tag:theconversation.com,2011:/africa/topics/clearing-11914/articlesClearing – The Conversation2023-08-16T15:04:22Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/2116282023-08-16T15:04:22Z2023-08-16T15:04:22ZA-level results 2023: what to do if your grades aren’t what you hoped<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543015/original/file-20230816-27-r0c5o2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C0%2C5176%2C3445&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/side-view-close-young-woman-wearing-629040722">macondo/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>It’s likely that the <a href="https://feweek.co.uk/the-great-2023-grade-deflation-7-things-you-need-to-know/">proportion of top A-level grades</a> awarded in England this year will <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/aug/07/a-level-grades-results-students-england-uk">go down</a> this year. The government wants to combat “grade inflation” and align results with those handed out in 2019, before the pandemic. </p>
<p>COVID-19 disruption, cancelled exams and teacher assessment meant that more high grades were given out in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, fewer top grades were awarded than in the two previous years, but still <a href="https://schoolsweek.co.uk/the-great-2023-grade-deflation-7-things-you-need-to-know/">significantly more</a> than in 2019. </p>
<p>All this means that if you are a student receiving your results the grades you get may be not be what you hoped. Perhaps they are lower than the offer you received from a university. Perhaps you don’t feel they reflect the hard work you’ve put in. So – what should you do?</p>
<p>You’ve probably be advised to stay calm and not panic. But back when I was in a similar situation I can recall how difficult it was to feel anything positive about the future, so my first piece of advice is this: allow yourself to be upset. </p>
<p>Not getting the results you want is disappointing and you should feel free to express that fury, sadness and frustration. Have a shout, cry, write down how you feel, whatever works for you. If you feel that you can’t cope, <a href="https://www.youngminds.org.uk/young-person/coping-with-life/exam-stress/#Gethelpnow">please ask for help</a>. </p>
<h2>What to do</h2>
<p>Once you’ve had a chance to vent, get ready to act – because you have options. </p>
<p><strong>Talk to your teachers:</strong> Go into school or college and ask for a meeting with them. Your teachers know you better than you think and they certainly understand you as a learner. They know what you are capable of and they can give you objective advice that you can trust. This might include looking for a university course <a href="https://educationhub.blog.gov.uk/2023/06/26/what-is-clearing-and-when-does-it-open-in-2023/">through clearing</a>. </p>
<p><strong>Talk to your prospective university:</strong> If you held a conditional offer for a university place and didn’t get the required grades, give the admissions office a call. They may still be able to accept you on to the course, or offer you a place on another course. </p>
<p><strong>Get your grades checked:</strong> If you really think that one or more of your grades are wrong, you can ask for your scripts to be checked. Firstly, talk to your school - you will have an examinations officer who can advise you on how to go about checking your results. If you (or your parents) want to know more, you can contact the exam boards - all of the contact details you need are <a href="https://www.jcq.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Post-Results-Service_June23_FINAL.pdf">here</a>.</p>
<p><strong>Avoid doom scrolling:</strong> Remember that social media is not reality. Scrolling to see groups of students literally jumping for joy, posts about getting in to university, or celebrities promising that they failed everything and still did alright, is <a href="https://www.thecompleteuniversityguide.co.uk/student-advice/final-choice/results-day-stress-and-mental-health">unlikely to be positive</a> for your mental health. </p>
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<img alt="Group of friends seen from behind in park" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543022/original/file-20230816-25-wzrt55.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/543022/original/file-20230816-25-wzrt55.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543022/original/file-20230816-25-wzrt55.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543022/original/file-20230816-25-wzrt55.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543022/original/file-20230816-25-wzrt55.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543022/original/file-20230816-25-wzrt55.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/543022/original/file-20230816-25-wzrt55.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Look to friends, family and teachers for support.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/group-young-friends-park-sunset-hugging-1680442021">loreanto/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>Ask yourself - “how will this help me today?” If you can, stay off social media on results day and seek solace with family and friends who know you and can support you in genuine ways. </p>
<h2>Looking forward</h2>
<p>You might have been focused on a dream course at a dream university, and feel that if you can’t go there, everything is ruined. Well, there are other dream courses and universities, and your grades today might point you in a direction that you have never considered before. </p>
<p>What’s more – you don’t have to go to university right now. The truth is that challenges and failures also provide opportunities in life. Maybe it’s the time to take stock, give yourself a year out, get some <a href="https://nationalcareers.service.gov.uk/">careers advice</a>, volunteer, or try some different types of employment. </p>
<p>And, if you are still interested after a year (or two), it’s important to know that universities are also interested in students with some life events beyond school under their belts, as well as those with top grades. Trust me, this was my experience. </p>
<p>You are not the grades you received this year. You never have been and you never will be, because those grades only represent a tiny point in time relating to the creative, brilliant, thinking, knowing and complex individuals we all are at different points in our lives. </p>
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<p>
<em>
<strong>
Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/a-level-and-gcse-cancellation-a-missed-opportunity-to-rethink-assessment-152846">A-level and GCSE cancellation: a missed opportunity to rethink assessment</a>
</strong>
</em>
</p>
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<p>The focus on qualifications has reduced that rich experience of school education into a means of dividing young people into spurious groups which can never fully define you. </p>
<p>Take your courage in both hands and try to see it like this: not better or worse, just different.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/211628/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Mary Richardson does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>You are not the grades you received this year.Mary Richardson, Professor of Educational Assessment, UCLLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1884012022-08-18T11:54:17Z2022-08-18T11:54:17ZA-levels: A grades are up compared to pre-pandemic results<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/479691/original/file-20220817-11662-syueee.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=0%2C38%2C4400%2C3375&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Fewer students are getting their first choice of university than in 2021.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/female-college-students-celebrating-exam-results-763468420">Monkey Business Images/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The 2022 A-level results are in, and the number of students receiving A or A* grades <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/aug/18/a-level-results-a-and-a-star-grades-fall-sharply">has fallen</a> – down by 8.4% on 2021. </p>
<p>For the first time since 2019, A-level results <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/speeches/ofquals-approach-to-grading-exams-and-assessments-in-summer-2022-and-autumn-2021">are being decided</a> by formal exams. Students <a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/ucas-alan-smithers-university-of-buckingham-higher-education-policy-institute-england-b2145311.html">were warned</a> that grades were likely to be lower than in 2020 and 2021, when cancelled exams and teacher assessments in A-levels led to record high results. Nevertheless, the proportion of students receiving A grades is up from <a href="https://www.gov.uk/government/news/guide-to-as-and-a-level-results-in-england-summer-2022">pre-pandemic levels in 2019</a>. </p>
<p>A busy end to the admissions round is under way for universities and students, and the next steps for students still living with the impact of the pandemic are becoming clearer.</p>
<p>In 2021, some universities were <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-leeds-58176877">over subscribed</a> and had to offer significant incentives for students to defer their places. While the number of students in 2022 <a href="https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/record-progression-higher-education-exam-sitting-students">accepted on a UK university course</a> – 425,830 – is higher than in 2019 and the second highest on record, it is 2% lower than in 2021. Just a few days before the results were out, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2022/aug/14/about-28000-a-level-students-who-want-to-go-university-without-an-offer">thousands of students</a> did not yet hold an offer of an university place.</p>
<p>Over the past two years, students studying qualifications, whether BTEC, T-level or A-level, have had to cope with the consequences of the pandemic for a significant proportion of their course. This has included school closures and remote lessons, social isolation, illness and increased levels of mental stress.</p>
<h2>Highest number of applications</h2>
<p>Nevertheless, 2022 has seen the highest ever numbers of applications to higher education, with <a href="https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/record-applications-disadvantaged-students-higher-education">44% of 18 year olds</a> applying. This number includes record numbers of students from areas of the country with historically low participation in higher education. It demonstrates that many young people believe higher education can make a difference to their future opportunities. </p>
<p>For the lucky ones who get the grades to gain a place at their first choice of university, planning for their degree course starts right away. A record number of Scottish students have already been accepted to their <a href="https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/record-proportion-scottish-students-accepted-their-first-choice-university">first choice</a> of university. </p>
<p>The best advice for those students who don’t receive confirmation that they have been accepted by their first choice university is to ring the university, who will have staff on hand to explore their options. </p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"1560165038597578752"}"></div></p>
<p>For students who haven’t got a university place, it is still possible to explore options <a href="https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/results-confirmation-and-clearing/what-clearing#how-do-i-apply-using-clearing-">though clearing</a> – which allows students without offers to find places on university courses that haven’t been fully subscribed. Students in this position should try to keep calm, write down their options and avoid quick decisions.</p>
<p>For those young people who do go to university, there will be challenges. With the cost of living for all rising rapidly, people on a lower income – as many students are – will feel the pinch of higher bills for food or rent. </p>
<h2>Support from universities</h2>
<p>The pandemic saw a serious and concerning rise in <a href="https://www.youngminds.org.uk/about-us/reports-and-impact/coronavirus-impact-on-young-people-with-mental-health-needs/">mental health issues</a> affecting young people. Universities need to be ready to give holistic support to students as they transition into university and settle into undergraduate life. This means support for academic transition needs to be delivered in the context of good available support for mental health and wellbeing. </p>
