BE WHO YOU WANT TO BE: Top tips for applying via Clearing

Recruitment Coordinator, Emily Day shares her top tips on A-level Results Day for applying to university via Clearing.

Results Day is a mix of emotions for everyone, years of work all come down to seeing your grades on this very day. It might seem easy for us to say this, but if the outcome isn’t what you expect please don’t worry! Help and support are on hand. Here are our top tips for preparing for your results and next steps.

Let your emotions out

First things first, let the emotions out! Tears - whether they be tears of joy or disappointment it is ok to have feelings and to take a moment to process them before thinking about the next steps.

Explore your options

Talk to the staff at your school or college, your friends, and your parents about what your next steps are. Staff in your school will have dealt with similar situations to yours many times and will be able to help and offer some advice.

Websites such as UCAS have dedicated web pages that can help you understand your options. There is support on university websites on how to apply via Clearing if you have a particular university in mind.

Get in touch

You can also call the university hotline on 01902 518585 to speak to one of our friendly advisors who are here to help and support you.

When you are ready to call, it will be helpful to know what course(s) you are interested in and to have your results to hand.

We recommend also having your GCSE results as well as the results you got today.

When contacting the Clearing hotline, have your UCAS ID (if you have one) ready to provide us as well as your contact information such as your phone number and email address. 

Once we have all this information, it will be easier for us to find out what we are able to offer you according to the spaces we have available.

Check everything

Got a place? Congratulations! If the university can make you an offer, they will send this via email. Firstly, check you received the offer – don’t forget to check your junk folder too!

Then check over the information is correct. This email will contain lots of information including what to do next, read this carefully. You might need to attend an interview and send in your qualifications or submit further information in order to proceed with your offer.  

Add your choice on UCAS

Your offer email should have information about how to add your choice to your UCAS Hub. You will be able to do this after 3pm on Thursday 18^th August.

Take your time to make your decision, as you can only make one final choice on UCAS and it is an important decision.

However, it is worth remembering that places can fill up so once you have made your decision, add this as soon as possible. To help you make your decision lots of events will be taking place over the next few days. If you can visit the university and get a feel for the place.

Visit your university

If possible, pop along and visit the university you’re applying to. Our next Open Day is this Saturday (August 20). Book your place here and find out everything you need to know before you join us in September.

There will also be our team on-hand supporting with Clearing applications on the day.

Ask questions

Remember to ask questions about the course, the university, accommodation, and whatever is important to you when making this decision. We are all here to help you make an informed decision about your future.

Be proud

Whatever the outcome, be proud of yourself, celebrate your achievements and we wish you all the very best for the future.

Good luck!