A-level results day 2019: how does clearing work?

Teenagers across England, Wales and Northern Ireland are finding out today whether they got the A-level grades needed to get into their chosen universities.

But even if their grades aren’t high enough to meet their preferred offer, there is another way to secure a university place.

The clearing system gives students the opportunity to switch universities, apply for a degree at the last minute or to alter their choices once exam results have been sent out.

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Figures from the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (Ucas) show that a record 17,520 students applied through clearing last year – an 18% increase on 2016, The Guardian reports. Indeed, around one in eight people accepted to full-time university courses get there through this system.

And a record 80,000 students are expected to take up places on degrees through clearing this year, says The Independent.

“A total of 30,000 courses still have spaces, including more than 4,600 courses at the elite Russell Group universities, which are the most selective in the country,” the newspaper reports.

Ucas chief executive Clare Marchant says that clearing “offers a new direction” for students.

“It’s important to take some time today to speak with teachers, parents, and universities for help and advice to make a fully informed decision that’s right for you,” she added. “Students with a confirmed place can reflect, and if they want to change their mind, they can release themselves online to enter clearing.”

So if you didn’t meet your required grades, don’t panic; here’s a look at your options.

What do students do first if their results are worse than expected?

For starters, remember that “it’s not the end of the world”, says the BBC. “Whatever you decide, try to stay calm and make decisions when you’ve had a chance to think things through.”

Teachers will be able to advise students on what to do next. Some students will have missed out on their first choice but may still be offered a place on their second, the “insurance” option.

Others may not be able to take up either offer – and clearing is their next step.

What is clearing – and how long does it take?

Clearing is the process of matching would-be students who no longer have an offer from a university – usually because they didn’t make the grades – to universities with unfilled places.

Some of those empty slots are created because the students to whom they were promised have not achieved the required grades. Most spaces are filled within a few days, so students have to act quickly to secure a position.

How does clearing work?

Would-be students need to take charge of the process, finding an alternative course from the official list of vacancies, researching it and then calling the university in question directly to try to secure a place.

Nick Hull, head of admissions at the University of Southampton, advises candidates to create a short list, reports The Daily Telegraph.

“You can’t possibly phone every university on the day you get your results, so you need a top five or a top ten to focus your search for a place,” he says.

Candidates should also consider why they made their original choices, from liking the university’s location to wanting to attend the highest-ranking place for their preferred course. “Whatever the reason, you will probably be wanting a similar experience,” says Hull.

And don’t worry if you “feel emotional or nervous”, adds Lynsey Hopkins, admissions chief at Sheffield University. “The people you speak to will be used to dealing with students in your stressful situation, and will understand,” she points out.

Where do students find a list of vacancies?

Ucas, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service, maintains an official list of vacancies on its website. It also runs a customer support centre on 0371 468 0468 that advises individuals on their progress through clearing.

Are the best courses available through clearing?

Course available through clearing used to be viewed as consolation prizes, but this is changing.

The Daily Telegraph reports that at least 12 out of the 24 universities in the elite Russell Group are offering places through clearing this year.

The Guardian notes that even Cambridge is entering clearing for the first time this year, with “places reserved for students from disadvantaged backgrounds”.