<p>However, Universities UK, an advocacy groups for universities, has recently <a href="https://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/latest/insights-and-analysis/whats-degree-worth">pointed out</a> the wide range of benefits for those who study for a degree, including the £9,500 more per year on average graduates in England earn compared with non-graduates. It also draws attention to the value of degrees to improve the life chances of young people, to build skills and to contribute to society. </p>
<p>For many young people, getting a degree gives them access to a vocation such as teaching or working as a health professional. For others it is a path to travel and adventure. For many, the university journey is a place where young people find their tribe and begin to understand their identity.</p>
<p>For the class of 22, making it to university might mean life-changing opportunities. Given the challenges and restrictions of the last few years, this has never been more important.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/188401/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Helena Gillespie receives funding from the European Union.</span></em></p>The pandemic has has a serious impact on school pupils – but a record number have applied to university.Helena Gillespie, Associate Pro Vice Chancellor for Student Inclusion and Professor of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, University of East AngliaLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1447632020-08-19T15:53:43Z2020-08-19T15:53:43ZA levels: government’s U-turn has left universities in the lurch<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/353687/original/file-20200819-42970-13hkan2.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&rect=8%2C0%2C5742%2C3837&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/elegant-teacher-students-sitting-college-lecture-160511186">ESB Professional/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>The UK government has performed a U-turn on A level exam grades, awarding students in England the marks given by teacher assessment where they are higher than the moderated grades adjusted by what the government now admits was a flawed algorithm. While this is a source of relief for many students, it leaves many universities facing more uncertainty about student numbers and their financial future – with ramifications that may last for years.</p>
<p>On the morning of Thursday August 13, many students – in many cases <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/13/england-a-level-downgrades-hit-pupils-from-disadvantaged-areas-hardest">from disadvantaged backgrounds</a> – woke up to find results that did not reflect their mock exam results or grades predicted by their teachers. </p>
<p>The algorithm developed by Ofqual to prevent grade inflation as a result of teacher-awarded marks resulted in nearly <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/17/a-levels-gcse-results-england-based-teacher-assessments-government-u-turn">40% of marks being lowered</a>. For some students, this meant that they had failed to meet the entry requirements for their preferred university course. </p>
<p>As soon as the A level results were out, universities opened phone lines for the clearing process, as they do every year – offering remaining places on under-subscribed courses to students who missed out due to lower than expected grades. </p>
<p>Thousands of disappointed students began to contact universities, hoping to salvage their dreams of higher education. Universities responded to students’ clearing applications by looking at individual profiles, awarded marks, predicted grades and personal statements to make a judgement about offers. Universities are keen to make offers to students that match their aspirations, as well as using their academic achievements as a guide for engagement and success with their studies. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="Girl on phone" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/353694/original/file-20200819-16-rxqgu7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/353694/original/file-20200819-16-rxqgu7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353694/original/file-20200819-16-rxqgu7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353694/original/file-20200819-16-rxqgu7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353694/original/file-20200819-16-rxqgu7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353694/original/file-20200819-16-rxqgu7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353694/original/file-20200819-16-rxqgu7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Clearing allows students another route into university.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/asian-girl-listening-call-on-her-510552157">BonNontawat/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>Then, on Monday August 17 – after a weekend of pressure – the education secretary, Gavin Williamson, announced that England would follow the example of Scotland and award grades <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/17/a-levels-gcse-results-england-based-teacher-assessments-government-u-turn">based on teacher assessment</a>. <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-53763869#:%7E:text=allocation%20of%20grades.-,A%2Dlevel%20and%20AS%2Dlevel%20students%20in%20Northern%20Ireland%20will,based%20solely%20on%20teacher%20predictions.">Northern Ireland</a> and <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/aug/17/welsh-government-makes-u-turn-on-a-level-and-gcse-results#:%7E:text=Wales%20has%20joined%20Scotland%20and,back%20teacher%20assessment%20of%20students.">Wales</a> also made the same move on August 17.</p>
<p>But the university places that were decided in the five days before this reverse – when the government declared that there would <a href="https://inews.co.uk/news/gavin-williamson-vows-no-u-turn-a-level-grading-system-580350">be no U-turn</a> in England – have now been thrown into doubt.</p>
<h2>Challenges for universities</h2>
<p>Universities are already suffering the effects of the coronavirus pandemic. Across the higher education sector, universities have been bracing for the expected reduction of international students. An over-reliance on international students to balance budgets has left some <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-universities-came-to-rely-on-international-students-138796">gaping holes</a>. </p>
<p>In the past six months, there have <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/covid-19-crisis-could-bankrupt-dozen-uk-universities-ifs-warns">been warnings</a> that the financial viability of some universities is at risk. Some institutions have taken <a href="https://www.newstatesman.com/politics/education/2020/06/universities-crisis-moment-end-decade-marketisation">extreme measures</a>, such as large-scale redundancies, to avoid going bankrupt. </p>
<p>At the same time, the sector in the UK was preparing itself for the lowest point of what is known as the “demographic dip”. The population of 18 year-olds has been decreasing since 2017 and 2020 is predicted as <a href="https://wonkhe.com/blogs/the-great-recruitment-crisis-planning-for-rapid-student-number-growth/">the lowest point</a> before a predicted increase in 2021 and again in 2022. The population of 18 year-olds is expected to steadily increase until 2030.</p>
<p>Now, the U-turn on A level results has created unprecedented uncertainty. The late decision, five days into the clearing process, has meant that offers that were confirmed following results day may now be overturned. </p>
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<img alt="Happy girl looking at results paper" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/353696/original/file-20200819-42893-lt4v1g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/353696/original/file-20200819-42893-lt4v1g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353696/original/file-20200819-42893-lt4v1g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353696/original/file-20200819-42893-lt4v1g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353696/original/file-20200819-42893-lt4v1g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353696/original/file-20200819-42893-lt4v1g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/353696/original/file-20200819-42893-lt4v1g.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Altered results may mean students will look to attend their first-choice university.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/teenage-girl-happy-good-exam-results-218273332">SpeedKingz/Shutterstock</a></span>
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<p>Disappointed students accepted places, selected accommodation and had begun to adjust to their choice at universities that may not have been their first preference. They now have the option to revisit their first choice. </p>
<p>Universities do not know what impact this will have. Many top-tier universities are fully subscribed and students are being told that their offer will be honoured – but not until 2021. This presents a challenge to offer holders: whether to accept a place at an institution that wasn’t their first choice, so that they can start university now, or wait 12 months with <a href="https://theconversation.com/why-young-people-still-want-to-go-to-university-even-though-itll-be-very-different-to-usual-142534">limited employment prospects</a> and no gap-year travel. </p>
<p>Some students may even elect to take exams in the autumn rather than taking the teacher-assessed grades they have been given, looking to win entry to their first-choice university in 2021.</p>
<h2>Winners and losers</h2>
<p>There will be some winners and losers in the A level debacle. The Department of Education has opted to remove <a href="https://www.tes.com/news/A-level-grades-u-turn-uni-student-number-cap-removed">student number caps</a>, introduced by the government <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/details-english-student-number-controls-unveiled">during the coronavirus pandemic</a> to stop universities making unconditional offers and to ensure a fair distribution of students across the sector. </p>
<p>This means that some universities will be able to over-recruit, and others will lose students to more “prestigious” institutions. This may result in smaller student cohorts at some universities and non-viable numbers for some courses, putting jobs at risk.</p>
<p>For some universities this may be catastrophic. The UK government needs to ensure that universities are funded appropriately at this time to ensure their continued financial viability – especially for those in towns and cities where the presence of a university is a way to support social mobility and aspiration for the whole community.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/144763/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Catherine Carroll-Meehan does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Universities now face more financial uncertainty.Catherine Carroll-Meehan, Head of School of Education and Sociology (EDSOC), University of PortsmouthLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1216712019-08-14T12:10:11Z2019-08-14T12:10:11ZA-level results: a minority of students achieve predicted marks, so yes the system should be reformed<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/288002/original/file-20190814-136230-rwl5kp.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/two-girls-celebrating-exam-results-school-735915199?src=vCuSgjnf8sFlXDwu_4Ax9g-1-0">shutterstock/Monkey Business Images</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>With <a href="https://theconversation.com/the-north-south-divide-in-a-levels-explained-64317">A-level results day</a> come the countless pictures of jubilant students leaping in the air. But despite those jumping for joy, results day can also be a nerve-wracking time for those waiting to see if they got the grades needed to get into their first choice university. </p>
<p>It’s generally accepted that going to university plays a significant part in shaping lives, and the skills gained there help to sustain a thriving society. So it seems odd that at the heart of this process is guesswork – with the <a href="https://theconversation.com/should-students-apply-to-university-after-they-receive-their-a-level-results-110333">bulk of university offers based on predicted grades</a>. </p>
