Northern Ireland students will be eagerly anticipating the release of A-Level results this Thursday, August 18th.
After a school year still disrupted by Covid, students will be finding out what their results mean for their future.
For most, a place at their first-choice university is likely but for others, their grades might not quite meet expectations.
Read more: When will this year's A-Level and GCSE results be released?
Missing out on your first choice is always difficult, but that doesn't mean you've run out of options - far from it. In fact, it's an opportunity to start again.
So don't panic if you've missed your required university grades, as the Clearing process could offer you a second chance.
What is Clearing?
In simple terms, it is how universities fill empty spots on their courses. Most of the time, this is through finding students who have decided to go to university after the application deadline, or students who've not got the results they needed to get into their first-choice course and are looking for alternative courses or universities.
Missing out on your first choice is always difficult, but that doesn't mean you've run out of options - far from it. In fact, it's an opportunity to start again.
When does Clearing start and end?
Clearing is open from 5 July and closes on 18 October. You can only apply for Clearing once you have your confirmed exam results, which for a lot of students means waiting until August results day.
Students can sign up for the Clearing portal now and get their Clearing ID as well as a personal ID numbers. These will be needed on results day so getting them prepared ahead of time can save stress on the day itself.
Who can use Clearing?
According to the UCAS website, a student can use Clearing if:
- you're applying after 30 June
- you didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
- you didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
- you've paid the UCAS multiple choice application fee of £26.50
- you've declined your firm place using the "decline my place" button in your application
Which universities are accessible through Clearing?
The vast majority of UK universities have courses available through Clearing, including some of the top institutions in the country.
Some universities announce whether they have places available when Clearing opens, while others wait until results day, Thursday 18 August.
Can you switch your course in Clearing?
If you get your grades but change your mind about your course, you can decline your place online and enter Clearing. However, UCAS suggests that students only do so if once they have spoken to an teacher or adviser and are absolutely certain of their choice, as once you've decline your place, you can't get it back.
If you have had conditional offers but miss your grades and decide to study something else, you do this through Clearing, too.
Are only a limited number of subjects and universities available?
No. It used to be unheard of for oversubscribed courses like medicine to be on offer through Clearing, but this has changed.
Can you re-apply to a previously rejected university?
Clearing allows you to apply to any university with vacancies, even if they rejected you the first time round.
If you spot a course you like and meet the entry requirements, call the admissions team and talk to them about your opportunities.
Is Clearing only for students with low grades?
No. Students who applied to university after the UCAS application deadline (June 30) are automatically entered into Clearing.
What is Clearing plus?
Clearing Plus is a "matchmaking" tool developed by UCAS. Using what they know about you from your application, UCAS is able to match courses with Clearing spaces available to you.
From your "matches", you are able to express an interest in a course, and then the university or college can contact you. If none of the suggestions take your fancy, you can still browse all the other available Clearing courses on the UCAS website.
How do I apply using Clearing?
After getting your results, speak to your teachers, parents, friends and careers advisors. They'll be able to help guide you through the process, help you make informed choices and get you on the right track.
Once you've taken a breath and are ready to take a look at what's on offer, head to the Clearing portal to begin your search. Your application profile will include a Clearing ID as well as a personal ID, these will be important when it comes to applying, so make note of these numbers and keep them to hand.
The UCAS Clearing portal is the only official vacancy list, so it's the most up-to-date resource. If the course you were keen on doesn't appear in the search, don't panic.
- You can consider different or similar subjects, sometimes universities offer joint honours courses so you can study a mix of topics while keeping some of your original idea.
- If you are adamant on applying to a specific course, keep checking online. Universities update information regularly and sometimes courses that were once full get vacancies later on, though this is not always guaranteed.
If you see a course you're interested in, give the university a call. This is where you'll need your Clearing and Personal ID numbers so that admissions staff can look you up.
- Ask if they'd accept you – they might reconsider you (maybe for the same course) even if you applied to them earlier.
- Get informal offers over the phone – maybe from a variety of universities and colleges – then decide which one to accept.
- Ask about accommodation options – is there any on-campus?
- Take a look around the campus if you have time. Sometimes universities will offer virtual tours if they are quite a trek away.
Add your Clearing choice to your application. UCAS advises that you only do this once you have spoken to the university or college and they have given you permission to do so.
- Click 'Add Clearing choice', and fill in the course details by the date the university/college gave you on the phone.
- This counts as you definitely accepting the offer, so if they confirm, it'll show as an acceptance on your 'Choices' page.
- You can only add one choice at a time, but if the university/college doesn't confirm your place, you'll be able to add another.
- If the university/college confirms your place, find your accommodation and then get ready to start your studies.
READ NEXT:
-
NI student backs calls for price cap on 'extortionate' school uniforms
-
Plans to introduce price cap on NI school uniform are 'crucial'
-
Tributes to former NI school principal after his sudden passing on holiday
-
Newtownabbey schoolkids give teacher £20 towards petrol for end of year present
For all the latest news, visit the Belfast Live homepage here. To sign up to our FREE newsletters, see here.
