Thousands of A-level students across the UK are opening their results today (13th August), and for many, today will bring a mixture of relief, excitement — and, for some, real disappointment. When the grades on the page do not match the offer you were holding, it can feel as though the ground has shifted beneath your feet.
But there is no need to panic. Students who have not secured their first-choice university place still have a genuinely effective option available to them: university clearing. The clearing process exists specifically to match students with remaining course vacancies at UK universities, and it is open to anyone who missed their grade requirements, submitted their application late, or has simply had a change of mind about what they want to study.
For those who do want to pursue a university place, picking up the phone and ringing a clearing hotline is the critical first step - and it need not be as intimidating as it sounds.
Careers adviser Hannah Morton-Hedges, who founded Momentum Careers Advice, has shared a detailed guide on TikTok breaking down exactly how to handle the call, reassuring students that university admissions teams will be ready and waiting to hear from them.
What to say when you first call
Hannah's key piece of advice is straightforward: do not overthink your opening. When someone answers your call, you simply need to tell them your name, state the course you are interested in, and ask whether they are able to make you a verbal offer. That is all it takes to get the conversation started, according to Hannah.
Once you have done that, the admissions team will take over. They will be experienced in handling exactly this kind of call and will guide you through the rest of the process — so your job at that point is simply to listen and respond honestly.
What information do you need to have ready?
Before you make your call, it is important to have a few key details to hand. You will need either your clearing number or your UCAS ID. Hannah points out that you do not need a clearing number in order to take part in clearing, but if you have been assigned one, you should be prepared to provide it.
The admissions team will also ask you about your A-level grades. Be honest — there is nothing to be gained from misrepresenting your results. However, if there are contextual factors or mitigating circumstances that affected your performance, this is absolutely the right time to raise them.
What happens next during the call?
After you have shared your results, the admissions team will assess your application. Hannah explains that there are a few ways things might go from here.
In the best-case scenario, they will make you a verbal offer on the spot. Alternatively, they may ask you follow-up questions, for instance, why you want to study the course, so it is a good idea to think about this in advance and be ready to show genuine enthusiasm for your chosen subject. In some cases, unfortunately, they may not be able to offer you a place.
Do not be discouraged if the team needs more time to reach a decision. Some universities, particularly for competitive courses with high demand, will tell you they need to review your application further and will follow up by email. For programmes where places are extremely limited, you may even be invited to attend a face-to-face interview before a final decision is made.
Questions to ask before you hang up
Before the call ends, Hannah urges students to use the opportunity to ask any questions they may have. The admissions team should invite you to do this, and it is important not to let the moment pass.
Useful things to ask about include student accommodation availability, whether there are any additional entry requirements for the course, and whether you can expect to receive written confirmation of any verbal offer made during the call.
What to do if you are turned down
Being rejected during a clearing call is not the end of the road. Hannah recommends asking the admissions team directly whether there are any similar courses at the same university that they think you might be a good fit for. They can check their systems and may well be able to point you towards an alternative programme you had not previously considered.