<p>Indeed, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2019/aug/13/labour-wants-universities-to-offer-places-after-exam-results">Labour has announced</a> plans to replace offers based on predicted grades with a new “fairer” system of post-qualification admissions. Under Labour’s plans, students would apply for their higher education place after receiving their results instead of the current system of predicted grades – which the party says penalises <a href="https://theconversation.com/bright-poor-students-less-likely-to-get-into-elite-universities-28560">disadvantaged students</a> and those from minority backgrounds. </p>
<p>The plans also look to curb the rise in unconditional offers and bring an end to the <a href="https://theconversation.com/going-through-university-clearing-then-make-sure-you-do-these-four-things-82460">clearing process</a> – which <a href="https://labour.org.uk/press/labour-announces-radical-shake-higher-education-admissions-system/">the party says</a> can be an “incredibly stressful and worrying time for students”.</p>
<h2>The problem with predicted grades</h2>
<p>Care has to be taken to not create a crisis where there isn’t one. After all, most university applicants find a place to study and UCAS provides for “adjustment” allowing students who have “overachieved” to reconsider where to study. </p>
<p>But, according to a 2016 report from <a href="https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/news/2016/dec/call-university-applications-overhaul-report-reveals-just-16-predicted-level-results-are-correct">University College London’s</a> (UCL) Institute of Education, only 16% of predicted grades are accurate. And less than one in five students gains the grades their university offers are based upon. Of the others, 75% are over-predicted and 9% of students are under-predicted. These figures show that this is not a marginal issue. The process of predicted grades is inaccurate for most applicants. </p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/should-universities-lower-entry-grades-for-disadvantaged-students-97142">Should universities lower entry grades for disadvantaged students?</a>
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<p>It would seem at first glance that the 75% of students with over-predicted grades have just been “lucky”, but it’s not that simple. The admissions process is designed to match academic potential and courses to maximise the chance of applicants thriving while studying. Over-predicting may place students “out of their depth”. So rather than benefiting from this “advantage” it may put students under academic stress that limits their potential. </p>
<p>Even if these students thrive, they act as place blockers for other students who may have been better suited to the course. Although there are <a href="https://theconversation.com/now-universities-can-accept-as-many-students-as-they-want-will-there-be-a-free-for-all-in-clearing-45633">no longer student number controls</a> and universities can, in theory, take as many students as they wish, real estate, student accommodation, and staffing mean that practically places are limited. So every extra student on a course who technically didn’t get the grades to be there, is taking up a spot.</p>
<h2>Massive disadvantage</h2>
<p>For the 9% of students whose projected grades were lower than their actual grades, this disparity tempers aspirations. These students’ true abilities would place them at higher ranking universities, but they may not be made offers – even if they do apply – because of their inaccurate projected grades. <a href="https://theconversation.com/ten-pieces-of-advice-on-clearing-from-an-admissions-tutor-30297">Going through Clearing</a> could be a way out of this, but emotionally these students may not want to make a late change to their place of study – and places at their ideal universities may already be filled by students whose grades were inflated.</p>
<p>UCL’s report also noted that the students most likely to be under-predicted on grades are those from disadvantaged backgrounds. Over the course of the study, 3,000 high performing students – those getting AABs or better – from disadvantaged backgrounds were under-predicted. This meant they applied to universities they were overqualified for.</p>
<p><a href="https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/32412/11-1043-investigating-accuracy-predicted-a-level-grades.pdf">According to analysis</a> carried out by the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, black students were the most likely to have their grades under-predicted. <a href="https://www.suttontrust.com/newsarchive/admissions-process-barrier-poor-students/">The Sutton Trust</a> has also warned that poorer students are more likely to have their grades under-predicted – making them less likely to apply to the most selective institutions. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/288003/original/file-20190814-136190-17y7jad.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/288003/original/file-20190814-136190-17y7jad.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=374&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/288003/original/file-20190814-136190-17y7jad.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=374&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/288003/original/file-20190814-136190-17y7jad.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=374&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/288003/original/file-20190814-136190-17y7jad.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=469&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/288003/original/file-20190814-136190-17y7jad.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=469&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/288003/original/file-20190814-136190-17y7jad.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=469&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">England is the only country with over a million students where a pre-qualifications admissions system is used.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/belgrade-serbia-circa-june-2014-adults-198917669?src=DwH3LqIiaVdX2I5201gXRw-1-0">Shutterstock/bibiphoto</a></span>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/university-clearing-a-view-for-and-against-64081">University clearing: a view for and against</a>
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<p>All of which makes Labour’s most recent suggestions of reforming the system a step in the right direction. Indeed, a <a href="https://www.ucu.org.uk/media/10041/Post-qualification-application-a-student-centred-model---Jan-2019/pdf/PQA_report_Jan19.pdf">2019 report from The University and College Union</a> revealed that post-qualification admissions were the global norm, and that countries the UK often benchmarks against – such as Germany, Singapore, Australia and the US – all use this system.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.cnedu.pt/content/noticias/internacional/Education_at_a_glance_2018.pdf">The OECD’s top five countries</a> with the highest performing graduates also use post-qualification admissions – so it’s possible that students in those countries are being better matched to institutions and thriving accordingly. </p>
<p>The UK’s approach was designed in the 1980s and is becoming less fit for purpose. The system allows disadvantage to be compounded and the merits of a notable group of students to not be fully recognised. To move to a new system will not be easy but international examples show this is possible. And if we are to have a system of education that values, recognises and rewards merit it is an essential step. </p>
<p>A system where qualifications are assessed on what has been achieved and not what has been unreliably predicted would also help to move higher education access nearer to a transparent merit-based approach and at the very least would remove the clairvoyance that compounds disadvantage.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/121671/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Iain Garner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Only 16% of predicted grades are accurate and the current system penalises disadvantaged students and those from minority backgrounds.Iain Garner, Head of the Department of Education, Childhood & Inclusion, Sheffield Hallam UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1103332019-02-18T10:37:15Z2019-02-18T10:37:15ZShould students apply to university after they receive their A-level results?<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/258988/original/file-20190214-1726-8jumdo.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Most students looking to start university in September have applied to their chosen universities by now. Some may have even received and already accepted unconditional offers. Students are increasingly likely to be offered an unconditional offer for a place on an undergraduate course, before they have completed their qualifications at school or college.</p>
<p>The number of unconditional offers made to 18-year-old students from England, Northern Ireland and Wales <a href="https://www.ucas.com/corporate/news-and-key-documents/news/increase-unconditional-offers-made-young-people-england-wales-and-northern-ireland">has risen massively over the past five years</a> – from 2,985 in 2013 to 67,915 in 2018. Last year, 7.1% of offers made to these students were unconditional, continuing the recent trend of annual increases.</p>
<p>It’s perhaps not surprising then that <a href="https://www.ucu.org.uk/article/9834/Report-says-students-should-apply-to-university-after-they-get-results">a recent report from the Universities and Colleges Union</a> suggests reforming the university admissions system for undergraduates in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. </p>
<p>Under the current system, potential students usually apply for degree courses during the year before they sit their A-level exams. Schools provide universities with predicted grades and these can then be taken into account to determine whether to offer a university place to an applicant. Students are then given offers that in most cases are conditional on attaining certain grades at A-level – though increasingly students are also being offered unconditional offers. </p>
<h2>Making the grade</h2>
<p>The report highlights the increased trend towards unconditional offers – which it suggests distort students’ decision making processes and removes transparency. It also says it is unhelpful for school teachers who deal with A-level students – many of whom have little motivation to work hard once they have accepted an unconditional offer. Arguably, the growth in unconditional offers is a symptom, and not a cause, of dysfunction in the current system.</p>
<p>Instead, the report advocates a move towards a system whereby applicants would not be offered a place on an undergraduate course until they have completed whatever qualification they need to join the course. </p>
<p>It also outlines measures to ensure students embark on their A-levels better prepared for the transition to university than they are at present. This could see school students focus on the university application process in the years leading up to their A-levels. Students would also receive detailed guidance about higher education options as early as year ten of secondary school, two years before they normally start on their university applications.</p>
<h2>Clearing nightmare?</h2>
<p>For this to work, the report says that A-level exams and the release of A-level results would need to be brought forward a few weeks. At the moment, exam results are released, prompting a frenetic period, known as clearing. This is when students who have done better or worse than their predicted grades battle it out to secure a place at a university.</p>
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Read more:
<a href="https://theconversation.com/university-clearing-a-view-for-and-against-64081">University clearing: a view for and against</a>
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<p>As someone who works in university admissions, the proposed time frame of the new system seems problematic. Rather than placing the 12% of applicants who apply through clearing during the weeks between results day and the start of the university term, all applicants would need to be dealt with during that short period. This is a daunting prospect for many university managers.</p>
<p>It also introduces a challenge because, at present, universities are able to gauge the likely number of applicants for a course once students start to apply. This is often up to a year before they take their A-levels. So this would mean universities wouldn’t know very far in advance how many students were actually interested in attending a course (although the report does outline a process whereby potential students could express an interest before their A-level exams).</p>
