Clearing can feel stressful, but it does not mean the student has failed. Many students use Clearing every year to find a course and university that is right for them. If a student has missed the required grades for both their Firm and Insurance choices, they may be eligible for Clearing. If they are eligible, their Clearing number should appear in their UCAS application via UCAS Hub. They should have this number, their UCAS Personal ID and their results ready before contacting universities. The student can use Clearing to look for another course with available places. Volunteer approach Sympathise with the student. They may be upset, disappointed or emotional. Reassure them that they still have options and that Clearing is a normal part of the university admissions process. Ask the student to check what UCAS Hub says and whether they have a Clearing number. Help the student identify suitable courses with available places using UCAS course search and individual university websites. Encourage the student to consider what matters to them, such as course content, location, entry requirements, accommodation, costs, support available and future career plans. Make a shortlist of realistic courses and universities, including contact numbers, course names, course codes and entry requirements. Help the student prepare for calls before they phone universities. Encourage the student to contact universities directly and ask whether they can be considered for a place. Keep clear notes of who they spoke to, what was said, any offer made, deadlines, contact details and next steps. Ask the student to get written confirmation of any offer, usually by email, before they make a final decision. Remind the student that eligible applicants can usually add a Clearing choice in UCAS from 13:00 on Results Day. The student should only add a Clearing choice once they understand the offer and are sure they want that course/university. Important Some universities may need the student to send official documents before they can be formally accepted. Some courses may require an interview, portfolio, test or additional assessment. Students should not rush into adding a Clearing choice. Encourage them to pause, compare options and speak to school staff, a parent/carer or MyBigCareer support if they are unsure.

The student has achieved grades above their expectations and has met or exceeded the conditions of their Firm choice offer. This is a positive situation, and the student may be happy to keep their confirmed place. They do not need to do anything simply because they achieved higher grades. However, some students may want to explore whether other courses or universities are available through Clearing. This might be because they have changed their mind about the course, location or university, or because their higher grades mean they want to consider options with higher entry requirements. Volunteer approach Congratulate the student. This is a considerable achievement. Ask whether they are happy with their confirmed place. If they are happy, reassure them that they do not need to change anything. If they want to explore other options, help them research carefully before making any changes in UCAS. Encourage them to compare the whole offer, not just entry requirements. They should consider course content, location, accommodation, student support, costs, travel, bursaries, placements and whether the course still fits their goals. Help them contact universities directly to ask whether they could be considered through Clearing. Encourage the student to get written confirmation of any alternative offer, usually by email. Remind the student not to use “Decline my place” unless they are certain they no longer want their confirmed place and understand the risk. If they are unsure, encourage them to speak to school staff, a parent/carer or MyBigCareer support before taking action. Important Students should not decline a confirmed place just because they achieved higher grades. Using “Decline my place” releases the student from their confirmed place and moves them into Clearing. There is no guarantee that their original university will hold the place for them if they change their mind. Before using “Decline my place”, the student should have researched alternatives carefully, contacted universities, understood any offer made, and decided that they genuinely want to pursue a different course or university. Volunteers should support students to think through the decision, but must not make the decision for them.

The student has not met the requirements for their Firm choice university, but they have met or exceeded the requirements for their Insurance choice. In this situation, UCAS Hub may show that the student has been accepted by their Insurance choice. They may be happy with this outcome, or they may want to explore other options through Clearing. Volunteer approach Acknowledge the student’s feelings. They may be disappointed about missing their Firm choice, even if they have strong results. Ask whether they are happy with their Insurance choice. If they are happy with their Insurance choice, reassure them that they do not need to do anything. If they are unsure, help them think through the pros and cons of the Insurance choice before looking elsewhere. If they want to explore other options, help them research suitable courses using UCAS course search and individual university websites. Encourage them to contact universities directly before making any changes in UCAS. Help them make clear notes of who they speak to, what is offered, deadlines and next steps. Encourage them to get written confirmation of any alternative offer, usually by email. Remind them not to use “Decline my place” unless they are certain they no longer want their confirmed place and understand the risk. If they are unsure, encourage them to speak to school staff, a parent/carer or MyBigCareer support before taking action. Important Students should not decline their Insurance place simply because they did better than expected. They should only consider using “Decline my place” if they genuinely want to pursue a different course or university and understand that they may lose their confirmed place. Volunteers should support the student to think through their options, but must not make the decision for them.

The student has failed to meet requirements for their first choice university but has significantly overachieved against those required for their insurance and doesn’t want to go to their second choice ‘insurance’ university. In this case, UCAS will assume that the student is taking up the second offer. Sometimes students have not seriously contemplated this second choice and would rather look for other options than enrol on this course. In these cases it is best to seek another course /university that they are happier with, then help the student to ‘Self Release’ themselves into Clearing using the ‘Decline my place’ button. Before choosing the ‘Decline my place’ option, discuss with the student why they don’t want to accept their second choice and what a ‘better’ choice would look like. If the student wants to look at other options, help find a place for the student at another university using clearing. Follow the steps outlined in Scenario 1. Once you have a new offer confirmed, the student is now able to leave their second choice university. To do this, the student will need to click the ‘Decline my place’ button. Once the Student has forced themselves into Clearing through Self Release, they can input their new university/course choice into UCAS website from 1pm.

