Five Simple Ways to Succeed: Clearing 2011

Since applying through UCAS, you've been looking forward to going to university and have spent months planning where you're going to live, what you're going to pack and meeting your soon-to-be course mates on Facebook and Whatuni.com

Then you're a-level results arrive and you're shocked to find that you haven't achieved the grades you need to match the necessary UCAS tariff for your chosen university or college.

It might seem that all of your plans have been crushed in an instant and you may feel upset, disappointed, angry and lost. Luckily, as Louise Scodie of City University London explains, you still have options and many vacancies to choose from, thanks to the UCAS Clearing system.

What is UCAS Clearing?

In short, the UCAS Clearing system provides a way for universities to offer places on courses that still have vacancies, to students who are unable to go to their first-choice university. And that's a sizeable number of students - according to UCAS, around 35,000 people every year go through Clearing. That's a reassuring figure to anyone who feels that they're the only person involved in Clearing 2011!

Richard Broom, undergraduate Admissions Officer at City University London, says that students with all kinds of results - even very good ones - pass through Clearing. As he explains: 'Although it can be very disappointing not to get the course you initially wanted, going into Clearing doesn't mean that you're a bad student and many applicants may only have marginally missed on their offer."

Competition for places these days is fierce, with prospective students from all over the globe wanting to study in the UK. This contributes to an increased chance of ending up in Clearing, so it's important to understand that Clearing certainly does not mean failure.

Clearing takes place this year on 19th August. It's vital that you make your calls to universities on the day - it's precisely because of the competition for vacancies from other aspiring freshers that you don't want to leave it too late.

The trick is to think practically and positively and to have a plan ready just in case you become one of the Clearing massive this year. Maximise your chances of finding a place on a Clearing course you'll love at a great university by following these five easy success.

Prime yourself for action

Your UCAS track account is the first port of call - you'll find out here whether you've been placed or not. If you haven't, give yourself a little time to absorb the news. It's fine to be shocked and upset but you'll need to work it out of your system before you make decisions about what to do next. Take a little break for a cup of tea and talk it through with friends or family if you need to. Once you're feeling calmer, think about what course you'd like to apply for, and where in the country you'd like to study. It's helpful to make notes to consolidate your thinking, and remember to be true to what you really need rather than jumping in with both feet just so you can go to university.

There is no point, for example, accepting a place at a small campus university if you've got your heart set on big city living, or going to a university far away from home if you know you want to stay within a reasonable distance from your friends and family.

On course for success

You may need to think strategically about the courses that you're going to go for. For example, if you were originally going to study geography at your first choice university, but you didn't make the grade, you may want to call up and ask the admissions tutor to accept you onto the course anyway (in which case, be prepared to present a strong argument in your favour).

If this isn't possible, then broadly speaking your options are either to find a geography course at another university, or to find an alternative course which is still connected with the subject, either at your first choice university or at another institution that appeals. Such courses may include geology, environmental studies or conservation studies; think laterally and you're sure to find "cousin-courses" of interest.

Make a list of your requirements and what courses you'd be happy to enrol on and then head back to the UCAS website, where you'll see each institution's vacancies as well as course information and links to university websites. Make a list of who you're going to call and approach your ring-round systematically.

Get into the right frame of mind

It might not seem like it when you first receive your results, but being placed in Clearing 2011 could be the best thing to happen to you. Laraba Gerba-Anetekhai found a place on the mental health nursing course at City University London through Clearing.

As she says: 'I originally wanted to study radiography and was gutted when I didn't get a place. Mental health nursing was my second choice but I enjoy it so much I think now it was the better choice.' Adopt a practical and positive outlook from the outset and finding a new and possibly improved university place will be much easier. Although Clearing might seem like a raw deal at first, it's anything but - turn things around and view it as a chance to find a different and exciting range of opportunities for you.

You can reassess your options in the light of changing circumstances with your results in your hand - for example, you might know that you have the right grades to join your friends at a certain university, and use the opportunity that Clearing gives you to make this happen.

Do it yourself

If you've been entered into Clearing 2011, it's you and you alone who has to do the work. Do not under any circumstances get your parents or friends to call up institutions for you. As City's Richard Broom explains, 'We want to talk to you and may ask questions about your examinations, motivation and experience that only you can answer.'

What's more, it doesn't demonstrate much commitment to the cause if you can't be bothered to make the call yourself. For this reason UCAS strongly advises everybody waiting for their results to stay in the country for Clearing day - imagine how difficult it would be to sort out your options and contact universities if you were abroad.

When you do call up, you'll need to be prepared; have a pen and notepad by your side as you'll need to make notes when you're speaking with admissions tutors. Be equipped with answers for when you're asked why you want to apply for certain courses but don't be nervous about speaking to people.

Generally, those who work on Clearing desks are trained, sympathetic and helpful and just want to find committed and enthusiastic students who are going to get the best out of their courses.

You may even be asked to attend an interview in person as Laraba was; she says: 'I was asked to go in the next day for an interview, where they asked me why I was interested in doing the course and about my qualifications.'

Take time to ask tutors questions too; find out as much as you can about the course and the university so that you know what you're potentially signing up to for the next three or four years of your life.

Remember the Clearing mantra

Be calm, be flexible, be realistic and be available! If you follow those rules, you should secure yourself a place on a course that's right for you at a university you'll enjoy attending.

Make sure though that you're entirely happy with your place before you tie up any loose ends. If somebody asks for your Clearing Passport, he or she wants to confirm your place. You should only complete this and send it off if you're entirely sure that you want to attend. Your offer only becomes official when the university receives your Clearing Passport and tells UCAS about your place.

If you're offered a place but are not convinced that the course is for you, say thanks but no thanks in a polite manner and carry on ringing round until you do find something you like. Clearing is a chance for you to find the right course; nobody wants you to accept something that you're not happy about.

If you are sure that you've been offered a place you want to take up, then send the original of your Clearing Passport (not a fax or photocopy) to your new university or even better take it there in person. This will give you an opportunity to have a look around, sort out accommodation and generally get to know your new home.