It’s that time of year again – A-Level results day is August 13th and if you are one of the lucky students who performed better than expected, it may be time to consider clearing for a university place. What is it and how does it affect you? Here is a quick guide to what you can do to make sure you get one of those coveted last university places.
What is it and what does it mean?
University Clearing – or just “clearing” as it is usually referred, is the process of universities offering vacant course places to students who got better-than-expected A-Level results. Everyone who expects to get good results and don’t have a university place already should devote time to consider clearing as an option as soon as possible. The reason that clearing places exist in the first place is usually:
• Students who were offered places but opt to defer for a year
• Students who were offered conditional places but failed to make the required grades
• Students who were offered a place but got better grades than expected and were able to “trade up”
• Students who were offered a place (conditional or otherwise), but changed their mind about going
• Places that were never allocated in the first place due to unsuitability of applicants
You may find that your choice is limited – not because of your results, but because most places will have gone already (but it is important to remember that 10% of places are allocated during clearing – not exactly the scraps).
It’s important that when you have your results, to check out the devoted UCAS page as soon as possible to see what is available and which institutions would reasonably offer you one of those available places based on your grades and the spaces they have left.
Don’t Panic: Clearing is Also for Low Grades
A common misconception about clearing is that it is only for late applicants and those looking to “trade up” on better than expected grades. The truth is, if your grades were lower than expected, your dreams of going to university are not finished – assuming that the institution and your backup options withdraw their offers; this is where you may find another suitable course with lower requirements. The key is not to panic and take the time to consider clearing as an option.
Were You Lucky Enough to Use Adjustment?
Were you offered a university place at an institution or on a course with lower requirements because they you not expected to make the grade but achieved higher than expected? Your better grades will give you the extra clout to attempt to get onto a better course or a more prestigious university, and maybe even to get on the course you originally wished to study. Many students take the time to consider clearing in order to trade up on what they may study – the advice is to not leave it until the last minute.