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Clearing the way: QS Top Universities looks at the UK's clearing system
A-Level results are in, and while the press may herald tales of the 'unfailable' A-Level, making you feel like you're the only one who hasn't made the grade, the truth is many people do not meet the standards required to ensure their first choice of university offers them a place. QS Top Universities assesses your options for getting in to an undergraduate study program in the UK.
The first thing to remember is don't despair you are not alone! Over 30,000 people this year are expected to find places at UK universities through the University and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS) clearing system. Your first port of call should be to give your chosen university a call and see if they will confirm your place anyway, especially if you only just missed the grades needed.
The UCAS clearing system lists all courses offered by universities that have not yet been filled. Provided you have not already received or accepted an offer from a university to which you initially applied via UCAS, then you are eligible to apply for one of these clearing places.
If you are eligible for clearing, you will be automatically entered into the clearing system. You can check for this in the Track section of the UCAS website. UCAS start sending out 'Clearing Passport' from mid July onwards, you will receive your clearing passport as soon as you become eligible for clearing - in other words, if you are turned down by your holding institutions.
You need a clearing passport to officially accept a course offer, but you can still ring universities before it arrives to see if they will offer you a place. You can only use the clearing passport to accept one course so make sure it is the right one for you. Remember, you will be spending three years at this instution so make sure it is the right place and course for you.
Before you even start looking at clearing options you may want to consider repeating or re-sitting your A-Levels in order to improve your marks. Talk to your teachers at school first, and to your parents. Then contact the admissions tutors for the courses you are applying to. It is possible that they may ask for higher grades than their standard offer on a re-sit, and may want all your grades to come from one sitting. It may also be possible to re-sit some exams in summer rather than having to repeat an entire year. Your teachers will be able to advise you on what options are possible.
Another option is to have your A-Levels re-marked. Your school teachers should be your first port of call for advice on this option as they will know if it's worth applying for a re-mark. The institution where you took the exam has to decide whether to apply for a re-mark on your behalf: you can't apply directly to an awarding body.
For more in depth advice about the UK clearing system, call the national exam results helpline on 0808 100 8000 which is open until noon on Saturday 23 August.
It's staffed by expert Connexions personal advisers, the education and careers support service for young people in the UK. They'll be able to talk you through your options, and give you impartial and confidential advice. They can also help you through the clearing system, with up-to-the-minute information on which courses still have places available.
The national exam results helpline is open the following days and times:
14 August 8.00 am - 8.00 pm
15 -17 August 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
18 - 20 August 9.00 am - 6.00 pm
21 August 9.00 am - 7.30 pm
22 August 9.00 am - 5.00 pm
23 August 9.00 am - 12.00 noon
For an insight into what life is like as an undergraduate student in a UK university, check out QS Top Universities UK section.
Student Survival Guide