The University of East London Parents' Guide to Clearing 2019

Parents’ and Guardians’ Guide to Clearing Discover more uel.ac.uk/clearing

THERE’S NO DENYING IT, RESULTS DAY CAN BE A STRESSFUL TIME FOR PARENTS AND STUDENTS ALIKE. WE’VE CREATED THIS HANDY GUIDE TO CLEARING PACKED FULL WITH ALL THE NECESSARY INFORMATION SO YOU’RE READY TO HELP IF NEEDED ON THEIR BIG DAY.

Clearing timeline

All the key dates for your calendar

18 June UEL’s Clearing service opens. Sign up to receive support from our Clearing Team, priority calls and our downloadable Clearing Guide at uel.ac.uk/clearing

5 July International Baccalaureate results published, UCAS Clearing begins with vacancies beginning to be published

6 August Highers results published, Clearing vacancies updated (Scotland)

15 August A-level results published, Clearing vacancies updated (England, Wales, Northern Ireland)

22 October The deadline for adding Clearing choices and for unis or colleges to accept Clearing applicants Sign up to UEL's Clearing Service at uel.ac.uk/clearing Call our Clearing hotline on 020 8223 3333

Clearing is an opportunity to secure a place at university. It runs every year from July to September. If students apply late, change their mind or miss out on the requirements of a conditional offer, it’s a way to get on to a course and start their academic journey.

Students who’ve come to UEL through Clearing have gone on to achieve first-class grades and inspirational careers.

We have produced this step-by-step guide to help answer any questions you may have about Clearing.

“ I APPLIED TO UEL THROUGH CLEARING. I KNEW THAT CLEARING WOULD GIVE ME A PLAN B, AND I HAD SEEN ONLINE THAT UEL DID LOTS OF SPORT-RELATED COURSES I WAS INTERESTED IN. I ALSO KNEW HOW GOOD THE SPORTS FACILITIES WERE BECAUSE EARLIER IN THE YEAR I HAD GONE TO WATCH WANDSWORTH WOLVES MEN’S BASKETBALL TEAM PLAY A MATCH AT THE UEL SPORTSDOCK.” Danielle Cummings BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching

Top tips for Clearing

Reassure Make sure your son or daughter knows how proud of them you are before Results Day Stay local If possible, try to ensure that holidays are booked outside of Clearing to make sure your son or daughter is available to make calls Do research Start researching potential universities as soon as possible. You can find a list of universities offering a range of courses on ucas.com

Know the numbers It’s useful to have a list of Clearing hotline numbers to hand. You can call us on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 Don’t delay Get on the phone as soon as possible to give your son or daughter the best chance of securing a place.

UEL’s Clearing team can be reached on +44 (0)20 8223 3333

Be patient Keep trying, even if the phone lines are busy. Our call centre is wellstaffed so it won’t take long to get through to our helpful team Plan ahead Ensure your son or daughter has their results and UCAS number to hand when calling universities

Secure a place, call: +44 (0)20 8223 3333

How to approach Clearing

Research beforehand If your son or daughter thinks they may not get the grades they need, it’s a good idea to research alternative universities beforehand. Have a look at courses with lower entry requirements and shortlist a few courses and universities they are interested in. Foundation degrees are a great option as they allow students to upgrade their academic skills before starting their undergraduate degree.

Be there Your son or daughter needs to be available to make calls once they get their results. It’s best not to book a holiday over this period so they’re able to make calls to universities they’re interested in with ease.

Be prepared It may seem obvious, but make sure you have a phone, pen and paper ready. Your son or daughter may well be feeling panicked so it’s worth making sure you have all the essentials to hand.

Talk about it There are plenty of resources out there to give advice on alternative courses and universities. Your son or daughter can seek help from their school or college, or from a university they are interested in.

Clearing can be stressful but it often delivers a better outcome for the student in the end. Universities will have dedicated admissions teams on hand to talk your son

or daughter through the process of Clearing and offer advice on courses, facilities and more.

You can speak to one of our knowledgeable advisers by calling our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 8223 3333.

Think outside the box It’s important that students in Clearing are willing to adjust and be flexible. Based on the subject areas your son or daughter enjoys the most, universities can suggest courses in Clearing they may be interested in.

It’s worth going into Clearing with an open mind. Your son or daughter may not think it at first but Clearing could be the beginning of something great. A change of course or subject may turn out to be the best decision for their future success and happiness.

Keep calm Going through Clearing can be stressful so encourage your son or daughter to stay calm and motivated.

Try to help them stay as relaxed as possible – feeling panicked and rushed will only hinder their chances of finding a course and university they are truly happy with.

And if it doesn’t work out – there’s always next year.

Clearing FAQs

When is Clearing available?

Clearing is open from July to September each year.

How do you search for Clearing vacancies?

Clearing vacancies can be found by using the UCAS search tool from July onwards.

Take a look at all the courses we’re offering in Clearing at uel.ac.uk/clearing How do you add a Clearing choice?

Students should only add a Clearing choice once they have been given an unofficial offer by a university.

Once they receive this they can add it to the ‘Your choices’ section in UCAS Track.

Where can my son or daughter find his/her Clearing number?

If a student is eligible for Clearing, the number will appear in UCAS Track.

Will changing university and course affect my son or daughter’s Student Finance application?

No, but they should contact Student Finance to inform them of the change to avoid any delays.

How do you apply to UEL through Clearing?

Call our Clearing hotline on +44 (0)20 8223 3333 and speak to our helpful team of advisors.

Why UEL? Support from the start We advise and support our students from the moment they apply to the day they graduate – and beyond. Our student helpdesks ensure there is access to the best possible information, advice and support.

Whatever problem or issue crops up, we’re always here to help.

Academic excellence Ninety-four per cent of our research is officially classified as either, ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ (latest REF).

World-class facilities We have invested £170 million in facilities in recent years – including a state-of-the-art library, Student Support Hubs, and one of the best indoor sports complexes in London.

The journey to a career Our mission is to prepare your son or daughter for the jobs of the future. We have been doing that for our students since 1898; from the 2nd Industrial Revolution through to where we are now, the 4th.

Today, emerging technology affects almost every industry in every country – and we will prepare them to face the challenges that this new technology presents.

On-campus community We provide one of the top campus experiences in London. Your son or daughter will be living in a friendly, secure, close-knit residential community with riverside views.

Superb location Our campuses are located in one of the world’s most multi-cultural and exciting areas. We are at the heart of the industrial and creative shift east, and a powerful global gateway. Our location in one of Europe’s largest regeneration areas and our extensive links to local employers allows access to fantastic internships and placements.

uel.ac.uk/clearing

Pioneering Futures Since 1898

Call our Clearing Hotline 020 8223 3333 uel.ac.uk/clearing