<h2>How other countries do it</h2>
<p>It is also worth noting the context for the report. The authors have surveyed university admissions systems around the world and suggested that England, Wales and Northern Ireland are unusual in having a large, complex and highly developed university sector which is dependent on a “pre-qualification” admission. </p>
<p>So this move would bring English universities, which operate in an international market, more closely in line with those elsewhere in the world. It would probably also make it more straightforward for international students to apply to UK universities. This, the report argues, would lead to better prepared applicants who would in turn become more satisfied and engaged students. </p>
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<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/258989/original/file-20190214-1758-zq8m1n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/258989/original/file-20190214-1758-zq8m1n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/258989/original/file-20190214-1758-zq8m1n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/258989/original/file-20190214-1758-zq8m1n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/258989/original/file-20190214-1758-zq8m1n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/258989/original/file-20190214-1758-zq8m1n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/258989/original/file-20190214-1758-zq8m1n.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">It can be a big transition, going from school to university.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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<p>All in all, it would be a massive shift in how admissions are handled, affecting schools, universities, agents who recruit overseas students, and many others. It’s unlikely that these proposals, detailed as they are, would be adopted exactly as they stand, but the report has established the principle that the current system should be open to review and redesign. </p>
<p>From a university viewpoint, the argument about students being ready to move on from school is very powerful. Any change to admissions will have a better chance of success if it can result in better prepared applicants who stand to become more satisfied students. </p>
<p><a href="https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/system/files/hub/download/threshold_concepts_introductory_tool_0.pdf">Research</a> into the transition from school to university and the first year experience, shows that students need to develop new techniques and new perspectives on knowledge, to enable them to learn more independently and in more depth than they did at school. So changing the admissions process would be a great way to help students cross that threshold. It would also help to ensure more students stay on at university and have a positive learning experience.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/110333/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Martin Rich has in the past received funding from the Higher Education Academy. </span></em></p>Why a recent report, backed by university staff, argues that institutions should start offering students places after they’ve received their A-level results.Martin Rich, Senior Lecturer in the Cass Business School, City, University of LondonLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1012822018-08-16T04:42:08Z2018-08-16T04:42:08ZHow students use social media to choose their university<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/231302/original/file-20180809-30458-ok9iv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The internet has undoubtedly changed the way we live and communicate. People are now able to share information not only with their friends and relatives, but also with complete strangers through the likes of Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.</p>
<p>Research shows that young people view communications on social media as <a href="https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1007/978-3-319-45234-0_32">more credible</a> compared with traditional media and information provided by companies. And social media also has <a href="https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319524580">more impact on consumer decision making</a>. </p>
<p>Prospective university students now come from a generation that is immersed in social media and digital technologies – and most students use these technologies extensively as a <a href="http://www.pewinternet.org/2010/07/09/millennials-will-make-online-sharing-in-networks-a-lifelong-habit/">source of information</a>, including as a way to choose their future university.</p>
<p>Previously, prospective students relied heavily on official university guides and rankings, but <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/blogs/how-international-students-use-social-media-choose-uk-university">83% of students</a> now also use social media channels to help them make their university choices. </p>
<h2>The real deal</h2>
<p>By using social media, prospective students can get an unofficial, student view of a university, which they would not be able to find on official university web pages. </p>
<p>According to the <a href="http://www.ncub.co.uk/">National Centre for Universities and Business</a> Facebook is the most popular social media channel for students searching for information. Twitter can be another great source of information and a way to ask university staff and current students questions. </p>
<p>Universities often provide information on the hashtags their students use. For example, at <a href="http://www.ox.ac.uk/">Oxford University</a> #oxtweets is where students tweet about their lives there. <a href="http://www.swansea.ac.uk/">Swansea University</a> has created the hashtag #SwanseaGrad which can help prospective students get an inside look at the graduation spirit.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/231314/original/file-20180809-30461-hmkcm0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/231314/original/file-20180809-30461-hmkcm0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/231314/original/file-20180809-30461-hmkcm0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/231314/original/file-20180809-30461-hmkcm0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/231314/original/file-20180809-30461-hmkcm0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/231314/original/file-20180809-30461-hmkcm0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/231314/original/file-20180809-30461-hmkcm0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
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<span class="caption">Universities looking to bridge the social media gap between them and their students are increasingly exploring hashtags.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Shutterstock</span></span>
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<p>Other useful website include <a href="https://www.whatuni.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjw14rbBRB3EiwAKeoG_0C8y79nLOFqDpCjiuCpdHlDHV_7WbGWFZ1ougMZDnTuoZNOSOoA_hoCi_8QAvD_BwE">WhatUni</a>, <a href="https://unistats.ac.uk/">UniStats</a> and the <a href="https://www.thestudentroom.co.uk/">Student Room</a>, all of which allow students to get information about the university experience beyond degrees and accommodation. Students can get a feeling about how they might “fit in”, how it feels to live and study in the place, and a sense of the community and social life at their new place of study.</p>
<h2>Easy access</h2>
<p>Social media can also be a helpful tool for international students. UK universities have high numbers of overseas students, and it can be problematic for these students to try and visit their universities of interest to make a final decision. That’s where social media can help. The <a href="https://www.internationalstudentsurvey.com/international-student-survey-2017/">2017 International Student Survey report</a> shows the significant role social media plays for many students choosing a university.</p>
<p>Recently, universities have started using social media not just for prospective students and their parents, but also for receiving enrolment offers. One such example is the <a href="https://www.bradford.ac.uk/external/">University of Bradford</a>, where students can use Facebook to get offers during clearing time. This improves students’ experience of the clearing process, <a href="https://university.which.co.uk/advice/clearing-results-day/clearing-2013-ucas-applying-whats-it-like">which can sometimes feel like</a> “an emotional roller-coaster”.</p>
<p>But while many young people view online communications as trustworthy and reliable, in the age of fake news, <a href="https://theconversation.com/everything-you-need-to-know-about-fake-degrees-and-the-universities-awarding-them-71132">fake universities and fake degrees</a>, students must also be wary of <a href="https://www.springer.com/gp/book/9783319524580">fake social media accounts</a>, that could easily sway their decisions. </p>
<p>So while students and their parents can get valuable insights online, they should always remember to look for verified accounts on Facebook and Twitter. These can usually be found on universities’ pages, together with the most accurate and up-to-date information about tuition fees and courses. </p>
<p>Going to university can be one of the most exciting experiences of a young person’s life. And it’s clear that social media now makes it easier than ever before to make a well-informed, life-changing decision. So for prospective students, choose wisely and enjoy the next stage in your life, wherever you might end up.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/101282/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Students across the world are using social media to research and choose their university.Elvira Ismagilova, Lecturer in Marketing, University of BradfordDaniele Doneddu, Senior Lecturer School of Management, Swansea UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/856232017-10-18T12:14:31Z2017-10-18T12:14:31ZWhy a battle for euro clearing is raging against the backdrop of Brexit<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190373/original/file-20171016-31008-1hdsetq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/london-england-panoramic-skyline-view-bank-710558962?src=piwyDfjbcWj5Qne6CuPZ2Q-4-88">Zoltan Gabor</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>While talks about the nature of the UK’s departure from the European Union stumble on, the loss of euro clearing from London is often touted as a potential dramatic effect of Brexit. But what exactly is at stake here? Who loses if <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/oct/09/frankfurt-euro-clearing-uk-deutsche-borse-london-brexit">the industry does relocate to Frankfurt</a> or elsewhere – and how likely is that to happen?</p>
<p>To understand clearing you can think of it like a High Street bank. The local branch accepts deposits from savers and provides loans to borrowers. In effect, it moves money from one party to another. In common parlance, the bank is a middleman in the transaction; in banking terminology, it is a financial intermediary. </p>
<p>This is a key role in the economy: transferring assets from one person to another – and taking a fee from both ends most likely. In the financial markets, clearing performs a similar role by connecting the sellers with the buyers of financial products. Unlike brokers, however, the clearing process sorts out the administration involved in the transaction. </p>
<p>Clearing houses manage or “clear” the payments associated with financial trades. They are found in futures exchanges – where traders haggle over the price of contracts for things like precious metals and natural gas to be delivered months down the line. Clearing houses then process the transactions at the end of each trading session.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190581/original/file-20171017-30394-zks4fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190581/original/file-20171017-30394-zks4fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190581/original/file-20171017-30394-zks4fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190581/original/file-20171017-30394-zks4fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190581/original/file-20171017-30394-zks4fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190581/original/file-20171017-30394-zks4fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190581/original/file-20171017-30394-zks4fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190581/original/file-20171017-30394-zks4fv.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Behind the trades.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/forex-market-charts-on-computer-display-728150455?src=1zaW-FcfeVnkG_em1y0cdA-1-9">autsawin uttisin/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Keeping the money flowing</h2>
