Preparing for Results Day and potentially using Clearing

Results Day is on Tuesday 10th August and thousands and thousands of people across the country will be logging in to UCAS bright and early. We understand that you may feel nervous about results day, so we have given you our top tips for what you can do to feel prepared ahead of Tuesday.

Things to do to BEFORE Results Day:

• Make sure you have free time in the morning of Results Day. This means you have time to call a university or UCAS if you need to, and sometimes the lines are busy so you may need to wait. 
• Have your UCAS log in information ready. 
• Make sure your mobile phone is fully charged or you have access to a phone with full charge. You don't want your phone to turn off halfway through a phone call to UCAS!
• Read any letters or emails your school/college have sent about receiving your results. This will include useful information such as what time you will receive your results and what support is available. 
• Have an early night. We appreciate this is easier said than done, especially if you are nervous, but try and have a good sleep!
• Remember you have tried your very best and there is always more than one route to different careers or courses. 

Now you've received your results: 

• If your place at a university has been confirmed and you have received your results, relax!
• If you have not met the offer conditions or your university choices, you now have the option to find a place through Clearing.
• If your results were not what you expected and need some support, head over to Student Space (set up by Student Minds) where there are articles and videos about dealing with results and next steps. 

So, what is “Clearing”?

Clearing is part of the UCAS Application services, where universities and colleges fill any vacant spaces on their courses due to start the following September.

You can use Clearing if you:

• Had all of your offers or applications for places declined or withdrawn
• Declined any offers a college or university made to you (this is also known as “self-release”
• Did not meet the conditions of either your Firm Choice or Insurance Choice offers
• Would like to apply to university having not done previously

What is the clearing application process?

The first thing you will need to do is look for course spaces available using the UCAS Search Tool. 

This is the official place for courses to be posted and the most accurate. Remember – every course is different and some have less spaces or are more popular than others, so keep in mind there might not be spaces on every course at every institution!

Once you have found a course you would like to apply for, call the university/college. Each institution will have a dedicated clearing phone number which you can find on their website. You can talk to them about the course, and whether they might consider accepting your application. This is also a great opportunity to ask more about the campus, accommodation and other aspects of the university/college.

Remember:

• Have your clearing number ready – you can find this on your UCAS application. The person on the clearing phone line will need to know this so they can view your application.
• Be patient – the phone lines can be really busy on and after results day, so try and be patient if you are put on hold or asked to call back.

 If the institution then confirms a place for you, you will be able to update your UCAS Track.

For more information about Clearing, check out these sites:

UCAS: What is Clearing?

The Complete University Guide: A Guide to UCAS Clearing

Apply to Uni – Clearing

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