Leeds Beckett says...

Leeds Beckett says…

HOW TO PREPARE FOR CLEARING

If you do end up deciding to enter Clearing, then having already done some research before results day can save you some invaluable time. Getting your grades will be emotional enough one way or another, so the less you have to worry about on the day, the better!

If you’re a list lover or a spreadsheet fanatic, then you can actually have quite a lot of fun with your research. But don’t worry if you that’s not you, as you don’t need anything too fancy. Here are the essentials we recommend looking into, just in case you don’t get the grades you need (or if you do better than expected):

Other universities that you might be interested in
Other relevant courses at the same university that you might be interested in
The phone numbers of universities you might want to ring (our Clearing hotline number is 0113 812 3113)

It’s worth making notes on the different universities / courses you like, including things like facilities and entry requirements, as you may end up looking at lots of information and it can be easy to get mixed up.

ESSENTIAL INFORMATION FOR CLEARING ON RESULTS DAY

On results day there’s some key information you’ll want to know before you make your application. Hopefully you’ve done some prep and you’re ready to go, here’s some additional information for you to reference on the day.

Tips for Clearing Top tips from our Head of Admissions, Denise Dixon Smith.

MAKING YOUR CLEARING CALL

If you do decide to give us a call on the day, here’s some extra tips for you to get the most out of your conversation. If you choose to apply online, these tips can still be helpful to keep in mind.

Write down your essential information

This will help you during your conversation. This should include having your UCAS ID and Clearing ID, if released, to hand. You should also make notes on the course you want to study – what has attracted you to it? Are there any details about the course you’d like to know? Now is the time to ask any questions you might have.
Stay online if possible

You’ll need to be able to sign into your UCAS Hub account once you’ve made your decision. It’s also handy to be able to check any further details of courses or universities that you’re interested before making your final decision.
Take a deep breath

Remember, the person on the end of the line wants to help. They will be speaking to hundreds of people in your position. They know you’re nervous, and they’ll do everything they can to try to put you at your ease. Try smiling while you speak – it may feel a little strange, but it will make your voice sound more relaxed and friendly over the line. Be prepared though, the lines may be busy. You may have to wait a few minutes before being connected to a telephone operator.
Making the call

However much you might want a parent or teacher to pick up the phone and do it on your behalf, this is something you need to do yourself. Due to Data Protection regulations, we cannot take phone calls from them without your expressed verbal consent. At the same time, however, it is good to remember that you’ll be the one studying at university for the next three years or more, so it has to be your decision.
Make notes during your phone call

If you’re ringing around a lot of universities, it can be easy to get confused. Make sure you know exactly what you’ve been offered from each university, and the details of their courses. Record any essential contacts, email addresses and telephone numbers which you may need for future reference.