Getting Ready for A level Results Day

In preparation for results day, the UCAS website has lots of useful information for students who have applied to university. Students should spend some time prior to results day looking at this information so they know what to expect when they receive their results.

A level results day (ucas.com)

 

Results Day - Thursday 17 August 2023

UCAS will be updating records for 8am on 17 August so students who have applied to university will be able to log on to their UCAS accounts from this point onwards to see whether their firm choice or insurance choice university has accepted them.

Please do not worry though if you find you are still waiting for the university to make a decision (further information about this can be found on the UCAS website using the link below). 

There is information on the UCAS website about what to do if:

  • You receive unexpected grades
  • You are still waiting for your uni or college decision to be updated on your application
  • You want to look for more courses
  • What happens after you have been accepted on to your chosen course
  • Where you can access support for your mental health & wellbeing

What to do After You Get Your Exam Results | UCAS Clearing

There will be staff in school to support students on results day but students can also access further support via the National Careers Service Exam Results Helpline: 0800 100 900

  • Open Thursday 17 August until Friday 1 September 2023. 
  • 08:00 to 20:00 (UK time) Monday to Friday and 10:00 to 17:00 (UK time) on Saturday.  

Young people or their parents can contact the helpline to speak to a local professionally qualified careers adviser if they need advice on their next steps after receiving their results. 

Anyone phoning the helpline will also be given the option of using the website which will have information on their options or webchat.

 

If students have not been accepted or have decided that they no longer want to accept their university place they will be able to go through Clearing. You can find lots of information about how Clearing works at:

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/results-confirmation-and-clearing/what-clearing

 

Some of the advice from the web address above is shown below:

How do I apply using Clearing?

  1. Ask for advice
    Talk to an adviser at your school, college, centre, or careers office – they can talk you through alternative courses/subjects. If you’re applying independently, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Clearing process, on ucas.com.

 

  1. See what courses are available
    Use our search tool to find courses – it's the only official vacancy list, so it’s the most up-to-date. If you can't find the course you're looking for:
    • consider different subjects – you don't have to stick with your original idea. You could also look at joint honours courses, so you can study a mix of subjects
    • keep checking – unis update their course information regularly. You might not find the exact unis/colleges/courses you were looking for – some might be full, but some might get vacancies later on
    • check the course details – how is it structured each year? What modules make up each year? What are the entry requirements?

 

  1. Talk to any unis or colleges you're interested in
    Before you add a Clearing choice in your application, you need to call the uni and give them your Clearing number (you can find this in your application), and Personal ID, so they can look it up.
    • Ask if they'd accept you – they might reconsider you (maybe for the same course) even if you applied to them earlier in the year.
    • Get informal offers over the phone – maybe from a variety of universities and colleges – then decide which one you want to accept.
    • Ask about accommodation options – is there any on-campus?
    • Take a look around the campus – if you have the time, it's the best way to see what a university/college is like – most will be happy to meet you and show you around. Alternatively, see if they have a virtual tour or a virtual open day.

 

  1. Add your Clearing choice in your application
    Only add a Clearing choice once you have permission from the university or college.
    • Click 'Add Clearing choice', and fill in the course details by the date the university/college gave you on the phone.
    • This counts as you definitely accepting the offer, so if they confirm, it'll show as an acceptance on your 'Choices' page in your application.
    • You can only add one choice at a time, but if the university/college doesn't confirm your place, you'll be able to add another.
    • If the university/college confirms your place, find your student accommodation and then make sure you get everything ready to start your studies.  

 

Please note that students can add a place available through clearing to their application from 3pm on 18th August.

 

Clearing advice for parents can be found at:

Clearing guide for parents | Undergraduate, Conservatoires | UCAS

 

List of useful websites:

 

General information

The UCAS website contains lots of useful information about university courses, applying to university, student finance, apprenticeships, gap years and much more: https://www.ucas.com

Unifrog: https://www.unifrog.org/

 

University

UCAS undergraduate information: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate

UCAS information for parents & guardians: Advice For Parents And Guardians | UCAS | Parent Guide To University

UCAS Clearing information: https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/results-confirmation-and-clearing/what-clearing

 

Apprenticeships

https://www.ucas.com/understanding-apprenticeships

https://www.getmyfirstjob.co.uk/Discover/InYourArea/Details/Leeds

https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship