Clearing top tips

Our students and staff have put together a collection of top tips to help you through Clearing:

• Prepare in advance
  Even if you’re feeling confident, do some contingency planning by making a list of possible alternative courses and universities. This will be easy to check against the Clearing listings when they are published.
• Don’t go on holiday!
  If you do need to go through Clearing, being near a phone and computer is important, and being out of the country will make it a far more difficult process. Plan holidays around results day.
• Check UCAS Track
  If you become eligible to use Clearing, an 'Add Clearing choice' button will become available on your Track Choices screen. If you’re unsure, check directly with your firm and insurance choices as soon as possible.
• Check the official Clearing listings
  You’ll find these on the UCAS website, the Telegraph website or the websites of individual universities.
• Consider alternative courses
  Maximise your choices by trying to be flexible. For example, consider a joint course with another subject instead of a single subject course.
• Start ringing possible universities straight away
  Time is of the essence on results day, and places on popular courses can be filled very quickly!
• Always make the phone call yourself
  Universities are unable to offer places unless they are actually speaking to the candidate.
• Be prepared
  Have your exam results to hand. It’s also useful to have a copy of your personal statement nearby as the university may want to ask you questions about your suitability for the course.