If you think there’s a possibility you might be entered into clearing it’s worth starting to research your options now to avoid panic on results day. Having a clear plan for results day regardless of your final results helps alleviate anxiety, and helps you bounce back from disappointment.
When is A-Level Results Day?
Tuesday 10th August 2021
What happens on Results Day?
Universities will be notified of your final results, and UCAS Track will be updated at around 8am on the day. UCAS Track will show whether your place has been confirmed, denied, or is under consideration. You won’t be able to see your results on Track.
To get your results you will need to go to your exam centre, if you took the results at your school this is where it will be. Make sure you know where you’re going and what time you need to collect your results.
What can you do to for the day itself?
Check Your Details On UCAS
It’s very important to ensure your contact details are up to date, check your UCAS account and update your details if necessary.
Make a Results Day Plan
Having a plan can help to alleviate some of the anxiety of results day. Regardless of your final results it’s nice to have someone with you on results day, be that a parent, family member or friend, to help calm your nerves and celebrate afterwards. Make sure you know the answers to the following questions:
- What time do you need to collect your results?
- Where are you collecting your results from?
- How are you getting to the school / centre?
- Who are you going with?
- Are you going straight home afterwards or are you meeting up with friends?
Make Sure You’re Free On Results Day
Try to make sure you’re not on holiday on results day, as if you enter clearing or adjustment it’s easier to be in the country with access to a phone so you can call universities. If you are going to be away, ensure you’ve given someone nominated access to speak to universities on your behalf, they can’t discuss your application unless you have given permission. If you didn't do this when applying, contact UCAS to update your details.
How can you prepare for your results?
Explore All Possible Outcomes
There’s no right path to take, and your results might lead you on a different path to the one you’d planned on. Exploring all possible outcomes and ensuring you have a plan b helps to reduce the panic on results day and avoids scrambles to find a clearing place and agreeing to the first place you find - which may not be the right option for you.
Before results day you should begin to explore other possibilities just in case - it never hurts to be prepared!
Research courses and universities.
Have a look at universities offering the courses you’re interested in to get an idea of what other options there are for you.
Think about what you want to find out
You might not have gone on virtual open days or campus tours at the universities you’re looking at so think carefully about what kinds of things you’d like to know about the university before making any decisions.
Make a list of university contact details
If you know which universities you’re interested in, make a note of their contact details on our Clearing Directory so on the day you can call them straight away. Some universities like the University of Greenwich and City University allow you to register your interest now to receive updates and can give you a priority phone number on results day.
The Day Before Results Day
Get Your Documents Together
Put together your personal statement, UCAS ID number, GCSE and A-Level results to hand in case universities ask for them. Have a read over your personal statement to refresh your memory of why you want to study the course and the relevant experience - learning or work experience - you have. Universities will often ask questions to assess your interest in the course.
Get a good night's sleep
It’s easier said than done, but try not to spend all night worrying. You have no idea what the results will be and you can’t change them now. Track won't be updated till 8am so there’s no use staying up all night refreshing it.
