Thinking of using Clearing? Read our top tips

In uncertain times it is comforting to know that there is help out there so you can make sense of your A-Level results and assess your university options.

Generally speaking, students use Clearing because they don't quite make the entry requirements for their course. But this year, perhaps more than ever, we could see students using it to help them find places where they feel most comfortable. They might be feeling a little anxious or unsure about moving away to university and would like to find a place a little closer to home.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is the tool that universities and colleges use to fill places they have on their courses before the start of the academic year.

It opens from 6th July – 20th October, and you can apply for a course using Clearing if you're not already holding an offer from a university or college, and the course still has places. You can use Clearing if you're only just applying to university (anything after 30th June), you didn't receive any offers, you didn't meet the entry criteria, or you declined your offer.

Thinking of using Clearing? Here are our top tips.

1) Utilise our careers team - they're here to help.

If things don't quite go to plan on Thursday 13th August, then our careers team is there to support and guide you. Give them a call, send an email, or arrange a video call, and they'll be able to chat with you and help you to see all of your options no matter what scenario you find yourself in. There are also UCAS advisors available on the day to offer advice, although phone lines and online chats may be busy, so you'll have to be patient.

2) Check out your options on UCAS.

If you're really not sure about moving away to uni, then you don't have to wait until results day to find a new course. Clearing is open now, and you can browse all the available courses on UCAS.com. However, if you currently hold an offer, you will need to self-release into Clearing. There is nothing wrong with keeping your options open, but make sure there are places available before declining any offers as you could end up without a place altogether.

If things don't quite go to plan on results day and you miss your entry requirements, then you can search for other courses that match your grades. There are thousands of student stories out there that say changing direction thanks to Clearing is the best thing they've ever done. But if you're really set on going to your first choice, you can try calling them to explain your grades and see if they can still accept you.

Perhaps you haven't applied to uni yet and wanted to see the outcome of your results - well that's fine too. Our careers team can help you set up your UCAS profile so you can apply through Clearing. In some instances, you might be able to call and apply directly to the university of your choice.

3) Do some research before results day.

If you're considering using the Clearing tool, then do some research on courses and unis before results day. Visit websites, check out their social media channels, and watch videos on YouTube to see what the uni and course are like so you can get a good feel for the place. Think about what studying will be like this year, is there blended learning available? Is there extra support?

4) You may have more negotiating power than you think.

If you are using Clearing to switch unis, then give their admissions team a call. Be confident when you call and tell them that you'd really like to study at their university. Explain your situation, ask any important questions you have, and then ask them if they will accept you onto their course. The Covid-19 pandemic has flipped everything upside down this year, and some unis may suffer financially as a result. That could mean they are less likely to turn you away.

Did better than you thought?

You may have exceeded your expectations and got better A-Level results than you predicted, in which case you can use Adjustment to find an alternative course.

Have an offer but would rather start next year?

If you're still not sure about starting university in 2020, then you still have time to defer your place until next year. However, you'll need to call your university directly to let them know what you're planning to do.