Top tips for Clearing from a university admissions director

As A-Level results day approaches, students across the UK will be waiting in anticipation to find out how they performed in their exams – and if they got the university place they hoped for.

But if their results aren’t quite as expected they can use Clearing to secure a place on a University course.

Clearing helps students find a university or college place and covers lots of scenarios — from different grades than expected, including higher than predicted results, to students changing their minds about where, or what, they want to study.

For those that unexpectedly find themselves entering the Clearing process it can feel daunting, but approached with the right mindset, it isn’t just an exciting process, it’s a potentially life-changing one.

Amy Smith, Associate Director of Admissions and Student Recruitment at Nottingham Trent University, one of the largest universities in the UK, offers her top tips for a smooth Clearing application:

• Take time to do some proper research by looking at courses online before making any calls – there is no harm in having a plan ready now
• Clearing applications are usually made over the phone — but check university and college websites ahead of results day to find out how to apply. If you are applying online, take your time, make sure you complete all the fields and double check the information is correct before submitting
• Before you make any calls, have all the essentials on hand — your results, including GCSEs and any other Level 2 qualifications, courses of interest, and a pen and paper
• It must be the student that contacts universities during the Clearing process, so it might help to have someone focused and supportive on hand to help prepare for calls
• During the call, speak clearly and listen to what the adviser is saying, note down any important information.
• Your offer will be followed up with an email, read it carefully and check all the course details before you accept

“Students come through Clearing for different reasons and, no matter why they’re entering the process, it can be nerve-wracking picking up the phone. Universities will have friendly and helpful advisers on hand so there’s no need to worry. Just do some preparation, take some deep breaths, and take your time.” Amy said.

Gemma Small, who is now part of NTU’s Graduate Development Programme after coming to the university to study Media Production through Clearing, said: “My main advice for Clearing is not to panic. Try and keep a level head, so you can do some effective research and decide what you’ll do next. There will be a place for you somewhere and ending up somewhere unexpected does not mean your university experience has been ruined – it may well have been improved.”

NTU is 1st in the UK for Employability in this year’s Uni Compare rankings. It has been awarded five ‘University of the Year’ titles in six years.

Contact Nottingham Trent University’s Clearing hotline on 0115 848 6000 or visit ntu.ac.uk/clearing