A level Results Day letter

In preparation for A level results day, the UCAS website has lots of useful information for students who have applied to university:

UCAS will be updating records from 8.15am on 18th 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.

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 here.

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.

2. 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:
o 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
o 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
o check the course details – how is it structured each year? What modules make up each year? What are the entry requirements?

3. 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.
o 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.
o Get informal offers over the phone – maybe from a variety of universities and colleges – then decide which one you want to accept.
o Ask about accommodation options – is there any on-campus?
o 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.

4. Add your Clearing choice in your application
Only add a Clearing choice once you have permission from the university or college.
o Click 'Add Clearing choice', and fill in the course details by the date the university/college gave you on the phone.
o 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.
o 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.
o 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.

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