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A-Level results day guide

The run up to A-Level Results Day can feel pretty daunting. This is only natural, after all you've put lots of work in to get to this point! But try not to worry, as even if you don't quite get the grades you need, there are often lots of options available to you.

We've put together this guide to help get you through results day as stress-free as possible, so that you can spend slightly less time worrying and more time getting ready for the excitement September has in store.

Unfiltered Clearing - What to Expect

Welcome to Leads Becket Unfiltered, the podcast where we talk honestly about life at LBU.

I'm Shalia. And I'm Maty. And today we're talking all about clearing.

How did you feel, would you say, when you like went through clearing?

I was so scared. You know, my mom pushed me towards it and because I left the apprenticeship in July and obviously the only um way that I could get through was clearing. So my mom was very supportive of that. I was, I was terrified because I'm quite a social person. I can speak to people face to face, but as soon as I've got to ring somebody, I'm like, I can't do it. I remember um I plucked up the courage. I was sat on my bedroom floor like shaking a bit. I had um my A levels like certificates in front of me. So then I plucked up the courage to call and when I first called I actually 'cause you got like two different pieces of paper. I had like the wrong one. Um but like the people on the phone were so sweet. They were like, "It's fine. Um if you just find the correct papers and ring us back." And I was like, I've messed it up. I've like messed it up. I've wronged them. They're going to think that I'm not serious. They've probably like they've got my name now. They've got my number.

They're thinking blacklist.

Yeah, this girl is not serious. But if you mess up, it's completely fine.

Yeah, it it's good.

Then I got the right piece of the paper. I rang up. Once again, they were really sweet. It was really easy, you know. It was a lot easier than I thought.

So then I called Beckett and they were actually so nice to me and they put me through to my professor, um, the best professor in my opinion. Like everybody loves him. Such a he's just such a great person. Honestly.

I love my lecturers too.

I love the staff at Beckett are just so great. And like this is just just me talking as Maty, but they're generally so great. Like I had, I kid you not, like I had a list of questions about the course and we went there and he answered it one by one and it wasn't given like sales pitch like we're trying to get you into uni. It was so human.

Genuine.

Like honestly it was, I loved it. It was honestly amazing. Honestly, the main reason I came to Beckett was the staff because I'm like, if that's what you're going to be like for someone you don't even know mid holiday, like everyone was off at that time. The lecturers weren't in uni. So, I quite I quite like that. That's one of the main reasons why I came to Beckett.

I got off the phone and then about 10 minutes later, I had an email, welcome to Beckett. I was like, literally, what already? Like, I only had to call. I've been been putting the soft for like a week. The quicker that you do it, then it's over. It's only one phone call. Like you don't have to ring back or anything like that. You don't have to call back every few days to like check in. You call and they do literally like you said everything. They send you an email within 10 minutes. They'll send you like links to apps and stuff. They'll they'll get you connected. Mhm. One phone call guys and you're life is changed.

[Music]

One of my biggest fears when I went through clearing was accommodation because I'm like everything's going to be booked up. We're in mid August right now. What's going to be left? But with Beckett, they actually have accommodations for first years and first years get priority, which is amazing because once you're in August, like that like accommodation sometimes isn't the thing you think about. You're like, "Okay, let me just get into uni and I can sort out accommodations later." But yeah, like they were really helpful. They gave us like a special like email like in a phone number that we could talk to people about like accommodation and get accommodation and stuff like that. So that was amazing.

It's like having a personal advisor or something.

Exactly.

It was so good.

Obviously, you live at home, so like what's that experience for you?

You know what? It's really good. I know that people probably think like because you live at home like you're not going to make as many friends 'cause of course like people are in accommodation and everybody becomes like best friends. Um but it actually hasn't affected any of my friendships or anything. It hasn't affected like my attendance or anything. I'm still very much on time. Like it doesn't even feel like I live at home in a sense 'cause like I like to say like my friends are come to.

Exactly.

I feel like there's just a little bit like a bit of a stigma when it comes to living at home at uni because people think you're just like missing out on the whole uni experience when it doesn't have to be that way.

Yeah. I can tell you I haven't missed out on anything. I've had like the full uni experience.

That's good. That's good.

I use the app and it lets you like it connects you to people with like different categories. So like if you go to like a specific accommodation or like you do this course or you're into this like it puts you in the group chat automatically and I've actually met like most of my friends on there like whether it was through like we like near the same accommodation or we're in the same societies.

[Music]

There's so many things to do like it doesn't always have to be like going out into these clubbings and like you know stuff like that. And I think people they're kind of scared because they're like, "Well, what else am I going to do?" Like, "Come to Leeds. I'll show you what else you can do. There's so many things to do."

