Your university clearing survival guide ahead of results day

Students awaiting university results can navigate the clearing process by proactively outlining all possible outcomes and identifying alternative courses, according to education consultant Clementine Wade. She advises students to use the UCAS website's search tool, which lists official vacancies and can be filtered by study year and course type.

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If I get AAA, then I could do physics at Sussex. BBC could be physics at Aberystwyth. CCD could be physics at Nottingham Trent.

Wade emphasizes the importance of discussing any desire to change course choices with a trusted advisor, such as a family member or teacher. Students should reflect on their initial reasons for choosing a particular subject and their current motivations for considering a change.

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The good thing about clearing is that you can apply to as many universities as you want, unlike with Ucas, where you are limited to five.

Haadi Nasir, a student at the University of Manchester, shared his experience of successfully applying through clearing after initially planning a gap year. Persuaded by family and friends to apply after achieving strong grades, he used his A-level teachers' help to submit a UCAS form and apply to six universities via clearing, ultimately choosing Manchester for politics and modern history. He noted that clearing allows applications to unlimited universities, unlike the initial UCAS application limit of five.

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That was definitely stress-relieving.

Nasir recommends students prepare notes on location, accommodation, and costs for each university they contact. He also stresses verifying entry requirements before calling, as his university required a specific A-level. Wade advises students to wait until they have their results in hand before checking UCAS Track to avoid unnecessary stress and to make informed decisions.

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You will need a referee, which is why I'd suggest doing it now.