Had your A level results? Career Connect has some tips and advice to help you get the best outcome on results day….

Don’t be disappointed if you cannot see (and hug) school or college friends or celebrate on results day. Practicing social distancing is still essential and will help to prevent further spread of the virus. Remember to take your mask and hand sanitizer with you as this will also stop the spread of the virus.

When You Know Your Results:

• Make sure you have your UCAS Track login details and UCAS ID number handy.
• All Clearing vacancies are listed on the UCAS website. This means you can browse through vacancies now, in preparation for Thursday 18 August.
• Apprenticeship vacancies are already available on the National Government Website. Browse these now to see what opportunities are out there if you are considering this option.

 UCAS Offers:

• 9 August/18 August
  • 08:30: UCAS Customer Experience Centre and social media support opens for applicants.
  • 09:00: UCAS Hub is open and students can access their applications.
  • 10:00: Eligible applicants can add a Clearing choice.
  • 18:00: UCAS Customer Success Team, Customer Experience Centre, and social media support closes.
• Check UCAS Track once you have collected your results to check your offers. Your track will have updated, so you should know if you have received an offer from your firm choice or not.
• If you have not had an offer on your ‘firm’, you may have got a place on your ‘insurance’ choice.
• In some instances, if you have not quite met the conditions of your offer, a university may still offer you a place on your chosen course.  So always check UCAS Track, even if you have not done as well as expected!
• Some universities may offer you a place on an alternative course.
• If you have done better than expected, you may be able to go through adjustment if there is another course you are interested in – www.ucas.com/adjustment
• If you have no offers, or reject the offers made to you, you will be eligible to go through Clearing –  www.ucas.com/clearning

 Clearing – Steps to follow:

1. Seek Advice – speak to your school/college careers adviser.
2. See what courses are available – you will find these on the UCAS website.
3. Talk to universities and colleges directly. All universities and colleges have Clearing hotlines open throughout results day. Make sure you have your clearing number (which will appear on your Track home page) and your UCAS ID Number. You must have a verbal offer of a place before you can add a choice online.
4. Add your choice – click ‘add a clearing choice’ and fill in all the details of the course.
5. Don’t panic. Do your research.

Alternatives to HE:

If you don’t want to go to university and have not applied for an apprenticeship or a job, it’s definitely not too late. Seek advice from your school/college careers advisor first. 

Some useful websites for Results Day:

• Career Connect offers careers advice and useful information for young people.  You can also email careers advisers who can provide you with information, advice, and guidance.
• Apprenticeships – use the National Government Website to search and apply for vacancies.
• The National Careers Service – help career choices and education.
• Not Going to Uni is a website showcasing the alternatives to the standard university route to school and college leavers.  Whether you think that university is not for you, or just not for you right now, the site offers advice, guidance and help finding other ways into your chosen career.

 Useful Phone Numbers:

• Exam Results Helpline – 0800 100 900 open from Monday 9 August – Friday 20 August (8.00 am to 8.00 pm Monday to Friday) (10.00 am to 5.00 pm Saturdays)
• National Careers Service – 0800 100 900

Local university clearing hotline numbers:

• University of Liverpool – 0151 794 6800 (open 6:30am)
• Liverpool John Moores University – 0808 5 564 565 (open 6:30am)
• Liverpool Hope University – 0151 291 3636 (open 7:00am)
• Edge Hill University – 0800 028 6677 (open 7:00am)
• Chester University – 0808 1642710 or clearing@chester.ac.uk (open 7.00 am)
• University of Manchester – General: 0161 306 6000, Clearing: 0161 672 8770, Confirmation of place: 0161 804 0050
• Manchester Metropolitan University – General: 0161 247 2000, Clearing: 0161 247 3000
• University of Salford – General: 0161 295 5000, Clearing: 0300 555 503