Nationally over 30,000 students go through the clearing process every year.Although many may not want to think about not getting the results they are hoping for, it is best to be prepared and know what their options are.
Connexions Careers Advisors can offer free and impartial advice about clearing. Contact Connexions Direct on 080 800 13 2 19
or call into your local Connexions Centre.
igen has provided a step by step guide to clearing for all students who are waiting for A Level results:
What is Clearing?
Clearing matches applicants who have not secured a higher education place with suitable courses.It begins in mid July although most vacancy information is not made available until A level results are published on 20 August.
How will I know if I am eligible?
You will be eligible providing that you originally applied for more than one course and you are not holding any offers; or if you applied to UCAS after June 30th; or if your offers were not confirmed when results were announced.
You will need to check your eligibility using the Track Service on the UCAS website.If you are eligible an “Add Clearing choice” button will appear on your Track “choices” page. Unlike previous years, you will not receive anything through the post.All offers and acceptances will be made and confirmed online.
Changed offers
If you receive a changed course offer it means that your university has made you an alternative offer because you did not meet the original offer conditions.This could be a place on a different course, an altered start date etc.If you are not holding a firm offer, you will have five days to respond to the changed offer through the Track Service on the UCAS website www.ucas.com.
What should I do?
If you are eligible for Clearing, you should consider:
- Do I really want to go into HE ?
- Are my original priorities still valid?
- Can I gain entry to a degree?
- Is a HND or Foundation Degree more appropriate?
- Was my original course choice realistic?
- Could I get a place on the same course at a less popular institution?
- Should I take a year out?
- Should I re-sit?
If you decide to go ahead with Clearing get access to up to date vacancy lists (www.ucas.com, Independent Newspaper) and short list vacancies you might consider. Make a checklist of questions to ask Admission tutors.Visit your school, college or local Connexions Hub to access HE research materials.
Finally contact courses in which you are seriously interested.Remember phones will be busy so keep on trying.
