If you happen to find yourself in clearing on A-level results day, it certainly doesn’t mean that you’ve failed, and there are plenty of options available to you.
While it may seem a long and complex process, it is an opportunity to search through a range of courses and universities to find one that is better suited to you.
Many students who have gone through clearing have gone on to thoroughly enjoy their university experience. Lots of people consider it the best thing that could have happened to them. Here are some of their top tips and experiences.
George Marten, economics, Royal Holloway, University of London
A lot of dread and fear built up in my mind around clearing. In reality, I didn’t need to feel so anxious, it was as simple as calling a number for each university I was interested in and having my personal statement ready to send over if requested.
The best method for me was to just keep calling until I had exhausted all possible universities with spaces, then choosing from the list I had built.
If I had to give advice to someone going through clearing, it would be not to let the idea of what could have been weigh you down. Work with what you have and keep going! The truth is that wherever you attend, you will have the experience that you make for yourself, so have faith in yourself and see what is out there for you.
Clearing: what you should say on the phone to universities
Navigating clearing: what to do if you don’t receive your grades
Clearing gave me the second chance I needed
Olivia Weatherwill, philosophy, politics and ethics, University of Brighton
I originally applied for international relations courses, although pursuing my favourite and strongest subject – philosophy – kept playing in my mind.
When I didn’t meet the requirements of my firm or insurance choice, my university prospects felt wide open and quite scary. But it became a blessing in disguise because it meant I was able to look for philosophy courses through clearing.
My experience of the clearing process was excellent; the staff were calm and reassuring. I rang up in the afternoon of results day after spending some time thinking about my next move and was able to get chatting to someone very quickly.
If you’re at the beginning of your clearing journey, just pick up the phone and start the process. The team is there to help you find your best fit!
Eleasha Haslam, geography, Newcastle University
One thing I wish I’d known before going through clearing is that it doesn’t mean you’ve failed. Lots of students go through clearing and when you get to university no one asks how you got in, you’re all just there to enjoy the experience.
Clearing itself is quite fast-paced, but that doesn’t mean you have to rush your decision. Ask if you can speak to a member of staff on the academic board. For me, this made the entire process a lot better because it gave me the chance to talk about my academic passions with a professor who was able to relate to me.
Ugonna Okoro, biomedical science, Brighton and Sussex Medical School
I wanted to study medicine and was attracted to the facilities and teaching style of the Brighton and Sussex Medical School.
I was not accepted on to the course, but I was given alternatives such as pharmacy, biology and biomedical science at the same university. I ended up choosing biomedical science because it stood out to me in terms of content and course length, so I’d say those are two important things to consider.
Annora Sundararajan, physics with philosophy, Royal Holloway, University of London
I would recommend that people who think they may have to go through the clearing process prepare themselves as much as possible beforehand. Have a look at different universities, note down the numbers you need to contact and have a good idea of which courses you want to apply for.
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