Clearing and results day 2021: prepare your back-up plan
Need a Plan B just in case results day doesn't go your way? The good news is you don't have to start your course search all over again...
Even if you feel confident in the run-up to results day, it doesn't hurt to have a back-up plan just in case things go awry.
This could be a few similar courses at different universities to seek out in Clearing which you'd be happy to go to; or a completely different path if a satisfactory replacement course doesn't stand out.
As well as thinking about Clearing, it might be worth quickly finding out how to appeal A-level grades in case something doesn't go how you expect it to.
These are universities and courses you’ve previously researched and thought seriously about going to – and the fact that you’ve applied to them through Ucas already will prove your interest in them when you call them in Clearing.
There are no guarantees those universities will have relevant Clearing vacancies for you, of course. But thinking back to these can remind you what you were looking for in the first place and get you into that mindset once again. Have your priorities changed since then? What are you willing to compromise on that you were a bit stubborn about before? Perhaps the buzzing city nightlife or how close a uni is to home are no longer so high on that list...
Now that you've thought again what matters most to you, use our course search to find alternative courses.
Create a shortlist of universities you’d seriously consider going to, jot down their Clearing hotlines and make sure you’re following them on Twitter for up-to-the minute course vacancies come results day.
Pull together a Google Doc with their key contact numbers and URLs, to save you Googling or waiting for sites to load on the day (when they'll be getting a ton of visits).
And remember that you can shortlist courses on The Uni Guide too.
If you’ve got your heart set on a particular subject area, would you be prepared to combine it with another as part of a joint degree? Or if you’ve got a particular career goal in mind, is there a similar course that can help you get there?
While some courses are listed in Clearing from July, the majority of vacancies won't become available until A-level results are published. However, having a realistic idea of how flexible you're prepared to be before the hectic day arrives means you don't have to rush these important decisions on the day and you can make a choice that you won't regret.
Learn more about a subject at degree level: browse our subject guides
But don't switch to a different course and university purely because its entry requirements are AAA rather than AAB. Make sure you've thoroughly researched both and that they're a good match for you. Just because a university came higher in the most recent uni league tables, your original choice may have a better reputation for your field.
Similarly, your original choice may have a certain 'something' that another university doesn't have when it comes to the local area. If you find yourself looking at a uni in another part of the country, read our guide to choosing the right student city for you.
This could be a few similar courses at different universities to seek out in Clearing which you'd be happy to go to; or a completely different path if a satisfactory replacement course doesn't stand out.
As well as thinking about Clearing, it might be worth quickly finding out how to appeal A-level grades in case something doesn't go how you expect it to.
Start with your original course choices
Before you trudge away to start your uni course search all over again, hold on! You’ve already got one shortlist to refer to if you don’t meet your offers – your original Ucas choices.These are universities and courses you’ve previously researched and thought seriously about going to – and the fact that you’ve applied to them through Ucas already will prove your interest in them when you call them in Clearing.
There are no guarantees those universities will have relevant Clearing vacancies for you, of course. But thinking back to these can remind you what you were looking for in the first place and get you into that mindset once again. Have your priorities changed since then? What are you willing to compromise on that you were a bit stubborn about before? Perhaps the buzzing city nightlife or how close a uni is to home are no longer so high on that list...
Now that you've thought again what matters most to you, use our course search to find alternative courses.
Definitely plan things out. Be realistic with your expected grades, so when you get them, you can be proud of what you achieved! Make sure you have something fun planned for late August
– results day is harder if it's the be-all-and-end-all!
Shortlist alternative universities
While a handful of universities don’t take part, many universities offered places in Clearing last year, including some Russell Group universities. Look at the websites for universities you’re interested in – do they offer courses through Clearing?Create a shortlist of universities you’d seriously consider going to, jot down their Clearing hotlines and make sure you’re following them on Twitter for up-to-the minute course vacancies come results day.
Pull together a Google Doc with their key contact numbers and URLs, to save you Googling or waiting for sites to load on the day (when they'll be getting a ton of visits).
And remember that you can shortlist courses on The Uni Guide too.
Consider different-but-similar courses
While it's probably not advisable for a prospective history student to start applying for physics vacancies during Clearing time, don't automatically discount alternative courses. Think about what you really want to get out of your degree studies - there may be Clearing vacancies in a similar area that still allow you to achieve those ambitions, which suit your strengths or can help you get into a particular career field.Don’t assume you know what a course is about based on the name alone – do your homework to show your commitment. And don’t think that gaining a place on an alternative course can be used as a way of transferring on to a more competitive course at the same university.
If you’ve got your heart set on a particular subject area, would you be prepared to combine it with another as part of a joint degree? Or if you’ve got a particular career goal in mind, is there a similar course that can help you get there?
You may have a particular course in mind that you intend to study but check university websites. There may be very similar courses on offer you weren't aware of.
While some courses are listed in Clearing from July, the majority of vacancies won't become available until A-level results are published. However, having a realistic idea of how flexible you're prepared to be before the hectic day arrives means you don't have to rush these important decisions on the day and you can make a choice that you won't regret.
Learn more about a subject at degree level: browse our subject guides
The gap year option
If you don't think you're able to compromise on your course or university choices, taking a year out to retake your exams or build on your work experience may put you in a stronger position next time round.
Give this some serious thought beforehand, though. Would your original choices accept a second application? What would you do for an entire year? Make sure you map out exactly how you'd spend a gap year well ahead of results day.
Feeling confident?
If you feel like an exam went significantly better than expected, try dreaming a little bigger (without getting too far ahead of yourself). You could 'trade-up' through Ucas Adjustment and get a place on a more competitive course with higher entry requirements.
You’ll have to register for Adjustment in Track then contact universities as they don’t publish a list unlike Clearing. You can only accept one Adjustment offer, which will replace your unconditional firm choice – so be certain that you want to make the change.
But don't switch to a different course and university purely because its entry requirements are AAA rather than AAB. Make sure you've thoroughly researched both and that they're a good match for you. Just because a university came higher in the most recent uni league tables, your original choice may have a better reputation for your field.
Similarly, your original choice may have a certain 'something' that another university doesn't have when it comes to the local area. If you find yourself looking at a uni in another part of the country, read our guide to choosing the right student city for you.
Got your back-up plan sorted?
- Still apprehensive about results day? See what you can expect from the day and how other students survived Clearing.
- Don't do well under pressure? There are a few more ways you can get a head start on Clearing, including preparing for how a Clearing call can go and common questions that are asked on these.
- Have an alternative course in mind? Our course pages and university profiles contain lots of info to help you dig deeper, including what students really think, typical employment outcomes and much more.
