Your clearing questions answered: Part One

Your clearing questions answered: Part Two

Our team of experts answer some frequently asked clearing-related questions. On our panel are:

- Richard Broom, Admissions Co-ordinator at City University, London

- Christine Tyler, former Head of Eccles College in Salford and Colleges Consultant at the Association of School and College Leaders

- John O'Leary, Editor of The Times Good University Guide

Who is eligible for clearing?

Anyone who misses the grades demanded for a place this autumn at both their Firm and Insurance choices, or who applied after the deadline of June 30, or has not yet applied.

If you visit www.ucas.com/clearing you can check your situation on Track at www.ucas.com/appenq. If you are eligible for clearing, Track will display your clearing number and your clearing passport will be on its way by post. If a university offer you a place, they will ask for your clearing number and for you to send your clearing passport to them.

I am just slightly short of the results I need for a place at my first choice university. What should I do?

Richard Broom:

Check on your UCAS track account to see if your Firm and Insurance choice Universities have accepted or rejected you. Applicants who have met the conditions set by one of their choices will have their place confirmed and be made Unconditional. Universities then have to analyse their statistics and see whether they can exercise any discretion on those who may have narrowly fallen short of the required grades. If they find that they have filled their allotted places with those who have met the conditions then they will not be able to exercise any discretion. If, however, other applicants have similarly not met their conditions then you may still be offered a place.

If you find that you have not been accepted then you will need to prepare to tackle the Clearing process.

John O’Leary:

Check that your chosen university is actually rejecting you - admissions tutors often take applicants who just miss their grades, rather than go into clearing. Ring the department - preferably with support from your school or college, particularly if there were any extenuating circumstances (like illness during the exam period). If you are rejected, check the Ucas website (www.ucas.com) for vacancies in your chosen subject.

Christine Tyler:

If you feel that you have a genuine reason to believe that they should still consider you, give it a go and contact them – you have nothing to lose. It is at this stage that a teacher or adviser at your school or college may be able to contact the admissions tutor on your behalf to argue your case. If you just missed a grade or if you have been carrying out related voluntary work, or fit into a widening participation category like being in the first generation of your family to go to university, or have worked through some difficult issues to get where you are now, or if your result in a subject is a real shock because all earlier indications were that you would do better - you can use factors like this to support your request. Sometimes it works! It's also a good idea to contact the university as early as possible in the process or even to visit them yourself if it’s reasonably local.

I am devastated; I didn’t get the grades I needed for either my firm or insurance choice – what should I do?

Richard Broom:

Sit down and take a deep breath. You will need to think about your situation and how you want your future to be. And certainly, don’t panic! Making a hasty decision to accept a course or a university that you are unsure about is more than likely going to be a mistake. University staff know that this is a very difficult time for you and understand that you may be nervous or upset. We want to give you clear guidance and we want to know that you are making a well thought-out decision.

You may have to be prepared to be flexible about your choice of course, or where you go in the country, but remember, you need to know that you are going to be happy. After all you may be deciding where to spend the next three years of your life.

You will almost certainly have found out that you have not been placed by looking at your Ucas track account. Universities list their vacancies on the Ucas website first and, as there will be connections to course descriptions and university homepages, you could do nothing better than to start your search here. Once you have found a course in which you are interested then act quickly and telephone the University’s Clearing hotline number. Remember most of the action takes place in the first two or three days.

John O’Leary:

If you are sure you are being rejected, search the Ucas website and see what the options are for the grades you have. Stick to your chosen subject unless you are absolutely sure that you have the interest and ability to make a success of another one. Consult your teachers and research prospective courses - if possible by visiting and, if not, through university websites and resources such as The Times guide.

Christine Tyler:

It’s always a good idea to talk to a teacher or a careers adviser in order to make sure that whatever action you take is realistic and the right thing for you as an individual. If your grades appear to give you a reasonable chance for obtaining a clearing place, then that should be your next consideration.

But this comes with a health warning! When you use clearing, don’t get carried away with the idea of going to university at all costs. Make sure that the course that you apply to through clearing is really what you want to spend the next three years doing and that the university is a place that you are happy to study at and possibly live in. Otherwise you may be disappointed in the choice you make. You probably did a lot of research before choosing the universities you included in your Ucas form, so take some time to consider this choice as well. It’s a good idea to talk things over with a family member or teacher before you make any decision.