<p>When a sale is agreed, members of the clearing house will deposit a small amount of the overall sum with it. This is known as a margin and represents a promise to pay the remainder at a later date. This means that clearing houses effectively act as buyers and sellers on behalf of institutions such as investment banks. They earn fees by managing the risks of a default that come with each transaction. </p>
<p>You can think of it a bit like the High Street bank again. You don’t handle (or even notice) the transfer of money from your savings account to a mortgage borrower, but you do recoup some of the fee in the form of interest, and you are protected from the borrower failing to pay the money back. </p>
<p>Euro clearing specifically refers to the settlement of trades in financial products which are based on the prices of bonds, currencies or interest rates which are denominated in euros. The City of London is a world leader in euro clearing, settling foreign exchange deals worth around a €1 trillion every day. New York by comparison, accounts for about €400 billion. </p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190582/original/file-20171017-30428-8xhv5q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190582/original/file-20171017-30428-8xhv5q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190582/original/file-20171017-30428-8xhv5q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190582/original/file-20171017-30428-8xhv5q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190582/original/file-20171017-30428-8xhv5q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190582/original/file-20171017-30428-8xhv5q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190582/original/file-20171017-30428-8xhv5q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190582/original/file-20171017-30428-8xhv5q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Hung out to dry?</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/59937401@N07/5857336815/in/photolist-9VAoaM-9DSM8s-c4dg2C-51okhB-9EbDpi-51sx9f-9bqD5G-569wMG-5TriEi-9DPY4z-5Trf3X-5Tvsgb-9VAmgj-5BMHxC-9VzTJL-9VzDbs-9Vyc8k-6NfreC-9bnqCZ-bMZLjF-4bF9WJ-a31XZW-9DSPrY-9DSSfw-3kNiDE-9DQ55F-bKPeXv-5T9uZ1-oCRinB-5TopvB-9EbvWM-5T58uc-9EeDeQ-3kHRtp-9VA6L5-4SVDTx-9VxR7X-9Vx3re-9Vxsin-9DPWqK-9VwK58-q6Fb3W-5uwVAN-3kNizy-5f74Fx-jHyzGR-9EeENA-a2YEtp-9T7rCH-dWv9nG">Images Money/Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Losing its sheen</h2>
<p>That means a lot of people and their families owe at least part of their livelihoods to the industry. According to the London Stock Exchange, <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2016/sep/23/100000-clearing-jobs-at-risk-from-brexit-vote-stock-exchange-chief">at least 100,000 jobs across the UK</a> are associated with clearing transactions denominated in euros. The industry employs managers, compliance experts, middle office analysts and back office support teams throughout the country. </p>
<p>If London were to lose some of its clearing houses to the EU, it would be a little like the BBC moving <a href="http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/bbc-move-finally-put-accent-8179917%5D">some of its operations to Salford</a>, as it did recently. In some instances, staff were reluctant to move to the North. Similarly, a knock-on effect for the clearing market is likely to include some <a href="http://uk.businessinsider.com/cfa-institute-survey-eu-nationals-uk-financial-services-2017-10">financial services jobs leaving the City</a> and reducing its overall attractiveness as a global financial centre. Others may well be reluctant to make the move. </p>
<p>Ultimately, it depends on how finance houses view Brexit. There is an argument to suggest they should consider a move to the EU anyway. If the industry were to shift away from London, <a href="http://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/article-4600570/Brussels-wants-London-s-euro-clearing-houses-inside-EU.html">around £80 billion</a> worth of revenue for the City would be at stake.</p>
<figure class="align-center zoomable">
<a href="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190777/original/file-20171018-32338-htmmzi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=1000&fit=clip"><img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190777/original/file-20171018-32338-htmmzi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/190777/original/file-20171018-32338-htmmzi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190777/original/file-20171018-32338-htmmzi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190777/original/file-20171018-32338-htmmzi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190777/original/file-20171018-32338-htmmzi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190777/original/file-20171018-32338-htmmzi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/190777/original/file-20171018-32338-htmmzi.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px"></a>
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Do all roads lead to Germany?</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.shutterstock.com/image-photo/frankfurt-main-germany-654450826?src=DVTGNqXxT77gv2a0qztWzw-1-68">sevenMaps7/Shutterstock</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>That helps us to understand why there is so much hand-wringing about the potential shift of euro clearing activities from London to Frankfurt as a consequence of Brexit. <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/jun/23/london-ecb-euro-clearing-brexit-european-central-bank">The EU believes</a> that relocating euro clearing to the eurozone would allow for greater regulatory oversight, systemic risk management and thus financial stability. </p>
<p>It seems the European Securities and Markets Authority (ESMA), which oversees clearing houses, will play an important role. It could, for example, impose tougher rules on clearing houses in London or even suggest openly that they relocate to Frankfurt. The European Central Bank <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/8888e560-57e5-11e7-9fed-c19e2700005f">has recently tabled</a> similar suggestions. </p>
<p>It is worth noting, however, that a shift from London to Frankfurt is not straightforward. It can be argued that no single EU city currently has the capacity to absorb the volume of clearing that London undertakes each day. This may actually increase the risk of financial instability by fragmenting the industry, leaving some firms to operate in the City whilst others relocate to Frankfurt or elsewhere. </p>
<p>Also, dollar-denominated clearing – which at around $2 trillion a day is even larger than euro clearing – shows no sign of leaving London, which will likely act as a strong draw for the rest of the industry to stay put. Whatever the push and pull factors, the finer details (and even the broad brush parameters) of Brexit are still to be hammered out. Don’t be surprised, then, if euro clearing, and the wealth and jobs it represents, become pawns in a bigger game.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/85623/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Shabbir Dastgir does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Should we care about the loss of an industry that normally lives in the shadows?Shabbir Dastgir, Senior Lecturer in Economics, University of HuddersfieldLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/824602017-08-16T08:40:26Z2017-08-16T08:40:26ZGoing through university clearing? Then make sure you do these four things<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/181961/original/file-20170814-28487-rr9o07.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>Every year, in August, thousands of students in the UK receive their A-level results and discover whether or not they have got the marks needed to take up a place at their chosen university. </p>
<p>If they fail to make the grade – or exceed them – students telephone university clearing centres, to try and find a more suitable course. Twenty years ago, getting a place through “clearing” was seen as something of a failure. Now it is not. Not only are grades often higher in clearing than the original prospectus listing, but students can “adjust” their offer to secure a better place. </p>
<p>For the students making these calls, it can often be a nerve wracking time, filled with unknowns and uncertain outcomes. So to try and find out what makes these calls a success, we transcribed and <a href="https://www.ulster.ac.uk/ipra/conference-details/plenary-speakers">analysed 300 calls</a> at a clearing contact centre last summer. We looked at how people spoke on these calls, as well as what they said. We were able to identify common patterns in the way the calls unfolded and what made a difference to the final outcome.</p>
<p>So to try and make things a little easier if you are going through clearing, we’ve put together some <a href="https://twitter.com/LizStokoe?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor">tips based on our analysis</a>.</p>
<figure>
<iframe width="440" height="260" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/G4UZDdHp4F0?wmode=transparent&start=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen=""></iframe>
</figure>
<h2>1. Do your research</h2>
<p>Clearing may seem like a mad dash to the finish, but while there is an element of time pressure in trying to get on a course at a university of your choice, it’s still worth taking time to research which universities or courses to apply for. </p>
<p>It was revealed in our research that university websites are updated more rapidly than <a href="https://www.ucas.com/">UCAS’s</a>, so prepare for your call by checking the grade requirements and spaces beforehand. </p>
<p>If you have your heart set on a particular university, make a list of all the available courses you would be willing to study at that institution. Flexibility will help you, but make sure it’s a course you actually want to do as it’s a big commitment.</p>
<h2>2. Know who’s who</h2>
<p>It’s also worth having a look at who the key members of staff are in your relevant department or subject area. Our research showed that when students’ grades did not meet the requirements, they sometimes asked to be transferred to the relevant department – but for these students, just asking to be transferred did not always work. </p>
<p>We found that having the name of the programme director or admissions tutor for the course was more likely to result in a transfer. So make sure you look these up ahead of phoning, and have these names to hand throughout the call.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/181962/original/file-20170814-28430-19vzy8.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/181962/original/file-20170814-28430-19vzy8.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181962/original/file-20170814-28430-19vzy8.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181962/original/file-20170814-28430-19vzy8.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=363&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181962/original/file-20170814-28430-19vzy8.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=456&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181962/original/file-20170814-28430-19vzy8.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=456&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/181962/original/file-20170814-28430-19vzy8.jpeg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=456&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Don’t be clueless when it comes to clearing.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Pexels.</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>3. Have all your information ready</h2>
<p>When you phone a clearing centre, make sure you are in a quiet place where you can concentrate. Have your laptop, tablet or computer in front of you, and pen and paper by your side to scribble down any last minute notes. Make sure you have all your grades clearly written out so you can refer back to them at a moment’s glance. </p>
<p>As well as doing this, make sure you have any other relevant information to hand from the offset. This could include details of extenuating circumstances surrounding your A-level performance – as this might change what universities will offer. </p>
