Hundreds of students are getting their A-level results on Thursday - but some may not get the grades they were expecting.
This year's race for university places is expected to be one of the most competitive yet, with almost 40% of young people thought likely to make use of the clearing system to find a place on a course. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) has acknowledged that offer-making has been "more conservative" this year, with the chief executive Clare Marchant warning results day will not be a "pain-free" experience for students.
Ofqual, the exams regulator in England, and Ucas sent a letter to students reassuring them that most will still secure their first choice of university. Students who do not find a place on their first-choice course have been advised by a headteachers' union to avoid panicking and instead seek advice.
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Clearing is a route that enables you to secure a place at university. Here, we have provided advice about clearing from Newcastle, Northumbria and Sunderland universities. ChronicleLive also contacted Durham University and a spokesperson said: "We have no places available in clearing. We wish students the best of success in finding a place elsewhere."
Newcastle University
Emma Reay, director of student recruitment and admissions at Newcastle University, said: "Whatever your reason for applying through Clearing, we’re here to support you and give you all the information you need. We recognise this can be an anxious time, so we’ve created a step-by-step guide which can be found on our website.
“By planning ahead, you can approach Results Day with confidence, even if you don’t get the grades you were expecting. On results day, Thursday, you can check the UCAS Hub from 8.15am to see if you’ve been accepted onto your chosen course and our hotlines and chat will be open from 8am.
“Students who are seeking places through the Clearing process are encouraged to visit our website at www.ncl.ac.uk/clearing to find out what places are available.” The step-by-step guide can be found here.
Northumbria University
The university is urging students to consider going through Clearing if their results are not what they were expecting. It says many people believe Clearing is for students who haven’t secured one of their original UCAS choices or have received lower grades than expected, but this isn’t true. Clearing also allows students to pick from remaining university course places when they have received better grades than expected, those who have changed their mind about what or where to study, and those who have decided to come to university sometime after sitting their exams, for example, after working or having a gap year.
Northumbria has a number of courses available in Clearing this year, ranging from accounting and finance courses to interior design, engineering, computer science, fashion and tourism degrees.
Helen Bower, who is responsible for student recruitment at Northumbria, said: "We know that A-level results day can be a stressful time for students, but we are here to help. We have a dedicated team of staff on hand to offer advice and guidance, whatever your circumstances.
"Some students may have done better than expected; others may not have got the grades they hoped for, and some may have changed their mind since applying and want to study a different course or go to a different university. The important thing to remember is that there are always options available to you.
"We would encourage any students with any questions to give us a call. We can discuss your individual situation, the grades you have and talk through the options open to you. We have a wide range of courses available and will help you find the right course for you."
Northumbria has a limited number of places available through Clearing. For more information, visit www.northumbria.ac.uk/clearing or call the Clearing Hotline on 0800 085 1085.
The Clearing Hotline is open on the following dates and times:
- Thursday 18th August 8am to 8pm
- Friday 19th August 8.30am to 5pm
- Saturday 20th August 10am to 3pm
Sunderland University
Almost 200 staff and ambassadors at the University of Sunderland are ready to support those going through the Clearing process after receiving their A-level, T-level and BTEC results on Thursday.
Francesca Carey, director of home student recruitment, said: "Results day can always feel a bit daunting and students considering a Clearing place will inevitably have lots of questions – but the students applying this year are the first to sit examinations since 2019, will likely have no prior experience of sitting public exams such as GCSEs, and have worked incredibly hard to catch up with missed education against the backdrop of a pandemic and huge uncertainty.
"So, students this year should be unequivocally proud of their achievements and remember that there is always a range of options available. Here at the University of Sunderland, we have a history of supporting students from all walks of life, including many who have decided to apply later in the UCAS cycle.
"We also know that admission to university is about much more than grades with many of our programmes using interviews, portfolios, and contextual information to inform decisions. Our call centre for students searching for a place in Clearing will open at 7.30am on Thursday, August 18.
"We will have trained staff available to talk students through their options, including a range of our career-focused courses – and can also book students and their supporters onto our open day to see first-hand what the university has to offer."
There will be a Clearing Explained online event on Thursday, August 18, and Friday, August 19, which will guide students through the Clearing process. Advisors will be available on Live Chat from 8am to 7pm on Thursday and 8am to 5pm on Friday to discuss options.
There will also be a drop-in event from 11am to 5pm on Thursday and 11am to 3pm on Friday at Prospect Building, Sir Tom Cowie Campus at St Peter's, where staff will be on hand to offer support. There will be an additional open day on Saturday, August 20, from 10am to 3.30pm.
The Clearing line is 0191 515 3000 and the web page with information about events and open days is available here.
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