The Student Room Group

A level results day question

Hi, say i got my results and got the grades for a uni i applied for e.g. brunel but i have better grades and i want to try get into a better uni e.g. southampton. Should i go through clearing or adjustment and what are the differences if i want to apply to a relatively new course called mechatronics in the better uni.*

Scroll to see replies

Original post by KhanE_7
Hi, say i got my results and got the grades for a uni i applied for e.g. brunel but i have better grades and i want to try get into a better uni e.g. southampton. Should i go through clearing or adjustment and what are the differences if i want to apply to a relatively new course called mechatronics in the better uni.*

you can call Unis on the day see what they have in clearing, or look via UCAS and get a verbal offer before rejecting your offers, then if they say yes you can reject offers and go for that course in clearing.
Original post by KhanE_7
Hi, say i got my results and got the grades for a uni i applied for e.g. brunel but i have better grades and i want to try get into a better uni e.g. southampton. Should i go through clearing or adjustment and what are the differences if i want to apply to a relatively new course called mechatronics in the better uni.*


Adjustment no longer exists. You could try clearing but there is no guarantee that the course you want will be in clearing.
Reply 3
Original post by Nikki Lou Lou
you can call Unis on the day see what they have in clearing, or look via UCAS and get a verbal offer before rejecting your offers, then if they say yes you can reject offers and go for that course in clearing.

Thank you, so i dont have to immediately reject all my offers, I can call to see if the unis I want to go to have a place in their course
Reply 4
Original post by normaw
Adjustment no longer exists. You could try clearing but there is no guarantee that the course you want will be in clearing.

Oh i didnt know since when?
Original post by KhanE_7
Thank you, so i dont have to immediately reject all my offers, I can call to see if the unis I want to go to have a place in their course

That depends on the university. Some universities won’t make a clearing offer if you aren’t in clearing.

Have you applied to Southampton as one of your 5 choices now? That’s the best way to maximise your chances of a place. It also means that if you do want to swap to them through clearing they can verify your results even if you aren’t in clearing
Reply 6
That depends on the university. Some universities won’t make a clearing offer if you aren’t in clearing.
Have you applied to Southampton as one of your 5 choices now? That’s the best way to maximise your chances of a place. It also means that if you do want to swap to them through clearing they can verify your results even if you aren’t in clearing
its not one of my 5 choices since the grades are slightly higher than what I have currently so I did pick it and they rejected me I wouldn't be able to reapply for that same course in clearing
Reply 7
Original post by KhanE_7
its not one of my 5 choices since the grades are slightly higher than what I have currently so I did pick it and they rejected me I wouldn't be able to reapply for that same course in clearing

*if i did
Original post by KhanE_7
its not one of my 5 choices since the grades are slightly higher than what I have currently so I did pick it and they rejected me I wouldn't be able to reapply for that same course in clearing


A) lots of universities make offers to applicants with predictions below the standard offer
B) you can reapply in clearing to a choice you were rejected from earlier in the cycle
If you want to go to Southampton then apply there now with one of your 5 choices. Don’t wait for clearing
Reply 9
A) lots of universities make offers to applicants with predictions below the standard offer
B) you can reapply in clearing to a choice you were rejected from earlier in the cycle
If you want to go to Southampton then apply there now with one of your 5 choices. Don’t wait for clearing

Are you sure, I was told that if you reject or get rejected for a course, you can't re-apply for that same course in clearing
Original post by KhanE_7
Are you sure, I was told that if you reject or get rejected for a course, you can't re-apply for that same course in clearing


I am 100% positive.
Who told you that?
If you’re rejected for reasons other than predicted grades then it might be a waste of time but universities PREFER clearing applications from applicants who listed them as one of their top 5 in January over applicants who only show an interest in August
Original post by KhanE_7
Oh i didnt know since when?

It was one of David Cameron's daft ideas that the Unis didn't ask for, want or need.
All 'Uni changes' now go through Clearing - as they always did.
All rely on there being spaces on a course, it being 'in Clearing' and you having the grades that Uni wants.

Just be aware that if you do get higher grades than you were expecting its usually a far better idea to just cancel whatever place you are holding, plan a gap year, and reapply to 5 entirely new choices. This gives you time to go to Open Days, think carefully about the right course/Uni for you etc, and have a complete choice of all courses, not just 'whats in Clearing'. Also - be aware that Clearing applicants will be at the back of the queue for Uni accommodation, which at mega-competitive Unis can often mean no accommodation or just something that you can't afford.
Original post by KhanE_7
Thank you, so i dont have to immediately reject all my offers, I can call to see if the unis I want to go to have a place in their course

No. Call first, speak to them then reject then they will make the offer but have the verbal agreement first. i know many who have done this. No point rejecting all and entering clearing until your sure you have options, tell them you have offers however you like the sound of this course more and see its in clearing etc, they can only say no
For what it’s worth: don’t accept a “verbal” offer if you’re trying to switch universities in clearing.