If a student is unhappy with their results or thinks there may have been a mistake, encourage them to speak to their school or college immediately. The school or college will be able to explain the post-results options, deadlines and any costs. Students may be able to request: access to their marked script; a clerical re-check; a review of marking; advice about resitting; a formal appeal, if appropriate. Volunteers should not advise on whether an appeal is likely to be successful. The student’s school or college must lead this process. It is important to explain that a review of marking can result in a grade going up, staying the same, or going down. Students should make sure they understand this before requesting a review. While the student explores a review or appeal, they should also make a backup plan. This is where volunteers can help. Useful questions to ask: “Have you spoken to your school or college exams officer?” “Do you know the deadline for requesting a review?” “Is your university place dependent on this grade?” “Have you contacted the university to explain that you are considering a review of marking?” “If the review or appeal is unsuccessful, what would you like your backup plan to be?” “What option would help you feel secure while you wait?” Volunteers can support the student to think through practical next steps, but should refer all questions about the review, appeal process, deadlines or likelihood of a grade change to school or college staff.

A student has not met the conditions of either their Firm or Insurance university offer and says they now want to apply for an apprenticeship or degree apprenticeship. This may be a positive and well-considered choice, or it may be an emotional reaction to disappointment on Results Day. Volunteers should not push the student towards university or apprenticeships, but should help them slow down, understand their options and avoid making a rushed decision. Volunteer approach Acknowledge how the student is feeling. They may be disappointed, overwhelmed or questioning whether university is the right route for them. Reassure them that they still have options. Ask whether they had already been considering apprenticeships before Results Day, or whether this is a new idea. Support the student’s interest in apprenticeships without dismissing it or steering them away from it. Explain that apprenticeships are paid jobs with training, and that higher and degree apprenticeships can be very competitive. Explain that apprenticeship applications often take time and may involve CVs, application forms, online tests, interviews and assessment centres. Encourage the student to keep options open where possible. If appropriate, explain that they may still be able to explore Clearing while also researching apprenticeships. Help them look at apprenticeship vacancies, employer websites or the Find an apprenticeship service if time allows. Encourage them to speak to the school careers adviser or a trusted member of school staff. Help them leave with a practical next-step plan. Useful questions to ask “Had you already been thinking about apprenticeships before today?” “What kind of job, employer or sector are you interested in?” “Are you thinking about a degree apprenticeship, higher apprenticeship or another level?” “Have you found any live vacancies yet?” “Do you meet the entry requirements?” “When is the application deadline?” “What would your backup plan be if you do not secure an apprenticeship straight away?” “Would you like to explore Clearing as a backup option while you research apprenticeships?” Important Apprenticeships can be an excellent route, but they are not usually an instant Results Day replacement for a university place. Vacancies appear throughout the year and each employer has its own deadlines, start dates and recruitment process. If the student is unsure, encourage them to pause, gather information and speak to school staff, a parent/carer or MyBigCareer support before making a final decision. For more information on apprenticeships and degree apprenticeships, please refer to the appendix section.

A student may not want to go to university but may still be unsure what they want to do next. They may be considering work, an apprenticeship, a gap year, further study, volunteering, work experience or another route. Volunteers should support the student to explore options without pushing them towards university or any one pathway. The aim is to help them leave with a clearer sense of possible next steps and where to get further support. Volunteer approach Listen first and ask what they have already considered. Reassure them that it is normal not to have everything decided on Results Day. Ask about their interests, strengths, favourite subjects, work experience, responsibilities, hobbies and any career ideas they have. Help them identify a few possible pathways, such as: apprenticeships or degree apprenticeships; employment; college or further study; work experience; volunteering; a structured gap year; resits or improving qualifications; careers support from school/college or MyBigCareer. Encourage them to think practically about what they need next: information, experience, applications, a CV, advice, confidence or time. If appropriate, help them research employers, job areas, apprenticeships or courses linked to their interests. Encourage them to speak to the school careers adviser or another trusted member of school staff. Help them leave with a short action plan. Useful questions to ask “What have you thought about so far?” “Are there any subjects, jobs or industries you are interested in?” “What kind of work or environment do you think you would enjoy?” “Would you prefer to earn while learning, study more, work full-time, or take time to explore?” “Have you done any work experience, volunteering or part-time work?” “Do you already have a CV?” “Who could help you after today — school careers staff, family, MyBigCareer or another support service?” “What is one practical step you could take this week?” Possible action plan examples Research three apprenticeship vacancies. Update or create a CV. Speak to the school careers adviser. Look at local college or further study options. Research employers in a sector they are interested in. Arrange a MyBigCareer follow-up conversation, if available. Make a list of people they can speak to for advice. Apply for one suitable opportunity by a specific date. Important Volunteers should not make decisions for the student or pressure them towards a route. If the student is very unsure, the most helpful outcome may be a simple plan for getting further advice rather than trying to decide everything on Results Day.