Top tips if you don’t make the grade

Date published: 14 August 2014


IT may seem like everyone is celebrating their A-levels results today.

But what do you do if you failed to get the grades you need for university?

“Don’t panic” and “stay positive” is the advice from Jem Marshall, school and college liaison at University Campus Oldham.

Last year over 57,000 university places were found through the clearing — which allows students to apply for courses which have vacancies.

These are Jem’s top 10 tips.

1 Keep calm. If you narrowly miss the grades you require, you could still be offered a place. Check the status of your application on UCAS (University and Colleges Admissions Service) track before you ring universities to enquire about places on alternative courses through clearing.

2 Keep an open mind. By considering courses that weren’t your first choice, there is a good chance you will be able to find one to suit you through clearing.

3 Be flexible. A module in your original choice of subject may be part of an alternative course. If you aren’t able to get a place on an undergraduate degree you may be offered a place on an HND (Higher National Diploma) or foundation programme.

4 Be prepared. When you call a university’s clearing helpline, you might suddenly find yourself in a telephone interview with an admissions tutor.

Make sure you have all your grades to hand and jot down everything you want to ask. You’ll feel more confident and be able to impress.

5 Be available. You may be asked to attend an interview so make sure you are available during the clearing period. It will be difficult to secure a place if you are away on holiday. Call universities yourself, rather than asking a parent or friend to do it for you. Admissions tutors will want to be sure that you have a genuine interest in their course and will aim to help you make the right decision.

6 Sell yourself. Your confidence may have been knocked but be positive. Show your communication skills and let the admissions tutor know that you are keen. Mention any relevant work experience you’ve done if you are applying for a professionally-focused course such as teaching, nursing or social work.

7 Be quick off the mark. The earlier you call universities the better. But remember that there will be lots of other students in the same situation so lines can be busy, particularly early on in the day.

8 But don’t rush to accept the first place you are offered. Think about all your options. Talk to friends, family members, tutors or careers advisers , but don’t be pushed into something you’re unsure about or don’t want to do.

Where and what you decide to study will determine what you do for the next three or four years and possibly beyond that into your career. If you’re still unsure, you may want to consider alternatives such as taking a year out, gaining some additional qualifications or studying something completely different.

9 Ask yourself some key questions. Is this a subject that you are interested in? What type of university would best suit you? Do you want to stay close to home or study at a university at the other end of the country? Do you want to live in a big city or nearer to the countryside? Is university accommodation available? What facilities does the university have in your chosen subject? What sports or social activities are available? Is your hobby catered for by the student societies?

10 But don’t take too long to decide. Although there are quite a lot of places available through clearing, they can be taken up quickly, particularly on the more popular courses.

Keep in touch with the university after your initial approach to let the admissions office know that you are still interested. Ask if you can visit the university — you’ll get more of an idea of what university life is like on campus.