People like only promote the party and like partying is like a big thing. Like people come to Leeds like because it's got a good night life. But it's also got like a really good day life.

It really does. It really does.

[Music]

Do you know what? I actually forget that I've come through clearing. Like it's not it's not like a thing. It's like it's like you go through clearing and that's it. like you don't really speak about it again like personally.

It seems scarier than it actually is with clearing. I think it's more like a mental battle with yourself with like thinking what are people going to think like oh my god.

Nobody knows.

Exactly like I gone through clearing like that's so embarrassing like you know just who cares.

Yeah. Like so many people come through clearing like like more people than you think go through clearing and all types of and look at what we're doing. We're all studying the same thing. We're all the same level. So why does it matter if you came in through clearing or if you came in through other means? It doesn't matter.

And that is a wrap. Thank you very much for listening to our clearing podcast. I'm pretty sure me and I really enjoyed it.

I really enjoyed it, too. Thank you for listening, guys.

Thank you so much for listening uh to Leeds Beckett Unfiltered. And if you're thinking about clearing, check out the Leeds Beckett website. You'll get all the information. You can get your clearing pass on there. And I hope to see you in September on campus.

So see you next time.

Bye guys.

[Music]

How to prepare for A LEVEL RESULTS DAY

Nervous about A-Level Results Day? Whether you're feeling confident or uncertain, being prepared can make all the difference. Preparation is key. Here’s how to make sure you’re ready: 

  • Know your UCAS login details – You’ll need them to check your status. 
  • Have a plan B (and C!) – Research universities and courses available in Clearing. 
  • Charge your phone – You’ll be making important calls, so don’t run out of battery. 
  • Keep key details handy – Your UCAS ID, personal statement, and any notes on courses you’re interested in will help you move quickly. 
  • Stay calm and positive – If you find yourself in Clearing, remember, it’s an opportunity, not a setback.

It's worth making notes on the different universities / courses you like, including things like facilities and entry requirements, as you may end up looking at lots of information and it can be easy to get mixed up.

essential information for Clearing on results day

On results day there's some key information you'll want to know before you make your application. Hopefully you've done some prep and you're ready to go, here's some additional information for you to reference on the day.

If your results are what you expected – great! If not, don’t panic. Here’s what to do: 

Check UCAS Hub – Find out if your firm or insurance choice has accepted you. 

Consider your options – If you’re in Clearing, start researching courses that interest you. 

Call universities – Speak directly to admissions teams to discuss your options. 

Make your decision quickly – Clearing moves fast. Be ready to act. 

A.

Grade boundaries determine the marks needed for each grade and vary by exam board. They are usually released on Results Day, so if you’re close to a higher grade, check the official websites (AQA, Edexcel, OCR) for details. 

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Most students collect their results in person from their school or college. If you can’t make it, check if they can be emailed or posted to you. Some schools allow a nominated person to collect them on your behalf – just make sure they have written permission.
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If you’ll be away, plan ahead. Make sure you have internet access to check UCAS Hub and contact universities. If needed, give someone you trust permission to collect your results and discuss options on your behalf.
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UCAS Hub typically updates from 8:00am on Results Day. Be ready to log in early to check your status and take action if needed.

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Don’t panic, there are still plenty of options. You can explore Clearing to find alternative courses, consider appealing your grades, or even look at resit opportunities. Speak to your teachers or a careers adviser for guidance, and check UCAS and university websites for next steps.

  1. Know how to get in touch

    If you're ready for Clearing you'll likely have a list of the universities and contact numbers you need to hand. But phonelines can be busy on the day, and for some of us we prefer taking the online route. There a few different ways you'll be able to get hold of us on the day:

    • You can call us and discuss your options with one of our team, the number you need is 0113 812 3113
    • Our team are also available on live chat to speak to you about the courses on offer and help you with your application
    • Our chatbot Becky is available 24/7 to walk you through the process and make you provisional offer

  2. Make sure you're aware of key times

    Clearing is part of the UCAS university application process. On Results Day, UCAS Hub opens at 08:00. Whilst you won't be able to see your grades on UCAS Hub, you will be able to see if your application status has been updated. Some people prefer to get their grades then look at UCAS Hub, and others prefer to do it the other way round, so do whatever feels best for you. 

    Clearing applications can be made from 13:00. However, you don't have to wait until this time to contact universities. It's important not to rush into any decisions, but the earlier you can contact the universities you're interested in, the better. 

