Experts had long warned that competition for university places this year will be tougher than before and now having had their results, students who want to get a place through clearing can begin their hunt.
Clearing is the Ucas admissions service process which matches universities’ empty places with students looking for courses. Last year more than 50,000 students found university places through clearing across the UK. Competition is expected to be harder this year as many students are expected to miss out on the A level grades they need after the first sat exams for two years due to the pandemic. Exam boards are calibrating results between pre-pandemic and 2021 after what has been viewed by some as inflated results when results were awarded under teacher assessed grades.
Exams regulator Qualifications Wales has said exam subjects which saw the biggest changes in results during teacher assessed grades included sciences and maths and this could mean those subjects see the furthest drop in grades overall.
Read more: All the live updates from A level results day in Wales
This is what universities in Wales are saying about places they still have through clearing and how to reach them:
Swansea University
Swansea could not give details about individual course’ requirements, application numbers and places in clearing, but stressed it does have places to offer through clearing.
A spokesperson said: "Our key message is that we have clearing places available across a number of courses at the University and we advise people to contact us. We are very flexible in our approach and would encourage students to get in touch if they want to talk through their options or discuss any issues."
Swansea University Vice-Chancellor Prof Paul Boyle said: "Students contacting us through clearing on results day are often stressed and confused. I want to reassure anyone who is thinking about joining our university, that exam results are not the only defining feature of an application. We consider every application that we receive on an individual basis with grades being just one aspect of our decision-making. We also consider suitability for the chosen course and whether applicants would benefit from our environment here at Swansea."
More information is available online and people can also call the helpline on 0808 175 3071.
University of South Wales
A University of South Wales spokesperson said: "The University will have courses available through clearing in a range of subject areas. Anyone who has just decided to apply to university, and is not in the UCAS system, can also contact us.
"We realise that each person is much more than just their exam results, so we take into account their individual circumstances when deciding if the University can help them achieve their learning goals. We‘d be happy to discuss the variety of options available for those who want to study with us."
USW's helpline for clearing can be contacted on 03455 760606.
University of Wales Trinity St David
UWTSD said it still has places available for September on a range of programmes across its in Swansea, Carmarthen, Cardiff and Lampeter on courses across sport, business, psychology, construction, engineering as well as the humanities.
A spokesperson said: "Despite increased competition for places, we will have places available after results are released. We strongly believe that higher education should be accessible to all those who can benefit from studying and invite students to get in touch and to visit our open day. Our advice to students who may have not secured a place or changed their minds is to contact our advisers. Our team will be able to discuss your results and show you what is available at UWTSD. "
UWTSD's Clearing helpline can be contacted on 0330 173 5470 or online.
Cardiff University
A Cardiff University spokesperson said: "Cardiff University will have limited spaces available for high-calibre, well-qualified students. Results processing is ongoing, and the picture will change so it is difficult to identify the exact number of vacancies currently available. Our message to high quality students still looking for places is to contact us immediately as the picture will change minute by minute and our remaining places are in high demand."
International or EU students can contact Cardiff's International Clearing team. Details of available courses can be viewed here.
Cardiff University's clearing centre can be contacted on 0333 241 2800 Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm after A level results are released.
Bangor University
Bangor University says it has hundreds of places on a variety of first degree courses, including biology, first and second language Welsh and computer science Bsc. Lines are open 8.30am to 6pm until A level results day when they will be open at the following times and dates:
- Thursday, 18 August: 8am-7pm
- Friday, 19 August: 8am-7pm
- Saturday, 20 August: 10am-3pm
The helpline will be open 9am-5pm weekdays only (excluding the Bank Holiday Monday), between Monday, 22 August and Friday, 2 September.
The admissions helpline to call is 0800 085 1818.
Aberystwyth University
Aberystwyth University has raised entry grades this year. A spokesperson said: "We regularly review our entry criteria and this year we have entry grades of AAA for our veterinary science degree course and have raised the entry criteria for some of our mathematics courses that reflect the high calibre of students we have been recruiting in recent years.
"In common with many universities, we may amend our entry criteria during the clearing period, however this is done on a course-by-course basis and we aim to ensure that our academic standards are maintained. We may offer applicants who have dropped a few grades a Foundation Year route for some of our courses, which allows them to study an extra year with dedicated academic support in order for them to reach the required standard for enrolment onto the first year of a degree course.
"We will have a limited number of places on some of our courses this year. We are working through the A level and other Level Three results that we have received for our applicants, but at this stage we are unable to give precise numbers in terms of vacancies.
" Our veterinary science degree won’t have any places in clearing while the A level success rate for our psychology, art and a number of our media course applicants will probably mean that places are very limited in these areas too."
Their advice for those who didn't get their grades is: "First, don’t panic and rush into making a decision on your future. Contact the university to discuss your options and if possible, come and visit us on Friday, Saturday or Sunday this week to have a conversation about studying at Aberystwyth this September."
Dr Ian Harris, Lecturer in Aberystwyth's Business School, said: " If students have not met the grades they were expecting or they were required to achieve to start their chosen degree course in September, I would suggest that getting in touch with their chosen university and discussing their options is the best course of action at this stage.
"If students find themselves in clearing, they should make sure they consider aspects like student support, accommodation, and facilities before deciding on an alternative university. Better still, go and visit and experience the campus and location to make sure it’s the right choice for them.”
To contact the clearing team call 0800 121 40 80 or you can email clearing@aber.ac.uk or on the website.
Cardiff Metropolitan University
A Cardiff Metropolitan University spokesperson said: "Cardiff Met has experienced an increase in applications this year, in line with the trend across Wales and the UK. Cardiff Met will be entering Clearing and we have a dedicated clearing advice line in place for Thursday.
“The telephone number for the Advice Line is 03332522021 and we will be offering advice, support and guidance to those that call if they have applied to Cardiff Met or want to apply through Clearing.
“We also have lots of useful information for students on our website about clearing, including Frequently Asked Questions."
Cardiff Met Clearing Advice Line is 0333 2522021. It is open from 8.30am.
Wrexham Glyndwr University
Wrexham Glyndwr says it has courses available through clearing.
The hotline can be reached on 01978 293439.
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