<p>Our research showed that call takers at clearing lines don’t know about these circumstances, and don’t ask about them either. So if you don’t mention them, the call will close without you maximising your chances of an offer. And remember that unless you have nominated them on your UCAS form, your parents cannot call on your behalf.</p>
<h2>4. Don’t waste time</h2>
<p>In our research, we saw a number of instances where students made repeat calls – presumably to try and speak to a different call taker – to see if they could get a place that way. But our analysis showed that repeat calling simply wasted everyone’s time – slowing down call takers and other callers. In the calls we analysed, there wasn’t one case where repeat calling produced an offer when the original call did not. </p>
<p>The take home lesson here is to understand that you only get one chance to call a university clearing helpline – so make sure it counts. It’s also worth knowing that many university clearing lines are open well into the evening, and even the week following results day so don’t feel disheartened if you can’t get through when you first call – lines are likely to be busy. Be patient but persistent and you’ll get through eventually.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/82460/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>The research was funded by Loughborough University.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Elliott Hoey does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Clearing advice from the experts.Elizabeth Stokoe, Professor of Social Interaction, Loughborough UniversityElliott Hoey, Doctoral student in linguistics, Max Planck Institute for PsycholinguisticsLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/640812016-08-19T10:06:57Z2016-08-19T10:06:57ZUniversity clearing: a view for and against<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134486/original/image-20160817-3571-1p47gz4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Can clearing can give you a second chance to decide what you want to study?</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">ImageFlow/Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>A-level results day sees highs and lows for many thousands of students across the country waiting to receive their grades. For every jubilant smile relieved to have secured a place at university, there is also the anxious grimace of the student who hasn’t quite made the grade. </p>
<p>Last year <a href="https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/28-aug-overview-all.pdf">41,530 students went into clearing</a> – the process universities use to fill spaces they have left on courses with those who didn’t make it into their first choice – meaning <a href="https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/28-aug-overview-all.pdf">roughly 10%</a> of all students found their way to university this way. But does the system actually work? </p>
<p>Below, two experts give their thoughts on the highs and lows of the clearing system:</p>
<h2>‘The current system needs reforming’</h2>
<p><em>Elizabeth Houghton is a PhD candidate at Lancaster University, whose research looks at how “marketised” higher education can impact student choice</em></p>
<p>The advice around clearing is consistently framed as “don’t panic” – but with <a href="http://www.suttontrust.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/12/Earnings-by-Degrees-REPORT.pdf">increasing evidence</a> of the difference in job prospects and salaries of graduates from different ranks of universities – it is easy to understand why a sudden change could come as a shock to the system. </p>
<p>The reality of the university admissions system is that students must sell themselves to universities, but universities also need to sell themselves to students. And while clearing phone lines are often presented as “helplines”, they are also in reality sales lines.</p>
<p>The onus is on applicants to scramble for places in a “highly competitive environment” when universities actually need students – and the revenue they bring. Especially now the <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2015/aug/13/more-calls-more-competition-inside-sussex-university-clearing-hub">cap on student numbers is off</a>. For some universities clearing is one way to bump up intake and income. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134493/original/image-20160817-3578-rblsn9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134493/original/image-20160817-3578-rblsn9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=451&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134493/original/image-20160817-3578-rblsn9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=451&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134493/original/image-20160817-3578-rblsn9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=451&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134493/original/image-20160817-3578-rblsn9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=567&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134493/original/image-20160817-3578-rblsn9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=567&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134493/original/image-20160817-3578-rblsn9.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=567&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Many university clearing centres are staffed by current students.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">wavebreakmedia/Shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Instead of the current system, we need to develop an effective admissions policy that gives students the chance to apply to university with the most important information: their grades. This reformed system would follow the logic of clearing, and give students the chance to apply for university <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-33861672">after they have received their grades</a> – taking some of the panic out of the process. </p>
<p>But it is clear we are still someway off that point, given the way clearing currently operates. This raises some timely questions for anyone serious about the need for student choice in higher education – whether it operates in market terms of not. </p>
<h2>“Clearing is a major asset to students”</h2>
<p><em>Bhavik Patel is a biochemist at the University of Brighton, who came through clearing to study at the university</em></p>
<p>I know better than most about the clearing process and have seen firsthand
how the experience has <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/2016/08/08/ucas-clearing-a-level-results-day-myths-and-reality/">changed dramatically</a> over the years. When I went through clearing ten years ago, it was nerve-racking and you didn’t know how to approach universities. </p>
<p>Back then, it was often shrouded in a dogma of failure. For universities, being in clearing was seen as a sign of weakness, that they were unable to fill course spaces. But now, clearing is a major asset to students.</p>
<p>So as <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/education/2016/aug/16/pick-a-course-that-gives-you-the-best-chance-of-success-in-clearing">clearing</a> comes around again this year, students should be seeing it as an opportunity, not a setback. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134488/original/image-20160817-3573-172qjol.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134488/original/image-20160817-3573-172qjol.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134488/original/image-20160817-3573-172qjol.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134488/original/image-20160817-3573-172qjol.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134488/original/image-20160817-3573-172qjol.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134488/original/image-20160817-3573-172qjol.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134488/original/image-20160817-3573-172qjol.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Clearing shouldn’t be viewed as a second rate process.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Matej Kastelic/shutterstock</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>It provided me with a second chance in life and made me more focused. It made me determined to prove I was better than the grades. This determination led to be winning the GlaxoSmithKline Emerging Scientist of the Year Award. And in 2015 I won the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Science Award, which is presented to a scientist with a proven record of independent research and published work that shows outstanding promise – not bad for someone who didn’t make the grades.</p>
<p>My career has seen me travel to different countries working with some of the top names in science. Without clearing, none of this would have happened. It has truly helped to shape me into the scientist I am now.</p>
<p>From being a process where students would be judged, clearing is now the norm and has become a vibrant process of opportunity, where students may even obtain places on courses at universities they seldom felt they could achieve.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/64081/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Elizabeth Houghton receives funding from the Economic and Social Research Council. She is affiliated with the Higher Education Quality Assurance Agency and is a member of the Labour Party.</span></em></p><p class="fine-print"><em><span>Bhavik Patel does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Does the university clearing system work?Elizabeth Houghton, PhD candidate in Sociology, Lancaster UniversityBhavik Patel, Reader in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences, University of BrightonLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/640352016-08-18T10:26:51Z2016-08-18T10:26:51ZHere’s what to do if you’re disappointed with your A-level results<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134448/original/image-20160817-3592-cyrnt4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">'OMG, I've failed'.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Ana Ado/Shutterstock</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>The saying goes “<a href="https://theconversation.com/is-it-true-that-what-doesnt-kill-us-makes-us-stronger-63376">what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger</a>”, and while that may well be the case, you still need to have the right mindset to turn failure into success – especially on exam results day. </p>
<p>This means rather than being overwhelmed by a challenge, you need to find a way to overcome it and learn from the experience so you can succeed in the future. This builds what psychologists call “<a href="https://theconversation.com/winning-a-penalty-shootout-takes-mental-toughness-luckily-that-can-be-taught-24553">mental toughness</a>”, which basically means that you are able to deal with challenges, pressure, and competition irrespective of prevailing circumstances. </p>
<p>People with mental toughness bounce back after a disappointment and see failure as a challenge and a learning opportunity, rather than a setback. The good news is <a href="http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17509840802705938">mental toughness can be learned</a> through experience, so there’s no better time to start than on exam results day – when mental toughness will help you get through the day and help you to assess your future options if you haven’t done as well as you expected.</p>
<h2>Time for self reflection</h2>
<p>You first need to reflect on why you missed the grades. Look at what went wrong and how you might learn from that. <a href="http://qz.com/757875/mo-farahs-third-gold-medal-is-a-win-for-multicultural-britain/">Think about Mo Farah in the Olympics 10,000 metre final</a>. He fell badly and it could have cost him the gold medal. But he got back up, put it behind him and carried on – eventually winning the race. </p>
<p>Don’t dwell on the “failure”. Work out what went wrong, put it to one side, and then start to look forwards. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134449/original/image-20160817-3602-120daw7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134449/original/image-20160817-3602-120daw7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=489&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134449/original/image-20160817-3602-120daw7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=489&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134449/original/image-20160817-3602-120daw7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=489&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134449/original/image-20160817-3602-120daw7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=614&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134449/original/image-20160817-3602-120daw7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=614&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134449/original/image-20160817-3602-120daw7.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=614&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">I have so much to do today, I will need to meditate for twice as long – so said Gandhi.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Almeida_Júnior_-_Moça_com_Livro.jpg">Jose Ferraz de Almeida Júnior//wikimedia commons</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>It’s good to talk</h2>
