A-level results: FAQ part 2
Thursday 17 August 2006
If you've just got your A-level results, you'll have plenty of questions.
This part of the FAQ concentrates on Clearing and what to do if your grades aren't what you were expecting.
I have not got the grades for Medicine; should I resit my AS/ A-levels and reapply for next year?
You will need even higher grades. Most universities would expect a lot more from prospective students and some do not accept resits.
Evidence and research on resits shows that many students do not improve their grades.
I have not achieved the grades for a Psychology degree. Are there any universities that will accept me with C/ D/ D?
Psychology is one of the most popular degrees; it is likely that you will find it difficult to source places. Consider combined courses and Humanities. Look for a wider range of college and University courses. However, only courses accredited by the British Psychological Society qualify you to practice as a psychologist.
If you choose a psychology-related course which is not accredited then you would have to undertake either a conversion course or take an accredited post-graduate professional training course.
What should I do if I haven't made the grades required by my first choice place?
If you can access www.ucas.com, use Track first. This may tell you whether or not your place is confirmed, without your having to contact the university or college. During Clearing it will be updated several times a day.
If you cannot use Track and you have only narrowly missed the conditions of your offer, ring the university. Be prepared to be patient; lines will be very busy.
If you are unsuccessful but meet the offer at your second choice (CI) place,you will be accepted there.
When do I get my Clearing Passport?
If you were not holding any offers from when you first applied to UCAS, you will have received this in July. Otherwise you will only receive a Clearing Passport (previously known as a Clearing Entry Form) if you do not meet your offers and are turned down by your holding institutions in August.
Don't worry if your Clearing Passport doesn't arrive immediately. While you need this to officially accept a course offer, you can still ring universities before it arrives to see if they will offer you a place.
Can I apply to more than one course on my Clearing Passport?
No. You can only use the Clearing Passport to accept one course. This means you have to be very sure that you want this course and university. Universities cannot accept photocopies or scanned copies of the Passport.
Although it is a very hectic and worrying time you really must take as much care choosing a course in Clearing as you did initially. If you send the Passport off too quickly and then find a course you want more, you may not be able to get your Passport back. Keep hold of it until you are sure.
Remember, this is where you will live and study for at least three years. If possible visit the university or go to your local careers or Connexions centre to look at the range of information they have on different universities.
You can also find information on what universities and their towns are like, plus details of how well they are regarded on websites like www.realuni.com, www.unofficial-guides.com and www.timesonline.co.uk.
I want to look at offers in Clearing, but I'm not sure how to work out what points I've got now that I have my results
The easiest way is to look at the UCAS Tariff which explains the points you receive for each subject grade. This is explained on the UCAS web site or in the front section of the UCAS 2006 Entry Guide - 'The Big Guide'.
Read part 1 for info on resitting, re-marking, taking a year out, foundation degrees, tracking your application, rejecting your firm offer.