If your results are really disappointing, they may recommend that you re-sit some subjects or that you consider an alternative option to university. There are many interesting careers where you can obtain qualifications whilst working and you may wish to consult your careers adviser about this. A lot of successful people – Richard Branson for example – didn’t go to university and have done very well in their careers.

How can I best use The Times Good University Guide to help me through the clearing process?

John O’Leary:

The guide is mainly for next year's applicants, but it will give an indication of the standing of universities in clearing - both overall and in 32 subject areas. Of course, no one should choose a course simply on the basis of league tables but, particularly when time is short (as in clearing), they can help narrow down the field. The guide also includes a profile of each university, which should answer some questions and suggest further lines of inquiry.

My results are better than I was predicted – can I apply again for another course at another university?

Richard Broom:

There are students who do this – clearing is not exclusively used by those who have not achieved the results they expected, but also by those who have exceeded their expectations. Having said that, applying for another course through clearing when you’ve got the grades to attend your first-choice university is a risky business and not something that Ucas advises.

If your offer was three Bs, and you get three As, your first choice will still be expecting you to study with them. What you should also do is ring the university you’ve got your eye on first to get a feel for whether they will have places through clearing, and indeed whether they might take you. You will then need to ring your existing choice and ask them nicely to release you. Ucas will then send you a Clearing passport.

John O’Leary:

In theory, if you want to 'trade up' you should withdraw your application for this year and apply again for 2008. In practice, however, universities usually release applicants who are sure that they do not want the place that they have been offered. If that happens, another university can offer you a place through clearing - but make sure first that you have a firm offer from a university that you definitely prefer.

Christine Tyler:

Because your acceptance of your offer is a contractual agreement, you cannot simply decline the place you have accepted at this stage. You should contact the university or college concerned to explain that you have changed your mind and that you want to apply elsewhere and see if they are willing to enter you into clearing.

They will probably do so because they will be aware that you won’t be totally committed to their course if you do go there, but expect them to try to persuade you to stay with them, as they will be as pleased as you are that you have done so well. But do remember that you chose your initial university and course for reasons that may make it sensible for you to stick with them, rather than to jump quickly into a situation that you have not researched so thoroughly.

I haven’t applied for entry to university this year, but am now considering it – can I apply for a course through clearing?

Richard Broom:

Yes, you can, and again there are many who do this. As long as you have the appropriate qualifications, and there is a course you have in mind which you want to study, you may well find a place to suit you. If you have not yet applied, you should ring the University Clearing hotline number to discuss the mechanism of application with Admissions staff.

Christine Tyler:

Yes – but only if you complete a UCAS application form for entry up to and including Thursday 20 September 2007. Don’t forget that you will need a reference to apply – so let your teachers know what you are planning as they may have to get their act together quickly as well in order to make sure that one is available. Some of them may be snatching a few last days of holiday over the next week or so, so this contact is essential if you want to make sure your application is complete.

Once Ucas has processed your application they will send you a clearing passport with a clearing number and you can then contact universities that have courses you are interested in. It’s a good idea to use the time it takes for your clearing passport to come through (not long usually) to research your possibilities by reading The Times clearing information so that you can contact your choice as soon as possible.

What are my other options aside from clearing if I haven’t got the grades I need?

Richard Broom:

You could resit your exams and apply for university next year or use your current grades to reapply next year. You might consider a foundation degree or course if you want to continue studying right away, and this could lead onto a degree of your choice. If you’re not sure what you want to do, you could take a gap year, which should give you life experience and some time to think about your future. During your gap year you may realise that you want to study something different entirely, or indeed go straight into employment. If you know that you definitely don’t want to go into clearing, it may well help you to see a local careers adviser, speak to somebody at your college, or call the Ucas exams helpline on 0808 100 8000, which is running until 25 August.

John O’Leary:

You could re-sit in the hope of getting better grades, although the success rate is not encouraging if you have missed by much. Some courses demand higher grades if all exams are not taken at the same time. Or contact your careers office for employment opportunities - you might choose to study part-time while embarking on a career. Not all professions are graduate entry and some jobs for school-leavers are just as lucrative as those for graduates.

Christine Tyler:

Some universities are prepared to tell you what they expect you to do to qualify to enter their course next year. This may not always be about raising your grades, but may involve you in displaying your commitment to their course by undertaking relevant work experience or voluntary activities. This is an avenue worth exploring with them.

You should definitely take the opportunity to speak with your teachers and careers adviser about the choices available to you. There are many good careers today that will allow you to study and obtain degrees and degree level qualifications without having to attend university full time. This route can be quite advantageous as employers may be willing to pay fees or subsidise studies once you have established your commitment to the choice of career. You can earn as you learn!

