Clearing…..It’s not the end of the world!
Sooo you’re reading this for a few reasons:
- You’re crazy organised and you’re already covering yourself in case the unthinkable happens and your results don’t go as planned.
- Results day is approaching and you’re beginning to stress about your results.
- The day has arrived, you’ve missed out on your grades and you’re in a mad panic.
Whichever category you fall in to, one thing is for sure…you need not panic. Seriously, don’t panic because this guide has everything covered for you when you are going through clearing.
Clearing is an opportunity for you to find a place on a university course which starts that very same year when you haven’t quite received the grades needed for your first or insurance choices. Clearing moves ridiculously quickly, so you can’t sit twiddling your thumbs for too long as places will go fast.
The courses in UCAS clearing are not the ones nobody wants. It is the opportunity for those who have missed their conditions or had a last-minute change of heart about the university or course they want to study.
Researching
This is a massively important step in the process. You need to ensure that the course and University are both perfect for you:
First of all, use UCAS and websites such as WhatUni to do some background research on both the course and the university.
Secondly, read some student reviews about the course…. students won’t hold back in their analysis of the course/uni and it may help you narrow down your choices.
Finally, remember what aspects (e.g Location, Reputation, Size) attracted to your first and insurance choices. Then see if there are any similar universities/courses that tickle your fancy.
This stage of the process shouldn’t be rushed whatsoever, there is a great deal to weigh up.
Making the Calls
When calling the clearing call centre, you will be transferred to a current student at the university. Then you may be passed through to a member of staff in the school or faculty of the course you want. Now, what will they ask you? First of all, they will ask you what course you are interested in and then you will be asked about your grades. The member of staff then taking control from there. Before you ring it is vital that you have considered your options. Be sure to try not to make any rash decisions in a dazed panic.
What to have on hand when you call:
- You should have a pen or paper at the ready (That should be a given).
- A bunch of questions you need to ask jotted down.
- Telephone number or email address.
- Your Qualification grades.
- Your UCAS number.
Securing your Place
Research ‘check’, phone calls ‘check’, verbal offers ‘check’. The final stage of the clearing process will be the most satisfying and self-relieving. Once given a verbal offer over the phone, you can now visit the UCAS website. Then, add a clearing course on to your tracker (If they have given you a deadline make sure you update it in time!).
Once you’ve added the offer, the Uni will then confirm it to make it official and your tracker will be updated to ‘Clearing Accepted’, with you eventually getting a letter through the post to essentially ‘seal the deal’. With that, the clearing process is now complete and your mind can finally be laid to rest.
Now… did someone mention Freshers?
“Going through Clearing – The Step by Step Guide” was written by Housing Hand partners Digs Student for more information on finding student accommodation across the UK contact Digs Students by emailing [email protected]