<p>However, the worst thing you can do is sweep a bad result under the carpet. Once you’ve worked out where you think you went wrong, it’s important to discuss what’s happened and why. </p>
<p>It’s natural to feel nervous about the future, especially if things haven’t quite worked out how you imagined, and chatting these thoughts and fears through with someone close to you can really help to take a some of the weight off your mind. </p>
<p>Parents, this is where you can step in and encourage your child to open up and let them know you are still there for them.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134454/original/image-20160817-3573-10hi8p0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134454/original/image-20160817-3573-10hi8p0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134454/original/image-20160817-3573-10hi8p0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134454/original/image-20160817-3573-10hi8p0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134454/original/image-20160817-3573-10hi8p0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134454/original/image-20160817-3573-10hi8p0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134454/original/image-20160817-3573-10hi8p0.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Trusted opinions can give invaluable support.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/127107506@N02/15106281058/in/photolist-p1TD4G-aq8ayp-mYdYma-7mK27x-FpYRb-7Huo5b-56xAhe-qNgikS-4DPdh2-b5vRDr-gCTts-BpQFk-4srdeK-6mPLZn-DREYB-58oHyn-eWqsUR-6Novsn-ftkikH-aW3ZF2-eyoUtV-FT4GQK-eysk6G-6TAeQ7-eysiV1-eyrZ9C-eys2oN-eyoRek-eyp35e-eypdir-eyoYhx-eyoVJR-eyoMTa-eys79m-eyp1LR-eyp6x2-eypfAt-eyrVEY-5Qp6zP-eypc8v-eys3w9-eyp5jx-eyoLPz-eys9L9-eyrTmq-eyp8xX-eypeDP-5nA6NP-eysoeG-eypf5V">Moiggi Interactive//Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/">CC BY-NC</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Don’t be overwhelmed by emotion</h2>
<p>It’s hard not to panic when your social media feeds are full of excited friends off to their first choice of uni. Results day is a big deal, but wallowing in emotion will affect your ability to make all those important decisions yet to come. </p>
<p>Speak to sensible people around you for practical advice and try to think positively. It might feel like everything rests on your grades but actually many universities look at the whole person. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134463/original/image-20160817-3597-5c1yyh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134463/original/image-20160817-3597-5c1yyh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134463/original/image-20160817-3597-5c1yyh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134463/original/image-20160817-3597-5c1yyh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=416&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134463/original/image-20160817-3597-5c1yyh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=523&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134463/original/image-20160817-3597-5c1yyh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=523&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134463/original/image-20160817-3597-5c1yyh.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=523&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">At times it pays to ditch social media.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:A_calm_moment_at_lake.jpg">Patrik Jones//Wikimedia Commons</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>But don’t trivialise</h2>
<p>This might be the first major failure you’ve experienced and with emotions running high it is easy to feel like this is the end of the world. Parents can help here by remembering the importance of taking the experience seriously without making things worse. </p>
<p>At this point it might be good to talk about how far you’ve come and how much there is still left to achieve. Not only is this good for confidence all round, but it could also help formulate some interview answers when you speak to universities. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134468/original/image-20160817-3583-5mwnz4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134468/original/image-20160817-3583-5mwnz4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134468/original/image-20160817-3583-5mwnz4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134468/original/image-20160817-3583-5mwnz4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=399&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134468/original/image-20160817-3583-5mwnz4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134468/original/image-20160817-3583-5mwnz4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134468/original/image-20160817-3583-5mwnz4.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=501&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The right path might not be immediately obvious.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/richardleonard/104835400/in/photolist-agiUU-3b2oHR-bz1VLS-a7BCA4-q3Qptb-4vmBfp-5CqLzF-eDg1NS-aF11rB-4ZFQDd-DoS3-iRLcB-6oyCaL-8bEnwt-gwjmB-5tnnY-oFPUQw-6PR9BQ-a6hu9C-5CqLLn-nuarvw-29Pqiu-4B7PTE-bVL95E-dBG7v-biqqB-dBbhvV-7YX3ZD-5hjGS1-5CwTuj-aAk6Ef-aNzUv-dDqjkZ-HkV91-kqYiT-pv7nEe-91pcVH-nKNmpE-72U3aV-7YZL2B-w2E7u-8obtZc-HF1k-7aioFT-ozz6Rf-6oVqJY-6ousMe-6U5Tu6-ecXPrv-iRLeF">Richard Leonard//flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Work out your strengths</h2>
<p>Think about other achievements which show commitment and success, such as playing an instrument, being in a sports team, having a part-time job. Write them down and use them when you speak to universities. </p>
<p>If you’d been predicted high grades but were crippled by nerves on exam day, you’ve obviously got some academic ability and exams only provide a snapshot. Figure out what your strengths are and what makes you stand out against your peers.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134472/original/image-20160817-3602-hr9eb8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134472/original/image-20160817-3602-hr9eb8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134472/original/image-20160817-3602-hr9eb8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134472/original/image-20160817-3602-hr9eb8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=400&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134472/original/image-20160817-3602-hr9eb8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134472/original/image-20160817-3602-hr9eb8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134472/original/image-20160817-3602-hr9eb8.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=503&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Achievement, focus and dedication have diverse sources.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/hernanpc/23218164373/in/photolist-BnHamR-6x6CnY-ebNcEu-8kLvG5-doD1h2-s6r267-qaW2ab-8vw2Hj-frjSPF-tfNyzr-71d9vB-8vsCQR-dZ1K3a-qSRMd6-99VR7k-pfbnAB-8vwHnS-saT4m2-5qLiGA-9YpM12-et2ViJ-dd7MEk-jReTdF-cSCK9m-pbHKSD-8woHHf-bZiYqj-9xtoe3-oLPrGG-ef8B82-6rknAX-cegLH-sraQGW-eNQ2vu-47ks3X-hmii6e-4p4sUA-hsGCHD-8vtyRx-sdGQ6j-4UJwMq-jWRiVC-k5JM9b-qaqXgK-n5KB9K-wbbG1g-cfyXGq-m796hX-G7GHzo-bUj2u8">Hernán Piñera//flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Think outside the box</h2>
<p>You may feel helpless but it’s important to use your time wisely and try and figure out some alternative options. If you’ve fixated on one particular university, does it offer other courses, or is there another university which has a similar feel? </p>
<p>If it’s all about the course, where else offers that programme or can you explore alternative routes like foundation degrees? The process of school, exams and results can feel like a treadmill and clearing can be an opportunity to step off and change direction. </p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134459/original/image-20160817-3611-1ce58x5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134459/original/image-20160817-3611-1ce58x5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=428&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134459/original/image-20160817-3611-1ce58x5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=428&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134459/original/image-20160817-3611-1ce58x5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=428&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134459/original/image-20160817-3611-1ce58x5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=538&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134459/original/image-20160817-3611-1ce58x5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=538&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134459/original/image-20160817-3611-1ce58x5.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=538&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Lateral thinking often holds the key.</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/m0php/2321945037/in/photolist-4xbzn8-3fCzD8-afck5b-rozGfx-b8yAsK-GwkSXN-sATrK-hBXwSj-bSsKV6-q6Y2eP-oKwmZF-nFA2Z9-q4H5KA-546YSJ-71o1ZB-7RWaZ3-4LDadR-dxwaRr-dU4BRD-bPEMQc-qkSpGL-dgLNXi-pWrdqA-mVTyN-ggc3Pt-pW8qre-8QJjwj-cAgfZd-9YvBgo-axenEm-6v3fPX-rr7qQ5-pZauL1-axCR8j-cnhaJ7-6eKrFM-bDWKtm-9LWYEY-5AgXGH-nu1BCq-cykc15-d1NSAd-8f9dzb-6fZL7K-nDqCbS-TpVod-9yDDPg-9z12oJ-ax2qse-3jUG5Z">Craig Roday//Flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/">CC BY-NC-ND</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Do lunch …</h2>
<p>Or dinner, or a film. Don’t stew at home alone all day as your friends post happy pictures on social media. Plan something low key but positive for the day like a meal at a favourite restaurant with your family – that way you can still have a nice time regardless of the results. </p>
<p>This will also give you a chance to take your mind off things and unwind a bit after the stress of the last few days.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134464/original/image-20160817-3578-ndl3o6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/134464/original/image-20160817-3578-ndl3o6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134464/original/image-20160817-3578-ndl3o6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134464/original/image-20160817-3578-ndl3o6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=450&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134464/original/image-20160817-3578-ndl3o6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134464/original/image-20160817-3578-ndl3o6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/134464/original/image-20160817-3578-ndl3o6.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=566&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption"></span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/streetmatt/15774169310/in/photolist-q2UJYo-8saPSr-a8zYco-9pmBT3-iQi928-71n9nG-GTnDjV-a8x6Sp-obkM9p-95LTxK-4NFf3c-uxoiUH-7DzYjT-vmauK-6yAm22-rBARi7-8vHxAq-8EPNNU-mQ1SY8-cXbGhs-aKL9x-9gwbj6-4AT5Np-p18huE-fj84n7-49MD7D-pbLprR-fiPTYv-6HNRj7-5zQeaX-oXoM7E-mizYr-5Wd4Wo-51WSzy-6Jcese-4G1m2v-kW4Xjv-4iaPHz-rrPjMw-jb65e-dUVchc-jhz8BU-8DvGqm-296eqv-5GRLYo-no5Pyn-2n4TYS-fKWK3J-bagPnt-kKWpV1">Matthew G//flickr</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/">CC BY</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<h2>Realise how far you’ve come</h2>
<p>If you’re struggling to get past your disappointment, think back to when you were doing your GCSEs – maybe even read an essay you wrote back then. See how far you have come. I get my students to keep one of their first year essays then re-read it in class in their final year. They cannot believe how much they’ve improved. </p>
