Leeds Beckett University - City Campus,
Woodhouse Lane,
LS1 3HE
Clearing advice straight from the students’ mouths
Here at Leeds Beckett University, we want to make what can be a difficult time as easy as possible, and have gathered some advice from current and recently graduated students who have been there and done that.
The students who range from 1st year undergraduates to Masters and PhD students have all passed on one valuable piece of advice that they want others who are facing Clearing to know. Something they all agree on is that it’s never as bad as you think.
- Adam Wright from Warrington – 3rd Year BA (Hons) Photographic Journalism – “Be brave and go for it because it’ll probably be the best decision you ever make that will change your future for the better.”
- Charlotte Howarth from Harrogate – Final Year BSc (Hons) Computing – “Don’t give up. Just because you didn’t get the grades you were expecting doesn’t mean that you’re not smart of that you’re not good enough. If you know your stuff, you’ll go far.”
- Daisy Weston from Northwich – Final Year BA (Hons) Childhood Studies – “Go for Clearing, because no matter what your results you may get a place. I am so happy my friend told me to apply through it. I would advise anyone to make sure that they have money saved for a deposit for accommodation just in case they get a place quicker than they thought.”
- Danial Ikhwan-Mccabe from Middlesbrough – 1st Year BSc (Hons) Sport and Exercise Science – “Don’t panic and don’t assume you’ve failed and you have no chance of going to university. Keep calm and take the time to find the right place and course for you. Avoid the big negative feelings taking over.”
- Dominiq Oti from London – Final Year BA (Hons) Architecture – “Don’t be discouraged, despite what grades you get and try to understand that there’s a university that is better for you and could provide you with an even more valuable experience than you could have imagined.”
- Fatima Nazir from Leeds – Final Year LLB (Hons) Law – “Do your research and find out about the university you intend to go to. Always have back-up plans in case something doesn’t go as planned.”
- Fatima Umar from Pudsey – 1st Year BSc (Hons) Biomedical Sciences – “Keep trying. You may be surprised at the variety available in Clearing, even some courses you might think would be full.”
- Grace Smallman from Darlington – Final Year BA (Hons) Childhood Studies – “Just believe in yourself and apply. Even if you think you’re not good enough, and it appears that way, still apply. Believe in yourself and don’t feel intimidated by the unknown.”
- Joseph Royle from Bradford – 3rd Year MEng Computer Science – “Don’t be afraid of not getting in due it being full. If it’s advertised, there’s likely places for you.”
- Kayleigh Smyth from Darlington – 1st Year BA (Hons) Fine Art – “Go for it, ignore all expectations and ask for the support you need. At this point grades are not important, but what you do with them and how you can use them to get somewhere you will enjoy for the next three years. It’s so important not to throw it away.”
- Lauren Gilbert from Northamptonshire – 1st Year BA (Hons) Events Management – “Don’t be scared of Clearing. Just because the university reduces their entry points doesn’t make it a bad course. I’m currently studying at UKCEM, the best university for Events Management in the country!”
- Lucie Wade from Dewsbury – 1st Year PhD History – “Don’t panic! It will be fine. Not getting the grades you needed to get into the specific university isn’t the end of the world.”
- Mollie Burgess from Prestwich – 1st Year BA (Hons) Education Studies – “See it as one door closes and another one opens. If you end up going through Clearing, then whatever you had planned before obviously wasn’t going to be right for you. You can succeed no matter where you go if you put your mind to it.”
- Nicole Hall-Eseigbe from Liverpool – Final Year BA (Hons) Business Management – “Breathe and don’t worry. There’s a lot of options available to you and you have done your best.”
- Ro Sewell from County Durham – 1st Year MA Social History – “Don’t panic about it! Whether you are going through Clearing because you didn’t get the grades you expected, because you changed your mind, or any other reason, there are plenty of opportunities and good universities to choose from. You won’t be stuck going somewhere you don’t want to go to or have no choices.”
- Toti James Misso from Northallerton – 2nd Year BA (Hons) Business Economics – “Don’t waste time with worries too much, but focus on the steps ahead of you and with what you have now.”
These sixteen students have all been through Clearing in the last few years and wanted to show those in a similar position this year, that it’s not all doom and gloom if you don’t get your expected grades.
They’re all now studying degrees, or have just graduated. At one time they felt that there was no hope, but now they’re at a university they enjoy and are happy they went through Clearing to get where they are today.
Offering his own advice about Clearing, Chris Watts, Director of University Recruitment at Leeds Beckett University, said: “Don’t panic – there are still a huge amount of options open to you on results day. Take a few deep breaths to take stock of your situation and don’t feel pressured into a quick decision.
“When calling universities, see it as an opportunity to sell yourself as a desirable student and when you pick up the phone remember to write down your essential information as this will help you during the conversation – this should include you UCAS ID and Clearing ID.
“Finally remember that the person on the other end of the phone wants to help you. They know that you’re nervous, and they’ll do everything they can to put you at ease.”
Leeds Beckett has created a dedicated microsite for clearing which offers prospective students lots of advice on how to make the correct decision, particularly when their results are not what they were expecting – www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/clearing