1. 2013 UCAS Results, Clearing & Adjustment Frequently Asked Questions

2. Results and Offers FAQ’s

3. UCAS Results What happens on Results Day? Results Day – Thursday 15 th August 2013 Collect results at School from 9am Students should check UCAS TRACK for confirmation of their place early in the morning Don’t forget you need your Password and Personal ID Number Where offers are not confirmed you will see on Track that you are in Clearing Students who are in Clearing should come to school from 8am to seek advice.

4. UCAS Results What next?  No need to contact the University if you have met the offer for your Conditional Firm (CF) or Conditional Insurance (CI)  CF or CI will show on Track as UF (unconditional firm)  If you have met the offer but Track doesn’t show UF contact the University to ask what’s happening  When the University confirms your place UCAS will send you a confirmation letter AS12 within 3 days

5. Results and Offers I met the grades, but the status of my CF or CI choice hasn’t yet changed on Track?  There is sometimes a delay at such a busy time. If you have met your offer, your place will be confirmed as soon as possible and shown on Track.  Wait until lunch time, then, if you are still concerned, ring the University to find out the reason for the delay  If you can’t contact the University and you are very concerned about the delay check with UCAS  If you have lodged an appeal against a result let the University know and confirm that they will honour your place pending the outcome.

6. Results and Offers I didn’t meet the CF offer but my university has not yet declined my place and Track hasn’t changed?  Contact the University  You may have to wait on hold for a later decision. Ask how long you are expected to wait for a decision  Sometimes they will take you anyway even if you didn’t meet the conditions  Sometimes they will offer you an alternative course.

7. Results and Offers I see on Track that my CF offer now says “Changed Course”. What does this mean?  This means the university are unable to offer you a place on the original course you applied to but they are willing to offer an alternative course. You will be given 5 days to decide  Consider this offer very carefully you are not obliged to accept it.  Your Insurance place is protected for 5 days only until you accept or decline the changed offer  If you do not wish to accept ring and ask them to decline the offer as soon as possible as this can delay the opportunity to look at other options

8. Results and Offers I don’t want to go to my insurance choice. Can I apply elsewhere?  You are committed to your CI in just the same way as your CF if you meet the CI requirements your place will automatically be confirmed  You can approach the university and ask to be released into Clearing  These situations can usually be sorted out - seek advice from a senior member of staff before taking any action

9. Clearing FAQs

10. Clearing Clearing is a process of University application used by applicants who have not managed to secure a place at University in the current academic year  You are eligible for clearing if:  You hold no offers  You have declined all your offers  You did not meet the conditions of your CF and CI offers  You have been made an alternative offer but don’t wish to accept it  You applied after 30 th June closing date for UCAS applications

11. Clearing Why are places available through clearing?  Course vacancies which have not been filled  Shortage of applicants in a particular subject  Additional places may have been added at a later stage in the applications process  New courses  Places which become available after the A2 results are published

12. Clearing How do I find out what courses are in Clearing?  Clearing vacancies are published from results day until late September www.UCAS.comwww.UCAS.com  Also look at individual university websites  If you have a good idea you are likely to need Clearing – research now !  Quick response required - popular course vacancies are usually filled at the start of the process so be prepared to act quickly

13. Clearing Do universities and colleges reduce their requirements in Clearing?  NO ! A very popular myth – it used to be so in the past but is rarely the case now - most will advertise vacancies with previously published grades  BUT – definitely worth a contact as sometimes the admissions tutor will consider a near miss if you can demonstrate a genuine interest

14. Clearing What do I need to do before submitting an application for Clearing?  You can only apply for one course at a time.  Use the Clearing web link to research course options and draw up a shortlist of those you are interested in.  Make telephone enquiries with the admissions tutors to see if they are interested in your application  Use the form provided by school to ensure you have all the information required by admissions tutors; always get the details of the person you have spoken to and note the time and date and their responses  Don’t submit a choice until you are sure, as once a Clearing choice is submitted getting release involves a formal administrative process and can take several days. You are unable to apply elsewhere until you are released

15. Clearing What happens if I enter a Clearing choice and my application is declined ?  Don’t accept a place unless you are very sure you want it  Once accepted you have entered into a contractual arrangement  To avoid this situation always speak to the admissions tutor before you actually apply for a clearing choice  The ‘Add Clearing Choice’ button will become available again and you can apply to another choice.  The process continues until you are fixed up with a place

16. Clearing How do I apply through Clearing? 1. Applicant contacts HEI to discuss vacancies 2. Applicant enters choice details on Track 4. HEI will make a decision 3. If unsuccessful applicant can start again

17. Clearing Can I apply to a different subject area through Clearing ?  Yes – BUT the admissions tutor can see your electronic UCAS application. If you change subject be prepared to answer questions about your interest and reasons for the change  Prepare your detailed answers before you ring the admissions tutor Can I apply for a Clearing place at a university I originally declined?  Yes - this is often a good idea because you have given careful consideration to your choice and therefore it is easier to demonstrate your interest

18. Clearing Can I apply through Clearing for a start date deferred to 2014?  Yes - if the University agrees; you must make your intentions clear. If you accept a deferred place you can’t add further choices Is going on holiday during Clearing a problem?  Try to avoid this situation. You really need to be available in person.  Even though you can see the Clearing vacancies on the internet it is very difficult to communicate with Universities at this very busy time  You need to talk to admissions tutors; they may ask to interview you and you need to be available at very short notice.  Admissions tutors will only deal directly with the applicant and can’t deal with other representatives.

19. Adjustment FAQs

20. Adjustment What is Adjustment? Adjustment allows students who have exceeded the conditions of their firm offer (UF) to trade up to a place that requires higher grades.  If you have exceeded your UF (Unconditional Firm) offer, Adjustment allows you to look for an alternative course whilst your confirmed place is protected  You can’t use adjustment if you are holding a CI offer (insurance choice)  Adjustment is entirely optional – most students prefer to stick with their considered firm choice  Your firm choice course is protected for 5 days whilst you look at other options  Your accommodation is NOT automatically protected – check first  No guarantee of suitable vacancies it entirely depends on Universities being willing to offer you a place. Highly competitive courses may be full.  Medicine/ Dentistry / Vet/ Oxbridge do not participate

21. Adjustment Offer Actual Grades Achieved A Level AABA Level AAA A Level CCD (C in Chemistry)A Level ACD (A in Chemistry) A Level ABB (B in History)A Level ABB (A in History) Offer Actual Grades Achieved A Level CCD (C in Chemistry)A Level BCD (D Chemistry) 240 Tariff points overall including C in French 280 Tariff points overall including D in French A Level BBCA Level BBCC (offer 3 subjects only)

22. Adjustment What is Adjustment ? - continued  A 5 day adjustment window – five 24 hour periods including Sat & Sun  The Adjustment period starts from 16 th August 2013 until 31 st August 2013 including Sat/Sun/bank hols  Your Track screen will display the option to access Adjustment  Your individual adjustment period is determined by UCAS and starts automatically from when your CF changes to UF  Once you have registered – the Track screen will display the date and time your Adjustment period will finish  You may contact more than one University to make enquiries but you can only make one formal application through adjustment.  If your application is not successful – go back to your original UF choice

23. Adjustment Before you register for Adjustment please consider the following points  What do you know about the University – have you visited?  Are you aware of the course details/structure/modules/assessment / graduate employability ?  Have you considered all the implications of your decision e.g. location, availability of accommodation, distance from home, convenient travel, opportunity for part time jobs etc.  Quick decisions without proper consideration can be a high risk strategy  Once the Adjustment decision is confirmed you will lose your CF place  If you don’t find a place within the 5 day period you will revert to your protected UF offer

24. Adjustment How do I register to use Adjustment? 1.Click on ‘choices’ in Track to register for Adjustment 2.Contact HEI’s to enquire about suitable adjustment vacancies 3.The HEI’s will first check that you have exceeded the conditions of your UF offer and you are eligible for Adjustment. 4.HEI’s will tell you if they can make you an offer and if so will ask you to confirm that you want to accept it. They may require immediate acceptance. If they are agreeable, ask if it is possible to have a short time to consider their offer and ring them back. 5.Once you are accepted through Adjustment your original place is declined (UD) and the new choice is added by the HEI – you will be sent a confirmation letter. Caution! If you accept a place the Adjustment university will automatically decline your UF offer and add the new offer

25. And finally.. UCAS TRACK is changing – new version available from end of June. Familiarise with the new design BEFORE results day ! On results day Check the status of your offer on UCAS Track before you come into school. Come to school at 8am if you need advice or 9am to collect your results Staff will be available at School throughout the Clearing period If you need any help or advice please ask Clearing and Adjustment applicants are strongly advised to seek advice before taking action Good luck in your forthcoming exams We look forward to celebrating your success on Results Day!