The Student Room Group

Uni Clearing 2024 alevel results day

Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to sell yourself on the phone on results day.
It’s results day tomorrow and I know I haven’t made the entry requirements (I don’t test too well) but I am very passionate about the course I want to study and I’ve heard they can let you in with lower grades if they have the space. Has anyone been in a similar situation to this and has any advice on how to convince unis to give them a place
Reply 1
Hiya, I'm currently waiting on my results tomorrow and in a similar position as you. Despite liking my A-Level subjects and really wanting to do my uni course (International Relations/Development), I know I haven't achieved my grade needed in history (ideally a B). I've always found history harder and turns out it was an overlapping exam so I ended up having 7 hours of exams that day. I know I likely won't even get a C so will have to go through clearing.

The thing is, I am really only interested in Uni of Sheffield, Uni of Leeds and potentially Uni of Liverpool but they all require quite high grades and may not let me in with a D. I need advice too for my clearing phone call.

(edited 2 months ago)
Reply 2
Original post by ngordobil
Hiya, I'm currently waiting on my results tomorrow and in a similar position as you. Despite liking my A-Level subjects and really wanting to do my uni course (International Relations/Development), I know I haven't achieved my grade needed in history (ideally a B). I've always found history harder and turns out it was an overlapping exam so I ended up having 7 hours of exams that day. I know I likely won't even get a C so will have to go through clearing.
The thing is, I am really only interested in Uni of Sheffield, Uni of Leeds and potentially Uni of Liverpool but they all require quite high grades and may not let me in with a D. I need advice too for my clearing phone call.
from what I’ve been researching because I’m quite stressed about this haha, unis are saying just have some key bits of information from your personal statement handy and details about the unis that make you want to go there because if you show the enthusiasm and willingness to put the work in they can offer you a place based on that. I’ve got no idea how that’s gonna go down tomorrow but I guess its worth a shot🤷*♀️
Original post by Regan_
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone has any advice on how to sell yourself on the phone on results day.
It’s results day tomorrow and I know I haven’t made the entry requirements (I don’t test too well) but I am very passionate about the course I want to study and I’ve heard they can let you in with lower grades if they have the space. Has anyone been in a similar situation to this and has any advice on how to convince unis to give them a place


If they let you in with lower grades that will be based on your application information not a phone call and it will show on UCAS this morning.
The only time to ring your firm university is if your status hasn’t updated on UCAS (your offer still shows as conditional/awaiting confirmation).
In that case you MUST ring. But not to beg.
You’re ringing to ask
- if they have your results in full
- if they need any other information from you
- when they expect to make a decision on UCAS
And if the answer to the last question is anything other than “this afternoon” then ask them to reject you so that you can go elsewhere.
Some universities will try to take advantage of applicants by leaving them in limbo for days or even weeks before they reject them. Don’t allow them to do that to you.
Reply 4
If they let you in with lower grades that will be based on your application information not a phone call and it will show on UCAS this morning.
The only time to ring your firm university is if your status hasn’t updated on UCAS (your offer still shows as conditional/awaiting confirmation).
In that case you MUST ring. But not to beg.
You’re ringing to ask
- if they have your results in full
- if they need any other information from you
- when they expect to make a decision on UCAS
And if the answer to the last question is anything other than “this afternoon” then ask them to reject you so that you can go elsewhere.
Some universities will try to take advantage of applicants by leaving them in limbo for days or even weeks before they reject them. Don’t allow them to do that to you.

wrt to the last point, if I really want to go to that uni (and tbh, nowhere else), should I still ask them to just reject me; or gamble on the offchance that they still might accept me? Thanks
Original post by kijeta
wrt to the last point, if I really want to go to that uni (and tbh, nowhere else), should I still ask them to just reject me; or gamble on the offchance that they still might accept me? Thanks


That’s your decision I’m afraid.
If they leave you in limbo for days then there will be very limited options available in clearing. If your insurance is unconditional (or you met your insurance conditions) and you like your insurance choice then waiting might be worthwhile.
In my experience universities will already know if they intend to accept or reject you today. They are just trying their luck.
Reply 6
That’s your decision I’m afraid.
If they leave you in limbo for days then there will be very limited options available in clearing. If your insurance is unconditional (or you met your insurance conditions) and you like your insurance choice then waiting might be worthwhile.
In my experience universities will already know if they intend to accept or reject you today. They are just trying their luck.

Thanks for your response. Do the unis that do that tend to be more competitve or less?
Original post by kijeta
Thanks for your response. Do the unis that do that tend to be more competitve or less?

Durham is the worst but there are sometimes courses or departments at other universities that do the same.

And sometimes universities are just disorganised or don’t bother to put the staff in place to process all the decisions in time.
Reply 8
does anyone know if I apply to a clearing course at uni of Liverpool online can I still apply to other clearing courses at other unis over the phone or is the online application at Liverpool mandatory to do if they accept you?
Reply 9
Durham is the worst but there are sometimes courses or departments at other universities that do the same.
And sometimes universities are just disorganised or don’t bother to put the staff in place to process all the decisions in time.

Thank you so much!
Original post by ngordobil
does anyone know if I apply to a clearing course at uni of Liverpool online can I still apply to other clearing courses at other unis over the phone or is the online application at Liverpool mandatory to do if they accept you?

The only action in clearing that prevents you from applying elsewhere is when you formally accept an informal offer by adding a clearing choice to your ucas application.

Just filling in online forms is the same as calling

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