What to Do When You Get Your
Results
Conditional Firm (CF) and Conditional Insurance (CI) Offers
CF
If you have made/exceeded the results you needed for your CF, congratulations! You will be placed at that university, and you will shortly receive a confirmation letter from UCAS and details
from your university.
If you have just missed your CF, you should check on UCAS Track and/or contact your university,
to see if you have been accepted anyway.
It may be that your university has not yet made a decision on your
application and you may need to wait a little while to find out if you’ve got a
place.
CI
If you missed your CF offer, but made the requirements for your CI (and you have checked that your CF has rejected you, as mentioned
above) you will be placed at your CI university, and
you will shortly receive a confirmation
letter from UCAS and details from your university.
Changed Course/Year offers (UCC)
If you end up contacting either your CF or CI universities
or checking on UCAS Track because you missed out on their offers, you may be offered a place on
an alternative (usually similar) course, or (rarely) the same course but with a
different start date. You do not have to accept these offers. You can accept or reject such offers via UCAS Track. If you reject them, you can go into clearing.
Making Changes
When you accepted your CF and CI offers, you
were entering into a serious contract
with the universities. You cannot, at a later stage, simply change
your mind. So, if your
CF place is confirmed (check on UCAS Track), you must go there. The same applies to your CI choice, if you
are declined for your CF offer.
If, despite all that, you still want to change your
mind, you can only do so by contacting the university directly and asking them
to withdraw the offer of a place they made to you. They will probably agree, but it’s not
guaranteed. Speak to them very nicely,
and be prepared with a really good reason!
Below is an extract from the UCAS
website FAQs covering this issue:
|
I've already
accepted an offer - can I decline it and enter Clearing instead?
Your acceptance is a serious
contractual agreement, and you cannot simply decline the place at this stage.
If you're already holding an offer, you'd need to contact the university or
college to discuss your options. If they agree to withdraw your offer, you'll
be entered into Clearing. Think about why you've changed your mind about your
original offer before making any decisions, because if they agree to withdraw
your offer, the place will then be available to someone else. There's also no
guarantee that you'll be accepted for a place in Clearing.
I've met the
grades for my firm offer but I now want to go to my insurance
choice. What should I do?
You have made a commitment to your
firm choice so if you no longer want to attend the course you should contact
the university or college to discuss your situation. As soon as you were
accepted at your firm choice, your insurance choice would have been informed.
This means that the place is no longer
held for you, even if you have met the terms of the offer. You will need
to contact them to see if they can still offer you the place. If your firm choice agree to withdraw your offer, you will be entered
into Clearing. If your insurance choice can still offer you a place, they can
make you an offer in Clearing.
I didn't
meet the grades for my firm choice but I don't want to go to my insurance
choice - can I apply elsewhere?
You have made a commitment to your
insurance choice, so if you no longer want to attend you should contact the
university or college to discuss your situation. If they agree to withdraw
your offer, you can then apply for another course in Clearing.
I've
accepted a place in Clearing, but I've changed my mind and want to apply
somewhere else. What should I do?
Your acceptance of the place was a
serious contractual agreement, and if you wish to be released from this
commitment, you will need to speak directly to the university or college
concerned. If you get their agreement you will need to contact us to ask for
a new Clearing Passport.
I've
accepted a place in Clearing but want to change certain details such as
course/date of entry/entry point. What should I do?
You should speak urgently to the
university or college concerned. The university or college should then notify
us and we will send you a letter confirming the changes
|
What to Do If You Miss Your Grades!
·
Don’t panic! Check on UCAS Track/contact the university (see above
for guidance).
Despite missing a grade/s you, may still be accepted.
·
Clearing (see below
for guidance) is available for those who do not hold any university offers. You
will automatically be sent a Clearing Passport but there is a lot you can do in the meantime. It is also available for those applying for
2009 who do not hold any offers, although you could
simply apply again in September 2008.
·
You
may be able to do the same course (with lower entry grades) at another
university. Be careful. The same
course title does NOT necessarily
mean the same course content, or style of teaching. Do your research. Check for vacancies on www.ucas.com. Official
course vacancies are also printed in The
Independent newspaper. There will be daily changes
·
Perhaps
reconsider your course subject- maybe similar types of courses, or combined
courses. Don’t just select a course
because there are vacancies!!
·
Contact the
university yourself! You should speak to the universities
yourself; it gives a much better impression but take advice! Have your
UCAS application number, clearing number (available on UCAS Track) details of your GCSE, AS and
A level results to hand. Be persistent;
telephone lines are likely to be busy.
·
Be
prepared for a telephone interview! Be
positive; sell yourself; talk about why you
are suited to the course etc.
