Matthew Whelan, BSc (Hons) Biomedical Science

I first applied to Cardiff Met in the hope of gaining a place on the BSc Healthcare Science programme. There were a very limited number places on offer, and for a number of reasons I only had chance to put in my application just after results day.

Sadly, I soon found out my application had been declined – there were no longer any places left. I felt like my world had ended. That was it – I might as well give up for now, as it’d be another year before I’d have the chance to get a place on the course I wanted.

But after some comforting and consultation from my family and a couple of really deep breaths, I made the decision to turn my attention to clearing.

It may seem like the last thing anyone wants to do after receiving a bunch of declined applications, but I really encourage anyone in that position to make the effort to go through it.

I didn’t think I’d be successful, but thankfully I was very wrong. After phoning in to Cardiff Met’s admissions department and talking through my dilemma and what degree I was looking for, I was put on the phone with the programme leader.

She talked me through the similar BSc Biomedical

Science degree. She explained that many of the modules and their content would be similar, and there would still be lots of laboratory practical sessions.

After a bit more discussion, the programme leader then said she was more than happy to offer me a place through clearing on the biomedical sciences degree.

I’ve had an amazing first year at Cardiff Met, and I’m so thankful that I took the time to go through clearing. I enthusiastically urge anyone faced with no place at the start of clearing to go for it – you may find the exact degree you were looking for.