Any university with any sense will happily send you an informal offer in writing

UCAS forbids universities from talking to students who are placed elsewhere unless they have an audit trail proving that the applicant approached them. So some universities won’t discuss offers if you’re placed elsewhere if their clearing systems don’t document that you contacted them. If they do document it then they should have no problem confirming an informal clearing offer by email in writing.
(edited 1 month ago)
Original post by KhanE_7
Hi, say i got my results and got the grades for a uni i applied for e.g. brunel but i have better grades and i want to try get into a better uni e.g. southampton. Should i go through clearing or adjustment and what are the differences if i want to apply to a relatively new course called mechatronics in the better uni.*

It's great to hear that you're interested in Southampton!

If your A-level results on results day turn out to be higher than your predicted grades, you can call Southampton’s Clearing to ask if you can secure a place with your current grades. This will depend on the availability of spaces in the course.

Before results day, you can always visit the university website to check out the modules you'll be studying in the degree to ensure it aligns with your interests. https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/mechatronic-engineering-degree-beng

We look forward to hopefully seeing you in Southampton this September!
Junfan Education student
For what it’s worth: don’t accept a “verbal” offer if you’re trying to switch universities in clearing.
Any university with any sense will happily send you an informal offer in writing
UCAS forbids universities from talking to students who are placed elsewhere unless they have an audit trail proving that the applicant approached them. So some universities won’t discuss offers if you’re placed elsewhere if their clearing systems don’t document that you contacted them. If they do document it then they should have no problem confirming an informal clearing offer by email in writing.

thats not true, you are able to talk to any university and no such forbidden I know from experience. OFC you need a written offer but you speak tot hem first then decline and they can take you through clearing, it happens every year.

An offer always has to be in writing but no need to decline you other palces if they say no we wouldnt take you anyway!
Original post by KhanE_7
Hi, say i got my results and got the grades for a uni i applied for e.g. brunel but i have better grades and i want to try get into a better uni e.g. southampton. Should i go through clearing or adjustment and what are the differences if i want to apply to a relatively new course called mechatronics in the better uni.*

Look the day before what is available in clearing. This year there were a lot of courses for many universities in clearing and the grades came down a lot for some universities but other universities stuck with their grades or made you call up.
Original post by Nikki Lou Lou
thats not true, you are able to talk to any university and no such forbidden I know from experience. OFC you need a written offer but you speak tot hem first then decline and they can take you through clearing, it happens every year.

An offer always has to be in writing but no need to decline you other palces if they say no we wouldnt take you anyway!


I work in admissions for a university and have done for decades.


It is absolutely true that universities are forbidden from talking to applicants placed elsewhere unless an applicant approaches them. That’s part of UCAS business rules. It’s also absolutely true that a university that doesn’t keep records of how an applicant contacted them can and will refuse to discuss an offer with an applicant who is placed elsewhere or may be unwilling to make any sort of offer in writing.


Most universities DO keep records and will consider applicants who are placed elsewhere if the applicant approaches them. Some will not make an informal clearing offer in that situation though, others will.


Any applicant who tries to use clearing for this purpose has to understand that they are not using clearing in the way it was designed and so they may find their choices limited. A university will prioritise an applicant who is actually IN clearing over someone who is placed elsewhere and just ringing around to try their luck. If an applicant is going to try to use clearing to “trade up” then they SHOULD request that a university sends a written informal offer before placing themselves into clearing. Giving up a place based on a phone call (with zero guarantees) is a huge risk.
(edited 1 month ago)
IMG_8095.jpegUCAS business rule forbidding contact with applicants placed elsewhere unless the applicant approaches them.


If a university doesn’t record the details of all clearing enquiries then they risk being accused of breaking this business rule.

Some universities, albeit a minority, don’t keep records and don’t want to risk breaking their contract with UCAS for applicants who didn’t even pick them as one of their 5 original choices.
I work in admissions for a university and have done for decades.
It is absolutely true that universities are forbidden from talking to applicants placed elsewhere unless an applicant approaches them. That’s part of UCAS business rules. It’s also absolutely true that a university that doesn’t keep records of how an applicant contacted them can and will refuse to discuss an offer with an applicant who is placed elsewhere or may be unwilling to make any sort of offer in writing.
Most universities DO keep records and will consider applicants who are placed elsewhere if the applicant approaches them. Some will not make an informal clearing offer in that situation though, others will.
Any applicant who tries to use clearing for this purpose has to understand that they are not using clearing in the way it was designed and so they may find their choices limited. A university will prioritise an applicant who is actually IN clearing over someone who is placed elsewhere and just ringing around to try their luck. If an applicant is going to try to use clearing to “trade up” then they SHOULD request that a university sends a written informal offer before placing themselves into clearing. Giving up a place based on a phone call (with zero guarantees) is a huge risk.

LOL I think you miss understood. No one told them universities would contact him, we advised he called the universities and asked about clearing places and also know that it absolutely and totally allowed


No one is speaking about poaching applicant from another university. But a applicant can certainly contact any university and say there grades, ask whats available and then if the university would say they would consider that applicant they if they wish to risk it can reject their offers and apply through clearing to that university. Which is TOTALLY allowed 😆

If they can get a written agreement I totally agree but at least have them say on the phone if not written but, it is NOT against the rules for a university to talk to a student who applied and has offers elsewhere if that applicant contacts them.

Quick Reply