If this doesn’t appeal, you can discuss the possibility of raising your grades by re-sitting some of your subject modules with the relevant teachers and apply to enter university in 2008. If you take this route, it also a good idea to see if you can obtain relevant part-time work or voluntary experience to demonstrate your commitment to your chosen degree subject and do this alongside your further study.

Or you can apply to entirely new universities and courses with the grades you have already achieved, for a 2008 start, using the gap year as a useful way of adding to your finances and/or experience. But make sure that you complete your UCAS application form for 2008 before you hit the road!

I’m worried that all the places on good courses will be snapped up by the end of results day – is this true?

Richard Broom:

There are certain courses which are less likely to have places on clearing due to their popularity, such as law and media studies. Having said that, there may well be vacancies on those courses in a few institutions on clearing day. Make sure you look at the Ucas website to discern which vacancies are where. Of course, it’s going to be more difficult to get onto a more competitive course, but that’s not to say it’s impossible. If you call early on in the day and can convince admissions tutors that you are a quality and suitable applicant, you may well get a place on a good course.

John O’Leary:

Although a few courses may fill up on the first day if only a place or two was available, most will still have vacancies tomorrow and many will be available throughout clearing. Because everything is done by phone or online, the majority of places that are filled through clearing go in the first week - so the sooner your application goes in, the better. But the course will last three or four years, so do not rush into something about which you are unsure. Many students who drop out do so because they chose the wrong course in the first place.

Christine Tyler:

It is true that the number of places available in clearing diminishes quickly over the first few days after results day. However, the real answer to your question rests on what you mean by ‘good courses’. Good courses are the ones that are right for you and it may well be that the course you are looking for is not one of the more popular ones, so the choice will remain open for longer. But the general rule is to avoid delay – get advice; read the clearing and follow the instructions for clearing on the Ucas website.

What steps do I need to take to help me get a good place through clearing?

Richard Broom:

First of all, take a few deep breaths to calm yourself down – it’s important not to panic as you decide on your future. Check the Ucas website for vacancies and make a list of who you’re going to call. Make the calls yourself – getting a friend or parent to call on your behalf will do you no favours as admissions tutors want to find out who you really are. Ensure that you have all your relevant details to hand such as your clearing passport, exam results, relevant work experience and extracurricular activities, and have a pen and paper with you too as you’ll need to make notes.

Keep a positive frame of mind throughout and only accept a place on a course that you are absolutely sure about. If it takes you two days to find the right course, then so be it – at least that way, you’ll be able to look forward to three enjoyable and useful years.

John O’Leary:

First you need thorough research to be sure that you are choosing a course that you will enjoy. Then approach the university or college to secure a place. A Clearing Passport will come to you automatically if you applied through the normal applications process. If it does not, contact Ucas and ask for one because you will need to send it to the university that offers you a place.

What are admissions tutors looking for when they are deciding whether or not to accept a student through clearing?

Richard Broom:

Admission tutors are looking for people who are committed, keen and can demonstrate an interest in the course for which they are applying. Make sure you can demonstrate your reasons for wanting to study a certain subject and if you can back this up with evidence – with exam results, courses taken and work experience – then all the better.

John O’Leary:

Evidence that you are capable of succeeding on their course. Obviously, this involves exam results, but tutors are also swayed by enthusiasm for the subject and/or the university in question. Work experience or wider reading may come into the equation, as in the original applications process, and persistence is often rewarded in clearing.

Christine Tyler:

From my experience, based on students I have known who have been successful in clearing, admissions tutors want to be sure that you have thought through your decision to apply to their course and university with care. They will want assurances that it is their university and course rather than any port in a storm that you are applying for, and that you have taken the trouble to find out where they are and what distinguishes their offer from others. So you should do some preliminary research before you call them up to discuss possibilities.

Remember to ensure that you meet the minimum entry requirements for the course you are interested in and, if you have decided to go for a different course from the one you originally applied for be sure that you know why and expect to justify your change of choice. If the course you have chosen is related to a particular interest or career that you wish to follow, displaying your enthusiasm and commitment to this may well impress them. If you are truly enthusiastic about something, it does come through to listeners, so don’t be afraid to share your interests when speaking to admissions tutors.

They are also looking for genuine applicants, so there is no point in asking your parents or a friend to ring up on your behalf as admissions tutors will soon suss out if they are not speaking to the applicant and will not be impressed! This is about your future, so you should deal with it first hand.

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