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Got your A-level results: what to do next
We hope you all did brilliantly in your A-level. But if you didn't, here's the ET's guide to what to do next.
We hope you all did brilliantly in your A-level. But if you didn't, here's the ET's guide to what to do next.Help! I didn't get the grades I needed to go to university – what do I do now?
Resit Your Exams:
If you ask nicely, your school or college might let you stay on another year to re-take your studies or at least sit the exams there.
Get your papers remarked
If you honestly think that the work you produced wasn't marked fairly, speak to your school or college as soon as possible, and they will contact the examination body to get your paper re-marked.
This might cost you money, but it has been known for people to go up by two grades after re-marking.
After A-levels
More advice, tips and links to important information to help you make your next move - peterboroughtoday.co.uk/afteralevels.
Clearing:
Clearing is the process you go into if your chosen university turns you down after your A-Level results. Hopefully, clearing will help you get into a uni that matches your grades.
1. Before entering clearing, it is always worth contacting the university you were planning to go to – you never know they may still take you. Make sure you keep your UCAS candidate number handy to quote in all discussions.
2. If you failed to gain your firm place and also missed the grades for your insurance place, then contact the insurance institution and see if they will take you even though you have lower grades than originally specified.
3. If you do need to use clearing, look carefully at all the clearing listings in the press and DON'T PANIC, you need to look at the UCAS website and apply for a Clearing Passport.
Clearing is open for about month after your A-Level results, and courses available are advertised on the UCAS site and in some national papers, such as the Independent. If you see a course that suits you, get on the phone to the uni straight away – phone numbers will be on the net or in the papers.
4. You can telephone as many places as you want, but remember you can only send your CEF number to one institution at a time (see below for more information on your Clearing Entry Form) so make sure that when you commit yourself you've chosen a course you really want to do in a location you are prepared to live in for many years.
5. And finally... remember universities are there to help you. When they advertise courses through clearing they need to fill their places, so shop around and don't be panicked into taking a course that you wouldn't otherwise have considered.
6. What if I'm away or on holiday?
Don't be. It's best to make sure you're not away, so you can make the telephone calls yourself. Don't leave it to parents, teachers or neighbours to do the job for you. Admissions tutors will want to see or speak to you in person.
7.A leaflet providing further instructions on the clearing process is available from UCAS. Call the organisation on 01242 222444 or visit the website www.ucas.com.
I wasn't thinking of going on to higher education but now I've changed my mind:
Can I still go through clearing if I haven't registered?
UCAS says: "You would have to fill in a normal UCAS application form and pay your application fee. Once your application form has been processed, you will be sent your Clearing Passport and you can start applying through the Clearing system – call our customer service number 0871 4680468 for more information."
I haven't been saving for uni, is it too late to get financial aid or loans sorted out?
"The student finance section at www.ucas.com offers information and links to key information about student finance. It's important to find out about the costs and the funding that you may be eligible for. We also have a budget calculator to help plan your finances in the first year."
I had a place confirmed at a university but my new results mean I'm thinking about doing another course. Is this possible?
"You can withdraw your application and re-apply next year and in exceptional cases you can get released from your confirmed choice, but you should discuss your options with the institution."
Getting On With A Career:
If you don't want to go to uni, and can't wait to get cracking in the world of work, there are many careers out there which you can go into with GCSEs, AS Levels and A-Levels.
Check out www.purplepigeon.net, Peterborough's Connexions website. It has loads of info on how to get into a profession, how much money you can expect to earn, and where to look for a job.
A letter from Bill Rammell, Minister of State for Higher Education
I would like to start by congratulating all the students in the East of England as they collect their A-level results.
Some of you may have not done as well as hoped but don't panic.
Every autumn, more than a quarter of a million people start a higher education course somewhere in Britain. Many of them have just left school or sixth-form college but many are older people who already have a job or a family and who didn't go to university first time around.
Whoever you are and whatever your circumstances, people from the East of England, just like you, are getting the benefit of a higher education right now.
And if you feel like you might have missed out on something somewhere along the line, there's no need to.
The UCAS clearing service is there to help. It helps more than 30,000 people a year whose A-levels aren't as good as they'd hoped, or who did not apply earlier in the year to find courses that still have places available.
Maybe you were worried about how much going to university would cost and didn't check it out for yourself. This year there's more money available to students in grants and loans, and on easier terms, than ever before.
Two thirds of students will now be eligible for a full or partial grant. The Government wants to support hard-working families that support their children.
Maybe you just didn't get your act together in time to apply. Maybe you got turned down by your first choice university and just gave up. Maybe you've spent your life listening to people tell you you're not clever. Or maybe you've never even dreamed that university could be for someone like you.
If any of them is you, then think again.
Of course, you might be wondering, "What's in it for me? Why should I be bothered?"
Well, consider this. Perhaps money's important to you. Graduates can expect to earn considerably more over their careers than those without a degree, with the average graduate earning comfortably more than 100,000 over their lifetime, after tax, compared to someone who just has A-levels
And you'll certainly have a much wider choice of jobs available to you.
If you are thinking of starting a family one day, the figures show that, if you've had a higher education, your children will be more likely to do well at school and go on to university one day themselves than if you haven't.
Or perhaps you just don't want to be bored and unfulfilled. Perhaps you think there are more things to feel and think about and experience than what you can see around you now.
If you think that any of those things are important, then a place at university can give them to you. There are more places available in more locations all over the country and in more subjects, many of which lead directly into careers this year than ever before.
You can study full-time or part-time, at a distance or even while at work.
It's not too late for students from the East of England. Somewhere out there is the right place for someone exactly like you. Clearing can help you find it. And you'll be able to get advice on money, too.
You've got a second chance. So grab it.
There is a free exams helpline – open from 8am on August 14 – and experienced advisers will be available to provide information all available options, including Clearing. The helpline number is 0808 100 8000.
For information on student finance go to www.direct.gov.uk/studentfinance
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