Is the thought of Results Day keeping you up at night?

We know you might be feeling anxious about getting your results, so this step-by-step guide looks at what you need to do  - whatever the outcome of your exams - so that Results Day becomes a day of new opportunities.

Contents:

1. Results Day 2024

2. How can I prepare for Results Day?

3. What if I don't get the results I need?

4. What happens if I go through Clearing?

5. How many Clearing choices can I add?

6. Can I change my Clearing choice?

7. I've got the results I need! What happens next?

Results Day 2024

A Level results in England will be published on Thursday 15 August 2024. You'll be able to check the status of your university offers by signing in to your UCAS Hub. It's here that you'll be able to see if your firm and insurance universities have accepted you, or if you need to apply through Clearing.  

You can collect your actual grades from your school or college - they'll advise you on the time you can pick up your results.

How can I prepare for Results Day?

Results Day can be overwhelming, so a little forward planning will go a long way.

If you've decided to wait until you have your results before applying to university for the first time, make sure you've done your research and you're clear on the universities you want to contact through Clearing.

This is vital, too, if you don't get the required grades for your offer and you find yourself in Clearing.

Your research should include the entrance requirements of the courses you're interested in as well as Clearing hotline numbers - you'll find these on university websites in the run-up to Clearing.

On Results Day, make sure you have all the information you need to hand - including your UCAS number - plus items such as a fully-charged mobile phone, notepad and pen, and your notes.

Hopefully, the only thing you'll need will be your phone to tell family and friends about your success, but it's best to be prepared.

What if I don't get the results I need?

First of all, don't panic - it's not the end of the world. Not getting the grades you wanted for your firm or insurance choice university is no indicator of what great achievements lie ahead for you. 

After you've read your results, take a deep breath and give yourself a moment to process the news.

At this stage, there are a number of options available to you:

• if you've missed your required grades by just a few marks, it might be worth getting in touch with your university choices to see if they will still accept you.
• if you think there's been a mistake with your grades, you can appeal your results - you'll need to talk to your school about this and your teachers will advise you.
• you can go through the Clearing process
• you can re-sit your A Levels and reapply to university, or take a break from studying with a gap year to give yourself time to decide what you want to do next.

What happens if I go through Clearing?

If you go through Clearing, this is when your preparations can really pay off.

Although Clearing opens on 5 July and runs until 21 October 2024, it really gets into full swing in England once A Level results have been published.

You can only enter Clearing once you have your exam results, and if you meet the eligibility criteria - read our blog Clearing explained to find out more.

You'll know you're in Clearing because your UCAS application will read 'You are in Clearing' and you will get a unique Clearing ID number. 

Things can move quickly in Clearing so you need to reach out to universities as soon as you have your results to find the best match for you before spaces start to fill up.

Contact universities via their dedicated Clearing hotlines or over live chat. If your grades match their entry requirements you could receive a verbal offer over the phone. If you do, this will be followed by an email detailing the next steps you need to take.

For more advice on making a Clearing phone call, read our blog - there are tips on what to do on Results Day, what to expect, and what to say when you contact universities, 

How many Clearing choices can I add?

During Clearing you can contact as many universities as you like – and you may receive offers over the phone from several – but you can only add one Clearing choice at a time to your application.

If you receive a verbal offer from a university, this will be followed by an email confirmation detailing both your next steps and the time you have available to enter your choice into your application before the offer expires.

Adding this offer as your Clearing choice counts as you accepting the offer, and once the university formally confirms your place, you’ll see your application update.

Can I change my Clearing choice?

Trying to secure your dream place at university through Clearing can feel stressful, but it's important you choose a degree you’re passionate about and a university you want to study at.

If you can, make the right choice the first time around, but if you change your mind, don't panic.

Contact the university whose offer you’ve accepted, explain the situation and ask them to cancel your place. 

Then, once you’re released back into Clearing, start the whole process again and add your new Clearing choice to your account. You may have to wait for your application to update before you can do this, but be patient.

I've got the results I need! What happens next?

Congratulations! It's been a long road to university, paved with lots of hard work and stress.

In the next few days, you will receive confirmation of your university place, outlining what you need to do so you can start planning your move to uni.  

If, for whatever reason, you haven't applied for your student finance, you'll also need to do this - so, read our blog on applying for your finance late. But for now, it's time to celebrate and recharge - you've done it!