Don’t panic if A-level results are not what you hoped for
AS STUDENTS ACROSS THE COUNTRY RECEIVE THEIR RESULTS THIS WEEK, NISHA MAL TELLS YOU WHAT TO DO IF THEY DON’T MAKE THE GRADE
PARENTS will be just as nervous as their children this week as they collect their long awaited exam results. But if they fail to get the grades they need for the first choice university – what should they do next?
“When A level results come out, more than three quarters of students who want to go to university are likely to get into their first choice. But not everyone will get their grades – and it doesn’t mean you won’t get a degree if you still want to,” says Ruth Sparkes editor of teen magazine, Future Mag.
According to Ucas, last year almost 68,000 students found their university place through Clearing, so they won’t be alone in exploring these options.
Helen Thorne, UCAS’ director of external relations says: “This summer we expect most universities and colleges to be offering Clearing places and there will be opportunities across the full range of subject choices.”
Dr Lisette Johnston, head of school at Screenspace, part of the Metfilm School in Ealing says: “Remember, don’t panic. It can feel like you’ve been winded and that there’s no hope for your child – but there is.
“Your child’s college or sixth form will want to do their best and most universities have a great Clearing process – there’s a lot of help out there.
“Don’t just persuade your child to take the first offer given to them.
“Encourage your child to talk to you and their friends. Sometimes just saying stuff out loud will help them (and you) to make sense of the best decision.”
The process opens from the beginning of July, but you’ll need to wait until you get your results before you can start applying. It closes in the middle of September, or when the course spaces are full.
Here’s everything you need to know about Clearing and how to use it.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR CLEARING?
IF YOU’RE applying for university last-minute, i.e. after June 30; if you didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept), or if you didn’t meet the conditions of your offers, you can go through Clearing.
Last year’s most popular course choices through Clearing were business studies, nursing, sciences, creative arts, engineering and law.
Some universities advertise course vacancies from July, while others wait until August 16, according to career advice publication Future Mag.
HOW DOES THE PROCESS WORK?
IF YOU had conditional offers but your exam results didn’t go to plan, you can use Clearing from results day, when vacancies will be listed in the UCAS tool, search.ucas.com
Clearing vacancies are updated regularly by universities and colleges. If you don’t find the course you’re looking for straight away, try again later.
You will need to complete all of the application as normal, including your personal statement, but you can’t add course choices.
Once you have submitted your application you will receive a welcome email to access the Track service – here you’ll find your Clearing number.
You can then follow the steps on the web page – use it to ask for advice, search for vacancies and contact universities to try to find a place. Once you have permission from a university you want to go to, you can add the course in Track.
You’ll know you’re in Clearing if your Track status says ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’.
If Track doesn’t say either of these yet, it might just be waiting for your results to update. Get in touch with the universities/colleges if it’s taking a while – they might still be considering you, even if your results are slightly lower than required.
If you originally only applied for one course for the reduced fee of £13, you’ll have to pay an additional £11 to apply for multiple courses, according to UCAS.
IS IT TOO LATE TO CHANGE THE COURSE OR UNIVERSITY I PICKED?
CLEARING can also be used by students who’ve changed their mind about their course or university choices.
You can also use the process if your exam results are better than expected and you want to apply elsewhere.
Annie Dobson, a Connexions
It can feel like you’ve been winded and that there’s no hope for your child – but there is. Dr Lisette Johnston
Personal Adviser at Prospects, says: “Try not to be swayed by the idea of going to what is considered a ‘better’ university.
“Take stock and review the whole picture before jumping ship.
“If you’re going to make the change ensure you get an offer, not only verbally but also in email from the university you want to move to, before asking to be released from your existing offer.”
The first thing to think about is why you have changed your mind, advises Annie.
“Again, knowledge is power and so you need to ask why? What is making you review the options, and are there even more options to look at while you are in this state of indecision, that might be even more suitable?
“Often people don’t really know what they want to do as a job at such a young age and so looking at taking a gap year or a more vocational road through apprenticeships or an HND (Higher National Diploma) can also be a great way of taking some time to work it out.”
WHAT ARE THE OTHER OPTIONS?
THE Government runs apprenticeships schemes as an alternative to university, so young people can learn and earn on the job.
It currently runs around 20 schemes, across all of its departments.
These include leadership and management, digital, operational delivery, and finance courses.
Aine Collins, a Government communications Service apprentice, says: “I realised I wanted to go straight into work but didn’t want to be held back by not having a degree.
“The Government Communications Scheme apprenticeship is great – I have a good salary, I am working towards a higher qualification, and I have begun my career.”
You can find vacancies across the country on the official website, civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk