Published: Thursday, 14th August, 2008 09:00
Anxious students get A Level results
By Annabel Williams
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THE waiting is over today for students across Reading as they join tens of thousands across the country to get their A-Level results.
Many were due to learn whether they were accepted on their chosen university course online at midnight, but other waited until this morning to discover their grades at their schools or sixth form colleges.
For those who miss out on their chosen universities, the clearing system matches them with course vacancies across the country.
Thames Valley University, which has campuses in King’s Road and Crescent Road in Reading, has plenty of practical help and advice for clearing students, with admissions manager Christine Marchant offering top tips for
navigating the system: She said: “Don’t panic if your grades aren’t what you expected and your university application is rejected.
“There are still ways to get onto other course vacancies. Research the UCAS and individual university websites to find out about courses and
subject profiles.
“Be prepared with relevant information like your clearing entry number, details of your qualifications and portfolio, if relevant, when contacting a university’s clearing hotline.
“Your entry number is on your clearing entry passport from UCAS or displayed when you log in to the Track section of the UCAS website.
“Be prepared to be called for interview at short notice and arm yourself with any information sheets sent by the university to ensure interviews go smoothly.
“Keep an open mind about different course options, including foundation degrees and vocational qualifications, but do not feel pressured into accepting the first offer you get as there is still time, and there may be better offers out there.
“To find out more about clearing, watch The Clearing Show at www.tvu.ac.uk/theclearingshow, buy listings in national newspapers and any other sources out there that might help you understand clearing better.”
She added: “If you feel unsure about your choice of university, do not go ahead with the application as you don’t want to regret having chosen a course that you are not passionate about in the end.
“Students can always opt to take a year out to travel or even get some work experience before going back into university as a mature student.
“Many universities, including TVU, now have a February intake so students need not necessarily start in September.
“Studying at a university is a huge step and prospective students should feel assured that they have many flexible options.”
Lynn Grimes, TVU’s student recruitment director, says choosing a place should be done with care after a Facebook poll revealed students are mostly concerned about a university’s graduate employment prospects, ahead of its location, social scene and fees.
She said: “This reflects the changing outlook for graduates as they go through higher education.
“The current economic climate is making students uncertain about the future. Students have many options when they go through clearing and shouldn’t rush into accepting an offer without careful consideration of what they are committing to for the next few years.”
According to official statistics released last month, TVU has the best record for graduate employment against its benchmark of all the non-specialist universities in the country.
The charity has almost 17,000 volunteers who provide 24-hour confidential support to anyone in emotional distress, including those worried about the outcome of exams this summer, whether students or parents.
Spokeswoman Kate Redway said: “We need to stop reinforcing the message that exam grades are the single most important fact in determining a young person’s future.
“They’re not. Young people need to be reassured they are valued and that there are many different options open to them.
“Samaritans is always available round-the-clock for anyone who wants to share how they are feeling.”
The Samaritans is braced for an estimated 11% rise in calls over the results period.
Visit www.samaritans.org, call them on 08457 90 90 90, email jo@samaritans.org or write to Chris, PO Box 9090, Stirling, FK8 2SA.
TVU’s clearing hotline is 0800 036 8888 or see www.tvu.ac.uk
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