With results day coming up for A-level students in the UK, students should make themselves aware of the options available to them if they don’t get into their university of choice. One of these options is Clearing.
Clearing is the process where applicants are matched, through UCAS, to university places that haven’t yet been filled. During the process, students call universities to discuss potential course options.
Clearing is expected to be busier than ever this year. UCAS have predicted a record 80,000 students will use Clearing to find a university place, which its chief executive predicts will be “probably the busiest yet.” This is at least partially due to the disruption of COVID-19, which has impacted gap years, internships and placements, and has led to many students studying online.
Pete Edge, director of admissions, access and participation at The University of Law gives us some insider tips on how to get the best possible offer when talking to universities during Clearing.
Use Clearing Plus as a supplementary tool
This year UCAS have introduced a new Clearing Plus system, which automatically matches applicants to suitable universities. Students have the option to use this new system if they choose.
However, Edge indicated that this new system is still quite limited in scope and will be developed further in the coming years.
“My advice would be to use it as a supplementary tool, but not as a replacement for your own diligent research,” said Edge. “It will, however, give you options you perhaps haven’t considered, which you can then research more.”
Do some research beforehand
Clearing this year runs until 20th October 2020, but universities will exit Clearing once they no longer have free spaces. You can find about a university’s closing dates on their website. This short window to apply means it’s vital to do some preparation in advance.
So, when should you start preparing for Clearing? Doing some research before you receive your results is advisable, Edge revealed, even if you think you’re likely to get your required grades. This will ensure you’re completely prepared if you do go into Clearing.
“Treat it exactly like you would have done when you when you made your initial choices in the main cycle,” he advised.
He suggests creating a scoring matrix to compare courses and universities. “You can include things that matter most to you and then see which university and course combination comes out on top,” explained Edge.
You can hear more about students’ experiences with Clearing on the University of Law's website.
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