Advice available for Caerphilly County students as they await A-level results

Over 40 career advisers will be answering the phones, Facebook and Twitter pages of the Exam Results Helpline from 8am on A-level results day until Monday, August 24. Ucas’ social media team will be around from 6am and the contact centre opens at 7.30am for enquiries.

Delivered by university admissions service UCAS, the helpline opens for ten days across the exam results period to support schools, colleges and existing careers advice services during a potentially very demanding time. This may also give you a chance to sell yourself and mention the subjects you have done well in, your extra AS grades and any other information which could help your application progress.

You don’t need to do anything if you have been successful in getting your insurance offer. Some sixth-formers have already given themselves a head start by early registration for clearing, a opportunity only offered by a few universities. This is only possible from 5pm on results day, so that you have time to think about it. You are only able to add one course, unless that university does not confirm your offer.

“There are those who achieve better grades than expected and those whose career plans have changed since they made their original university choices”.

What happens if I want to defer my offer?

He said: “Your teachers at your school or college are best placed to give you the advice you need – whether it’s on going to university or training”.

Ucas’ Clearing process lets you apply for courses that still have places available. It’s worth ringing them to see what your current status is, so you know what steps to take next.

The clearing process for students who missed out on their offered university places will begin on results day and continue until late September. Know what subjects you’re looking for, and make sure you have thought about why you want to study it at university. Students can also talk to Clearing line advisors to find a course that’s suitable for them.

Universities are readying themselves to award a record-breaking number of places to students this summer through clearing, as young people race to secure places before maintenance grants are scrapped.

While Clearing may have closed again for applications, when the full vacancy list is published at 6pm on Wednesday, August 12, you can be sure that many of these universities will be on the lookout for applicants. If you sign up you can still go through Clearing in the same way as previous years.