·
Don’t jump at
the first offer! Do your research; consult with parent,
teachers etc. Find out about the university course, perhaps visiting the
university before you accept.
·
Consider
a resit,
but only if you are 100% confident of improving. Have you the commitment? Take
advice from teachers. Look at module marks to see how close you were/what is required.
·
Careers advice
–
is a degree the best/only option? Investigate other types of courses e.g. HNDs,
a two year course which can be ‘topped up’ to a degree.
CLEARING
If you have missed both your CF and your CI offer requirements, first of all, check on UCAS Track and/or contact your universities
to see if you have been accepted anyway.
If both your CF and CI have
rejected you, you are eligible for CLEARING, where you may be able to find (and apply for) suitable
vacancies on higher education courses.
Clearing is a system where candidates who have been rejected by both CF and CI universities can look for alternative courses and
institutions. Full details can be found at http://www.ucas.com/clearing/
How Does It Work?
|
You are eligible for Clearing
if you applied in the current application year and if:
·
you have not
withdrawn your application;
and
·
you hold no offers;
or
·
your offers have not been
confirmed because you have not met the conditions (eg
you have not achieved the required grades); or
·
you declined your
offers or had not responded by the due date; or
·
your offers have not
been confirmed, and you have declined any alternative offers from the same
university (see Changed Course/Year
Offers above); or
·
you applied after 30 June (12 June for Route B art and design courses).
If UCAS received your application after these dates, they will not have sent
it to any universities and colleges.
|
UCAS will send you a Clearing Passport and number (number is also available on UCAS Track).
You will also need your UCAS application number.
The UCAS website (www.ucas.com/clearing) will publish an interactive
course vacancy service, which operates between Thursday August 14th and Friday September 12th. Information concerning vacancies
will be continually updated. Information
will also be published in The Independent
newspaper.
Seven Steps to Securing A Place Through Clearing
Preparation and research are everything!
Feel free to
approach as many universities and colleges as you wish during Clearing. Don't
feel that you have to accept the first offer that you receive: remember that
you will be spending at least three years studying the course, so please make
sure that the university or college and course are right for you before you
accept a place.
Step 1 - get some advice
Talk to a
teacher, careers adviser or Connexions personal adviser at your school, college
or local careers office. They can help you decide which courses and subjects
would be most suitable for you, particularly if your original UCAS application
was unsuccessful. Remember that you will still need to meet the minimum entry
requirements for a course.
Step 2 - search for vacancies
Find out which
courses have vacancies and make a note of the ones you are interested in. You
don't have to stick to the subject choices you made originally - there may be
other areas which you now realise might suit you better. Take advice, and keep
an open mind. Official lists are published on the UCAS website and in The Independent from Thursday 14th August until Friday September 12th
Step 3 - check that the course is suitable
Find out if the
content of the course meets your needs, and check the entry requirements.
Step 4 - speak to universities and colleges
Start
contacting the universities and colleges about the courses that interest you as
soon as you can. You can use the details on the institution details page to
contact them. We recommend that you either telephone,
email or call in person, but you can write if you prefer.
Keep your
Clearing Passport handy, because a university or college that is interested
in you will ask for details such as your Clearing number and your application
number and Personal ID. You will probably also be asked questions about your
exam results.
The lists are
updated continually, but not all universities or colleges run courses with
vacancies in Clearing, and some vacancies may be filled quickly. There is no
guarantee that places will be available on any particular course. At the same
time, a course that is full may have vacancies later. Remember, if you declined
an offer from a university or college earlier in the year you can contact it
again to see if they will accept you in Clearing, either for the same course or
any other.
Step 5 - decide which course to accept
If a
university or college is happy that you meet its requirements, it might ask you
to send it your Clearing Passport. When someone asks for your Clearing
Passport, he or she wants to confirm your place.
You should
only complete and send off your Clearing passport if you're sure the course is
for you.
Better still, take it there yourself. The best way to find out more about a
university or college, its accommodation and social life, is to make a visit
and have a good look around. Most institutions are happy to make arrangements
to meet applicants and show them around, and many will have open days. They
know that you could be spending the next three or four years there, and that
you want to be sure you are making the right choice: they want you to be happy
too! If you are applying for art and design courses, be ready to take a
portfolio of work with you.
Step 6 - send your Clearing Passport
Send your
Clearing Passport to a university or college only if you decide
definitely to accept the offer of a place. The university or college
will insist that you send the original Clearing Passport, not a photocopy or
fax. If you're not convinced the course is for you, politely explain and carry
on contacting other universities and colleges.
Any offer made
either verbally or in writing is unofficial until the university or college has
received your Clearing Passport and told UCAS about your place. Make sure that
you read the information on the Clearing Passport carefully before sending it
to your chosen university or college.
