A Level Results Day is right around the corner (15 August 2024), with thousands of students set to receive their grades in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. For those waiting to receive their results, this can be a very stressful time period as they wait to see if their grades will support their plans for the future. This is particularly true for the 316,850 UK 18-year-olds applying to university or college this year. The best way to reduce this Results Day stress is to be prepared for any eventuality. By being prepared, you are ensuring that your results do not define your future beyond School. To help you prepare ahead of Results Day, we have compiled some key information about Clearing for those who know their futures lie in further studies. We have also outlined a few alternatives to university that are definitely worth considering (did you know last year around 59,300 students chose to work or volunteer abroad after leaving school?)
Clearing
Clearing is a UCAS service which allows applicants to apply for university places that are still open. It’s also a great way for applicants to change courses if they aren’t happy with their original choice, so if you've changed your mind about what you want to study since applying to university, there are still options out there for you!
In 2023, a total of 38,140 students managed to secure university places through UCAS Clearing, up from 33,280 in 2022 - a rise of nearly 15%. Clearing is available to students who do not meet the conditions of their offer on A-level results day, as well as those who did not receive any offers. While Clearing can be a great way to consider your options and next steps, going through the process can feel overwhelming! Here is our advice on how to approach the Clearing process:
Research
Learning about the UCAS application process and how Clearing works will help you know what to expect and how to use the service. UCAS has provided a comprehensive guide for 2024 which covers everything, including how to interact with universities, how to handle student finance and more. Familiarising yourself with the process can reduce uncertainties and anxiety and allow you to make clear and informed decisions on what to do next.
Stay Calm & Seek Support
Before you jump into Clearing, it’s important to take time to process your results and ensure you're making the right decision for you. Seek support from friends and family members, and remember that you worked hard and these results do not define your future. Whether you secure a university place through clearing, or choose an alternative path, you will find a way forward that is right for you. Clearing is an opportunity, not a setback, and there are plenty of fantastic places at top universities available to apply for if this feels like the best way forward for you.
Start with Easy Steps
The prospect of finding a new course in a new place can feel daunting. Start by taking easy steps; take a look at your original 5 choices and think about what mattered most to you when looking for a university and a course. Start researching universities and courses that are available and meet the same essential criteria. Collect contact details for universities and, before getting in touch, write out important questions you want to ask so you have as much information as possible.
Take Your Time
When going through Clearing you may feel some pressure to make a quick decision because you’re worried about missing out on a place. However, it is worthwhile to take a bit of time to consider your options; this will help you make a more informed decision. Once you have started with the easy steps and looked at the essential information to create a shortlist of universities and courses you are interested in, take the time to dig deeper. Consider student satisfaction scores, course content, graduate employment rates, teaching ratings and more. These are all things that will affect your next few years at university and important to consider in making a balanced decision you will be happy with. Consider whether this course will help you towards a career goal, and if the course motivates you; if you find yourself uninspired by your original course choice, you can always apply for something completely different!
Stay On Track
If you're feeling overwhelmed, you may start to procrastinate to avoid making any decision. While this is completely normal, putting off contacting universities or submitting documents will often cause more stress and anxiety further down the line and provide the potential to miss out on the most popular spaces available in clearing.
To avoid this, keep track of deadlines and important dates for your new university applications. This can also extend to student finance and to accommodation applications as well. Remember to follow up on applications and keep track of responses. Keeping on top of everything can feel overwhelming, but far less so with plenty of support, so make sure to include your support system throughout this process. Staying on track can make all the difference.
Arrange a Tour
Many universities provide tours during the Clearing period to allow students to visit and help them decide on their choice. Tours are often run by students, so they’re a great way to get first-hand experience of what the university is like. If you feel uncertain about making a final decision, book a visit to your top contenders so you can see in person which would be the best fit. You can also view virtual tours on university websites which can provide insight into facilities and accommodation options.
Finance & Accomodation
If you are accepted onto a course through Clearing, it’s important to remember that any previous student finance applications or potential scholarships must be notified of this decision. There are several administrative tasks, such as filling out forms and submitting new documents, that your support system will be able to help you with to ensure everything is completed in time. Once you have applied, if you have not already visited your university choice, make sure to book a visit so you can take a look at your accommodation options in person.
Other Options
Whether you just want to postpone your university experience, or you have decided that university is not the way forward for you, there are a multitude of options for you to choose from as you decide on your path forward. Here are just a few examples of what you could choose to do upon leaving school:
Go Travelling
Taking some time to travel can help you to step outside your comfort zone and try engaging experiences in new and exciting ways. Travelling provides a wealth of opportunities to develop independence, build confidence and adaptability, learn new languages and broaden global perspectives. It can also help develop other skills such as budgeting, planning, time management, and navigation, all of which can be useful in other areas of life.
Work Abroad
Starting work doesn’t have to happen in the UK. Working abroad can help you broaden your horizons and engage in life experiences you might not have considered in the UK, providing exciting life experiences and allowing you to try something completely different. Lots of gap-year jobs are available and range from working on farms, seasonal hospitality and business to teaching languages, nannying and more. Many countries offer work and working holiday visas, and the majority post lists of careers that are most in demand, which can help you decide what to do and where you want to go.
Consider Professional Qualifications
Opting for professional qualifications instead of university can be a strategic choice for many students. Courses often cost less than university tuition and can also require less time investment. Many offer direct hands-on experience in a specific field, which can be great if you know what trade or industry you want to work in.
Alternatively, many universities offer massive open online courses which provide high-quality learning experiences in different subject areas. Local colleges can also offer a range of in-person or online professional courses. Spending time investigating different qualifications can provide an alternative route that could be a better fit.
Try Volunteering
Volunteering can be an incredibly rewarding experience that also provides a lot of skill-building opportunities outside of a traditional classroom setting - especially if you feel passionate about a worthwhile cause or a specific area of interest you want to get involved in. Contributing to meaningful causes can have a positive impact on mental health and can foster a sense of community and purpose. Volunteering positions can be found on the local, national or even international level, so there are a lot of routes to explore. Employers also take volunteering into account as part of the hiring process, so it can be a worthwhile avenue to consider after school.
Find Companies with School-Leaver Programmes
For students who want to look for employment options, thousands of UK businesses offer structured school-leaver programmes for students over the age of 18. Many provide entry-level positions where you can go straight into work, while others also provide further learning opportunities through apprenticeships and further qualification opportunities. Leaver programmes can be found in various industries, including accounting and finance, banking, hospitality management, technology and IT, retail, civil service and many more. Career advisors, online research and resources like All About School Leavers can help students find opportunities.
Take on an Apprenticeship/Internship
Apprenticeships are fantastic alternatives to traditional higher education options. They can provide an early route into a certain career path, and allow you to start earning early on and gain excellent hands-on experience. There are many types of options to choose from, and applications can differ depending on the sector. Talking with academic/career advisors, and visiting the find an apprenticeship section on Gov.uk or the UCAS apprenticeships page can be great places to start searching.
Start a Business or Go Self-Employed
For some students, finishing school can be a great time to start a business or explore self-employment/freelancing careers. If you have an idea you feel really passionate about or already have a side hustle you want to invest in, resources like The Prince's Trust Enterprise Programme and local business hubs can help you get started. Many students may already have skills that could be a great fit for freelancing roles such as graphic design, content writing, or photography. Mentorship programmes can help provide help and resources on how to launch your freelance business.
Whatever happens on Results Day, remember you have extensive opportunities available. Research your options, talk to your friends and parents to get ideas, and seek advice from the careers service at your school or college. With a proactive approach, there will undoubtedly be an option that will be the right move forward for you, no matter your results.