/coursecatlib.php b/lib/coursecatlib.php
index d96f582da3b50..0bf08f6a18c1e 100644
--- a/lib/coursecatlib.php
+++ b/lib/coursecatlib.php
@@ -258,7 +258,7 @@ public static function get($id, $strictness = MUST_EXIST, $alwaysreturnhidden =
             return $coursecat;
         } else {
             if ($strictness == MUST_EXIST) {
-                throw new moodle_exception('unknowcategory');
+                throw new moodle_exception('unknowncategory');
             }
         }
         return null;
@@ -2441,18 +2441,26 @@ public function can_restore_courses_into() {
     /**
      * Resorts the sub categories of this category by the given field.
      *
-     * @param string $field
+     * @param string $field One of name, idnumber or descending values of each (appended desc)
      * @param bool $cleanup If true cleanup will be done, if false you will need to do it manually later.
      * @return bool True on success.
      * @throws coding_exception
      */
     public function resort_subcategories($field, $cleanup = true) {
         global $DB;
+        $desc = false;
+        if (substr($field, -4) === "desc") {
+            $desc = true;
+            $field = substr($field, 0, -4);  // Remove "desc" from field name.
+        }
         if ($field !== 'name' && $field !== 'idnumber') {
             throw new coding_exception('Invalid field requested');
         }
         $children = $this->get_children();
         core_collator::asort_objects_by_property($children, $field, core_collator::SORT_NATURAL);
+        if (!empty($desc)) {
+            $children = array_reverse($children);
+        }
         $i = 1;
         foreach ($children as $cat) {
             $i++;
@@ -2481,14 +2489,19 @@ public static function resort_categories_cleanup($includecourses = false) {
     /**
      * Resort the courses within this category by the given field.
      *
-     * @param string $field One of fullname, shortname or idnumber
+     * @param string $field One of fullname, shortname, idnumber or descending values of each (appended desc)
      * @param bool $cleanup
      * @return bool True for success.
      * @throws coding_exception
      */
     public function resort_courses($field, $cleanup = true) {
         global $DB;
-        if ($field !== 'fullname' && $field !== 'shortname' && $field !== 'idnumber') {
+        $desc = false;
+        if (substr($field, -4) === "desc") {
+            $desc = true;
+            $field = substr($field, 0, -4);  // Remove "desc" from field name.
+        }
+        if ($field !== 'fullname' && $field !== 'shortname' && $field !== 'idnumber' && $field !== 'timecreated') {
             // This is ultra important as we use $field in an SQL statement below this.
             throw new coding_exception('Invalid field requested');
         }
@@ -2497,8 +2510,7 @@ public function resort_courses($field, $cleanup = true) {
                   FROM {course} c
              LEFT JOIN {context} ctx ON ctx.instanceid = c.id
                  WHERE ctx.contextlevel = :ctxlevel AND
-                       c.category = :categoryid
-              ORDER BY c.{$field}, c.sortorder";
+                       c.category = :categoryid";
         $params = array(
             'ctxlevel' => CONTEXT_COURSE,
             'categoryid' => $this->id
@@ -2527,6 +2539,9 @@ public function resort_courses($field, $cleanup = true) {
             }
             // Sort the courses.
             core_collator::asort_objects_by_property($courses, 'sortby', core_collator::SORT_NATURAL);
+            if (!empty($desc)) {
+                $courses = array_reverse($courses);
+            }
             $i = 1;
             foreach ($courses as $course) {
                 $DB->set_field('course', 'sortorder', $this->sortorder + $i, array('id' => $course->id));
diff --git a/lib/tests/coursecatlib_test.php b/lib/tests/coursecatlib_test.php
index b4b81809213b8..0aa637b6b6daf 100644
--- a/lib/tests/coursecatlib_test.php
+++ b/lib/tests/coursecatlib_test.php
@@ -395,25 +395,29 @@ public function test_resort_courses() {
             'category' => $category->id,
             'idnumber' => '006-01',
             'shortname' => 'Biome Study',
-            'fullname' => '<span lang="ar" class="multilang">'.'دراسة منطقة إحيائية'.'</span><span lang="en" class="multilang">Biome Study</span>'
+            'fullname' => '<span lang="ar" class="multilang">'.'دراسة منطقة إحيائية'.'</span><span lang="en" class="multilang">Biome Study</span>',
+            'timecreated' => '10000000001'
         ));
         $course2 = $generator->create_course(array(
             'category' => $category->id,
             'idnumber' => '007-02',
             'shortname' => 'Chemistry Revision',
-            'fullname' => 'Chemistry Revision'
+            'fullname' => 'Chemistry Revision',
+            'timecreated' => '10000000002'
         ));
         $course3 = $generator->create_course(array(
             'category' => $category->id,
             'idnumber' => '007-03',
             'shortname' => 'Swiss Rolls and Sunflowers',
-            'fullname' => 'Aarkvarks guide to Swiss Rolls and Sunflowers'
+            'fullname' => 'Aarkvarks guide to Swiss Rolls and Sunflowers',
+            'timecreated' => '10000000003'
         ));
         $course4 = $generator->create_course(array(
             'category' => $category->id,
             'idnumber' => '006-04',
             'shortname' => 'Scratch',
-            'fullname' => '<a href="test.php">Basic Scratch</a>'
+            'fullname' => '<a href="test.php">Basic Scratch</a>',
+            'timecreated' => '10000000004'
         ));
         $c1 = (int)$course1->id;
         $c2 = (int)$course2->id;
@@ -427,6 +431,8 @@ public function test_resort_courses() {
         $this->assertTrue($coursecat->resort_courses('shortname'));
         $this->assertSame(array($c1, $c2, $c4, $c3), array_keys($coursecat->get_courses()));
 
+        $this->assertTrue($coursecat->resort_courses('timecreated'));
+        $this->assertSame(array($c1, $c2, $c3, $c4), array_keys($coursecat->get_courses()));
 
         try {
             // Enable the multilang filter and set it to apply to headings and content.