Step 7 - confirm your acceptance of the place
The university
or college will tell us that you have accepted their offer, and we will then
write to you to confirm your place. This letter - known as a Confirmation
letter - will explain whether there is anything you need to do now. You might
be asked to email the university or college in certain circumstances, depending
on their policy. Once you receive this letter, you will be pleased to know that
you have officially gained a place.
By taking up
this place, you accept the university's or college's
terms and conditions, so you must read all about them in their prospectus or
other published materials.
Clearing FAQs
Edited list,
taken from UCAS site. See http://www.ucas.ac.uk/clearing/faqs.html for full details.
·
How
do I know if I am eligible for Clearing?
Track will tell you
if you are eligible - if you are, Track
will display your Clearing Number, and the Clearing Passport will be on its
way. You are eligible for Clearing if
you have applied in the current 2008 application cycle, you have not withdrawn your application and if you have paid the full
application fee of £15, and:
§ you hold no offers; or
§ your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the
conditions (eg you have not achieved the required
grades); or
§ you declined your offers or had not responded by the due date; or
§ your offers have not been confirmed, and you have declined any
alternative offers from the same university (see Changed Course/Year Offers above); or
§ you applied
after 30 June (12 June for Route B art and design courses). If UCAS received
your application after these dates, they will not have sent it to any
universities and colleges.
If
you originally applied for one choice, paid £5, and you are not holding an
offer, you need to make the additional payment of £10. You can do this on Track using a debit or credit card.
·
I
met the grades but my university has not yet confirmed my place. What should I
do?
Don't
worry - if you have met all the conditions then your place will be confirmed in
due course, and will be shown first on Track.
If you are really concerned then by all means contact the university/college,
but don't forget that lines will be very busy.
·
I
didn't meet the grades but my university has not yet declined my place. What
should I do to get into Clearing?
Even
if you didn't meet the conditions, the university/college may still be prepared
to accept you for the original course/entry date or to offer you an
alternative. You should speak to them directly to discuss your options. If they
are not willing to offer you the same course or an alternative, they should
decline your offer as soon as possible.
·
I
see on Track that an offer has changed to 'Changed course' (UCC). What does
this mean, and what should I do?
This
means that your university or college has been unable to confirm your place on
the course you accepted because you have not met the original conditions, but
they are willing to make an alternative offer. You can choose whether to accept
or decline the offer. You'll be able to reply on Track - if you're holding a firm and an insurance choice, you can
reply once a decision has been received for both.
Your
response depends on the status of your application as follows:
If
you applied to just one choice then you can either accept the change, or, if
you paid the full application fee of £15, decline it and go into Clearing. If
you only paid a £5 fee then you can move into Clearing by paying the further
£10 from your Track screen and then
declining the changed offer. Once you have done that, the Clearing Number will
appear on Track and your Clearing
Passport will be issued to you by post.
If
you applied for more than one course, but are holding only one offer, then you
can either accept the change, or decline it and go into Clearing
automatically.
If
you applied for more than one course and are holding a firm and an insurance
offer:
You
are offered a change by the firm choice - you must either accept or decline the
revised firm offer. If you decline it, then you will either be placed with the
insurance choice or, if they decline you, move automatically into Clearing.
You
are offered a change by the insurance choice - you will not be able to accept
it unless, and until, the firm choice declines your place. You can however
decline the insurance change knowing that, if you are declined by the firm
choice as well, you will be automatically entered into Clearing.
You
are offered changes by both firm and insurance choices - you may accept EITHER
change via Track, OR decline both and
move automatically into Clearing.
·
I
haven't heard from my choices. What
should I do?
If
you haven't heard from your university or college, read through the conditions
of the offer to check that they are not waiting for further details from you, eg exam certificates or health checks.
If
you haven't met the conditions, they may still be considering your application.
However, this will depend on whether or not there are any remaining places and
the performance of other applicants. Please bear in mind that not all
applicants have results that are released at the same time as you and the
university or college may have to wait a few days to see if they have vacancies
left.
If
you have met the conditions and the university or college has received
everything they need, you can contact them direct to find out what's happening.
·
When
does Clearing finish?
Our
list of course vacancies in Clearing will be available on this site until
Friday 12 September 2008. After this date you must contact universities and
colleges direct to discuss vacancies. We will still process new applications
received at UCAS up to close of business on Saturday 20 September 2008.
·
How
do I find out what courses are in Clearing?
Check
the UCAS website for a list of courses that are available through Clearing for
all institutions. Vacancies are published from the morning that A Level results
are released. The Independent also
publishes vacancies from the same dates. Clearing vacancies will also be listed
on universities' and colleges' websites.
·
What
is a Clearing Passport?