  3. Don't be afraid to use the support avialable

    You will have lots of support available to you. You'll have your teachers and advisors from school / college on hand, as well as your parents, friends, and lots of friendly university staff ready to answer any questions you have. Don't be afraid to use these support networks, and to ask any questions you may have when speaking to universities. Remember, if it's important to you, then there are no silly questions. 

why clearing could be your best move

 Clearing isn’t just for last-minute decisions; it’s a powerful way to find the right university for you. Leeds Beckett University offers incredible courses, expert teaching, and a vibrant student community. 

If you do decide to give us a call on the day, here's some extra tips for you to get the most out of your conversation. If you choose to use our live chat, these tips can still be helpful to keep in mind.

  1. Write down your essential information beforehand

    This will help you during your conversation. This should include having your UCAS ID and Clearing ID, if released, to hand, as well as your qualifications and grades .Make sure you also have your GCSE results ready. You should also make notes on the course you want to study – what has attracted you to it? Are there any details about the course you’d like to know? Now is the time to ask any questions you might have.

  2. Stay online if possible

    You'll need to be able to sign into your UCAS Hub account once you've made your decision. It's also handy to be able to check any further details of courses or universities that you’re interested before making your final decision.

  3. Take a deep breath

    Remember, the person on the end of the line wants to help. They will be speaking to hundreds of people in your position. They know you're nervous, and they'll do everything they can to try to put you at ease. Be prepared though, the lines may be busy. You may have to wait a few minutes before being connected to a telephone operator.

  4. Making the call

    However much you might want a parent or teacher to pick up the phone and do it on your behalf, this is something you need to do yourself. Due to Data Protection regulations, we cannot take phone calls from them without your expressed verbal consent. At the same time, however, it is good to remember that you'll be the one studying at university for the next three years or more, so it has to be your decision.

  5. Make notes during your phone call

    If you're ringing around a lot of universities, it can be easy to get confused. Make sure you know exactly what you've been offered from each university, and the details of their courses. Record any essential contacts, email addresses and telephone numbers which you may need for future reference.

Looking after your wellbeing during Clearing

Whilst you'll probably be preoccupied with everything that's going on, it's important to look after yourself. Results day can be an emotional day, so if you do end up getting overwhelmed, here are 5 tips on looking after your mental and physical wellbeing during Clearing.

  1. Start the day right

    It might not sound important in the grand scheme of things, but taking time to have a healthy and hearty breakfast really is worth it. Getting your results can be intense, so make sure you're properly fuelled, and you'll be in a better position to make the most of the day. 

  2. Sharing isn't always caring

    Whilst it is a good idea to pick up your results with friends or family, don't feel that you have to open your results in the company of others. They're your results, and if you want to open them on your own, that's okay.

    It might also be a good idea to avoid social media for a little bit, as lots of people like to share their results online. This can be disheartening if you see people with higher grades, but try and remember to judge your success against your own standards. It's more accurate than competing with others anyway!

  3. Keep active

    If you need a stress-buster on results day, something as simple as taking a walk could do the trick. Exercise is a great way to counteract stress, and if you're nervous or need to make a decision, sometimes stepping away from it for a moment can make it easier... 

  4. Write a list

    ...or sometimes, the opposite is true. If you're entering Clearing, but are unsure which universities you want to speak to, writing a pros and cons list can be a massive help. Keep in mind things like location and what the student life is like, as well as information about the course. 

  5. Keep things in perspective

    Finally, try to keep things in perspective. Results day can feel like a huge deal, and whilst your grades are important, they don't define you. 

    No matter what your grades are, there will be an option for you, even if it's not one you'd thought of before. So take a deep breath and research all your options, as who knows what the future has in store!

hear from our students

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  1. What happens next?

    Once you've accepted your place on UCAS Hub, then it's time to start preparing for university! For an in-depth look at what we recommend doing before coming to Leeds Beckett in September, take a look at our prepare for uni website, or scroll through this list for a quick overview of the immediate essentials

  2. Accommodation

    If you plan on living in halls, contact our Accommodation Office on 0113 812 5972 to see what accommodation we have available

  3. Student finance

    Contact Student Finance – if you have already applied for Student Finance you will need to let them know that you are changing your university choice as soon as possible, otherwise there may be a delay in getting your maintenance loan

  4. Join our Unibuddy Community group

    Use our Unibuddy Community group to connect with course mates, find people in your halls of residence and make friends, as well as hearing from current students about life at LBU. Once you have accepted your offer to study with us, you will receive an invite to this group.

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Contact us

If you have any questions about your offer or studying at Leeds Beckett, there’s lots of ways to get in touch. You can call or email our Admissions team or chat to one of our amazing Student Ambassadors.

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