- If you discover that your grades are slightly below those requested in the conditional offer, ring the admissions tutor at once to see if the university will give you a place anyway.

- If this does not work and you do not want to do resits or to take a gap year, make a list of the courses and universities you like.

- Use The Times Good University Guide, the websites listed or the Ucas website. If you have not had an offer of a place, or if your offer has been withdrawn, you will receive your clearing passport.

- Check the vacancies list on Ucas.com first, or ring 0870 1122211.

- When you have a shortlist of vacancies, make a list of reasons why the course interests you and what you can bring to the university.

- Ring the universities yourself but do not take the first place that you are offered unless it is absolutely right.

- When you are happy with a course, send, or better still, take your clearing passport to the university.

- For full details of The Times Good University Guide 2008 plus university profiles and institutional rankings for 32 subject tables and individual university profiles visit www.timesonline.co.uk/gooduniversityguide .

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