A
Clearing Passport is a form that we send to you by post as soon as you are
eligible to enter Clearing. It will be sent to the address supplied in your
application. You use the Clearing Passport to secure a place - when you
approach a university or college to ask to be considered, they will ask for the
Clearing Number that will be printed on the Clearing Passport. If they decide
to offer you a place, they will ask you to send the actual document to them.
Please don't send it to us! They will then contact us and we will write to you
confirming their formal offer.
Clearing
Passports are sent to eligible applicants from mid-July onwards. If you are
holding any conditional offers and do not meet the requirements set by your
universities and colleges, then we will send your Clearing Passport to you as
soon as those institutions have contacted us.
You
should only send your Clearing Passport to a university or college if you are
sure that you wish to attend the course.
·
Can
I apply to a different course through Clearing to the one I originally applied to?
Yes,
you can apply for any course with vacancies that you're interested in. However,
think about your options carefully before accepting an offer. The latest
vacancy information lists will be displayed on this website from 5 August
(Scotland) or 14 August (all vacancies), and will be updated continuously until
12 September. Please be aware that the universities/colleges will receive your
original personal statement so you may wish to send them a revised copy.
·
How
many universities and colleges can I approach?
As
many as you like! Remember that some universities and colleges may not make you
an offer, and that some may make you an offer for a different course to the one
you asked them about. You must only send out your Clearing Passport to the
university or college whose offer you really want to accept, so think carefully
before you do so. If a course offer is not quite what you want, thank them
politely and keep on looking.
·
Can
I apply through clearing if I don't have a reference?
The
reference is a vital part of your application. We cannot process your
application without full details of a referee unless you have agreement from
your chosen universities and colleges that a reference is not required. We will
not accept references from family, other relatives or friends.
If
you can't obtain a reference before you send your application to us, you must
give the full details of your nominated referee in the reference section and
type 'Reference to be sent direct to universities and colleges' in the box
supplied for the reference itself. Once we have received and processed your
application, and you have received your application number, you can then send
your reference direct to the universities and colleges that you approach in
Clearing. It is your responsibility to explain the situation to your referee
and ensure that your chosen institutions receive your reference.
·
Can
I apply through Clearing for a place with a start date deferred
to 2009?
Yes,
provided the university or college is willing to consider you for this. Make it
very clear when you contact them that you are enquiring about deferred entry.
If they accept you on that basis, then the confirmation letter we will send you
will show the entry date as 2009. Remember that once you have accepted such a
place you will not be able to apply again in the 2009 cycle.
·
I've
already accepted an offer - can I decline it and enter Clearing
instead?
Your
acceptance is a serious contractual agreement, and you cannot simply decline
the place at this stage. If you're already holding an offer, you'd need to
contact the university or college to discuss your options. If they agree to
withdraw your offer, you'll be entered into Clearing. Think about why you've
changed your mind about your original offer before making any decisions,
because if they agree to withdraw your offer, the place will then be available
to someone else. There's also no guarantee that you'll be accepted for a place
in Clearing.
·
I've
met the grades for my firm offer, but I now want to go to my insurance choice. What should I
do?
You
have made a commitment to your firm choice so if you no longer want to attend the
course you should contact the university or college to discuss your situation.
As soon as you were accepted at your firm choice, your insurance choice would
have been informed. This means that the place is no longer held for you, even
if you have met the terms of the offer. You will need to contact them to see if
they can still offer you the place. If your firm choice agree
to withdraw your offer, you will be entered into Clearing. If your insurance
choice can still offer you a place, they can make you an offer in Clearing.
·
I
didn't meet the grades for my firm choice, but I don't want to go to my insurance choice. Can I apply elsewhere?
You
have made a commitment to your insurance choice, so if you no longer want to
attend you should contact the university or college to discuss your situation.
If they agree to withdraw your offer, you can then apply for another course in
Clearing.
·
I've
accepted a place in Clearing, but I've changed my mind and
want to apply somewhere else. What should I do?
Your
acceptance of the place was a serious contractual agreement, and if you wish to
be released from this commitment, you will need to speak directly to the
university or college concerned. If you get their agreement you will need to
contact us to ask for a new Clearing Passport.
·
I've
accepted a place in Clearing but want to change certain details such as course/date of entry/entry point. What should I do?
You
should speak urgently to the university or college concerned. The university or
college should then notify us and we will send you a letter confirming the
changes
·
I
haven't applied to UCAS yet this year.
Can I enter Clearing?
Yes,
but only if you complete a UCAS application for 2008 entry up to and including
Saturday 20 September 2008. You can do this online using Apply. Once we have
processed your application, we will send you a Clearing Passport which will
explain what you should do next.
If
you have not sent an application to us by 20 September, you should approach the
universities and colleges individually to discuss your options.