<p>Your A-levels are a big leap from GCSEs and your degree is another step further. As hard as it feels now, once you are at university and having an amazing time this day won’t feel nearly as painful. Just make sure you learn from the experience and build that mental toughness.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/64035/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Myfanwy Bugler does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Not everyone will be celebrating this results day, so here’s a few words of advice for both students and parents, to help put things into perspective.Myfanwy Bugler, Lecturer of Psychology, University of HullLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/456332015-08-13T05:37:02Z2015-08-13T05:37:02ZNow universities can accept as many students as they want, will there be a free-for-all in clearing?<p>Another university admissions cycle is reaching its climax with A-level results envelopes opening, university places confirmed and the <a href="https://www.ucas.com/ucas/undergraduate/apply-and-track/results/no-offers-use-clearing">clearing process</a> for those who did better or worse than they’d hoped kicking into action. Amid all this, the government is having a third go at creating a real market in higher education.</p>
<p>Controls on the number of students that institutions can admit have been completely <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/undergraduate-numbers-cap-to-be-abolished-osborne/2009667.article">removed from this September</a>, opening up the prospect of a free-for-all. But the failure to create a variable tuition fees regime with some universities charging more than others and the modest impact of a partial lifting of the cap on student numbers, suggests that the government’s latest move may not be the game-changer that supporters of a market in higher education hope for – and which <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/aug/05/tuition-fees-students">its critics</a> fear.</p>
<p>The market has always been present in higher education in England in some form, with students always free to choose which universities to apply to, and universities equally free to chose which applications to accept. But since the <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-11677862">former coalition government’s 2010-11 reforms</a> which tripled English tuition fees from a maximum of £3,000 to £9,000 from 2012, market behaviours and market mentalities now suffuse higher education. The attention paid to, and resources spent on, <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/branding-wise-its-pound-foolish/418600.article">branding</a> is one example. </p>
<h2>In search of the market</h2>
<p>Yet in another sense, the market still hasn’t fully arrived. Originally, the hope of the tuition fee reforms was that institutions would choose to vary their fees (£9,000 is only a cap), producing a market in terms of “prices”. That didn’t happen. <a href="http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/11051519/More-students-charged-maximum-9000-tuition-fees.html">Most</a> have chosen to charge the maximum, or close to it. </p>
<p>The government tried to free up the market by <a href="http://www.hepi.ac.uk/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Clean-copy-of-SNC-paper1.pdf">partially removing the student number cap</a>, allowing institutions to recruit as many “good” students as they wanted – initially those with A grades at A-level for 2012-13 and then those with A and B grades for 2013-14. Before this, the number of students each university could accept was regulated by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). This produced modest changes in the distribution of students, as a few Russell Group universities such as <a href="https://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/revealed-winners-and-losers-in-student-numbers-game/2010734.article">Bristol</a> decided to expand. </p>
<p>As the student numbers cap now disappears completely, they will <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/higher-education-network/2015/mar/18/almost-half-of-english-universities-plan-to-recruit-more-students-after-cap-is-lifted">be joined by others</a> – although not Oxford or Cambridge. But there are several reasons for caution. </p>
<p>It is far from clear that, on aggregate, there is significant unmet demand for more students to attend university. There could be a one-off blip this year if students abandon gap-year plans and start university a year earlier in order to <a href="https://theconversation.com/abolishing-student-grants-and-raising-fees-above-9-000-heaps-more-debt-on-poorest-students-44485">benefit from maintenance grants</a>, which George Osborne announced in his latest budget will be replaced by loans from September 2016. But only a minority of students are eligible for these maintenance grants. </p>
<h2>Will demand hold up?</h2>
<p>Some universities have been struggling to fill their places. According to <a href="https://www.ucas.com/sites/default/files/2014-undergraduate-end-of-cycle-report.pdf">a report</a> by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) on last year’s admissions cycle, 30 larger universities were still recruiting at 15% or more below their 2011 intakes.</p>
<p>At the same time, despite major political efforts to deny that higher fees have had any impact on demand, the rapid growth of the previous decade has been curbed. Although total applications for 2015-16 are up 1% on a like-for-like basis compared with last year, they are still 16,000 fewer than in 2011, the year before the fees increase. </p>
<p>The big increase has been in the number of applications from outside the European Union, up by more than a third over the same period, according to UCAS. But the number of traditional applicants, young adults with A-levels, <a href="http://www.universitiesuk.ac.uk/highereducation/Documents/2012/PatternsAndTrendsinUKHigherEducation2012.pdf">is set to decline</a>. In fact, the market in A-level applicants is already close to saturation, with supply and demand close to balance. The major growth in the future will be in applicants with non-A-level qualifications, mainly BTEC awards.</p>
<h2>Different concerns across the sector</h2>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/91473/original/image-20150811-14995-i4mkdq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/91473/original/image-20150811-14995-i4mkdq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/91473/original/image-20150811-14995-i4mkdq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/91473/original/image-20150811-14995-i4mkdq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/91473/original/image-20150811-14995-i4mkdq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/91473/original/image-20150811-14995-i4mkdq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/91473/original/image-20150811-14995-i4mkdq.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1130&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Waiting for new hordes?</span>
<span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/punting/15011616170/sizes/l">Scudamore's Punting Company/flickr.com</a>, <a class="license" href="http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/">CC BY-SA</a></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>The incentives for individual universities to expand play out in different ways. Russell Group universities have to balance the impact of higher student numbers on the capacity of their academic staff to compete in an increasingly cutthroat global competition for research reputation – and resources. </p>
<p>A little-recognised fact is that the most research-intensive universities are now the most dependent on direct public funding, for research and also high-cost subjects – mainly in the sciences. This <a href="https://theconversation.com/explainer-how-much-state-funding-do-universities-get-39351">direct funding</a> via HEFCE has already been cut – and <a href="https://theconversation.com/hard-evidence-are-universities-strapped-for-cash-45252">will be cut again</a> as the government rolls out its austerity programme. </p>
<p>This might push Russell Group universities towards maximising their fee income by recruiting more students. But it is a delicate balance of advantages and disadvantages.</p>
<p>For teaching-oriented institutions, the balance is different but equally delicate. Some of the big urban former polytechnics suffered most from the 2010-11 reforms and many are still recruiting 15% or more below their 2011 intakes. They may be tempted to increase intakes, if they can. </p>
<p>In the longer term, of course, the stagnation in the number of traditional A-level candidates and growth in applicants with BTEC and other qualifications may ride to their rescue – but at the same time make things more difficult for middle-ranked universities. But they have to watch the impact of higher student numbers on their league table positions, now seen as crucial to success in a system dominated by market behaviours even if market mechanisms are creaking. </p>
<p>Pile-them-high does not seem a sound strategy. And, in common with all universities, they have to worry about the impact of more students on the now ubiquitous concern about <a href="https://theconversation.com/as-they-compete-to-lay-on-the-best-student-experience-universities-musnt-forget-the-academic-one-too-45197">their “student experience”</a>. </p>
<p>Overall, with universities in cautious mood, the final lifting of the student numbers cap is more likely to lead to fine-tuning than big changes in the pattern of clearing as it gets under way.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/45633/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Peter Scott does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>The government is having a third try at creating a market in English higher education by abolishing student number controls.Peter Scott, Professor of Higher Education Studies, UCLLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/302972014-08-15T05:11:54Z2014-08-15T05:11:54ZTen pieces of advice on clearing from an admissions tutor<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/56401/original/rydgh599-1407936160.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">There are blue skies at the end of Clearing.</span> <span class="attribution"><a class="source" href="http://www.shutterstock.com/pic-208893679/stock-photo-asian-man-sleeping-on-the-table-with-laptop-at-home.html?src=XpfxpGYetqipWuwl-iONhg-4-47">Man and laptop via Dean Drobot/Shutterstock</a></span></figcaption></figure><p>You’ve got your A Level results and things are not how you imagined they would be. Maybe you didn’t do as well as you thought you would. Or maybe you didn’t think you wanted to go to university but now you’ve got results which make that a real possibility. The chances are that you haven’t given Plan B much consideration. </p>
<p>Never fear, you are about to enter the realm of clearing, where courses with places available are on the lookout for keen, bright students to fill them. Read up about the <a href="http://www.ucas.com/how-it-all-works/undergraduate/results/if-you-have-no-offers">clearing process on the UCAS website</a> and then …</p>
<h2>Do</h2>
<ol>
<li><p>Involve your parents (or a favourite teacher, they’ll still want the best for you and can offer good advice) in a calm discussion about all the options open to you. All of them. Even not going to university this year. It may feel like a crisis if you didn’t get the grades you needed but it’s not the end of the world. Show this list to your parents, you are not the only person in this situation and it’s by no means a disaster.</p></li>
<li><p>Consider and research courses with slightly different titles related to your interests. There are some great courses out there. University helplines can really help if you tell them about your interests and grades. Start with the university you originally applied to if you’re short of the right grades.</p></li>
<li><p>Before you phone a course to discuss a place do the research – read the course information on their website – all of it! Why didn’t you apply there in the first place? What contribution will you make to the course? They’ll want to know that you’re keen, interested and likely to turn up and work hard. Be ready to ask some questions of them, about the course or subject, it will show you’re interested.</p></li>
<li><p>Be honest and be yourself on the phone. Most staff will want a chat to find out about you, they will want you to succeed and be an asset to their course and contribute to the life of the university. Tell them about your interests outside your academic subject. Think of it as having a conversation or a friendly chat.</p></li>
<li><p>Find a quiet place to make the call, without interruption from well-meaning family. Make notes during the conversation. If you’re phoning around you’ll forget who said what from which university. Ask how to spell the name of the person you’re talking to, and a contact number or email so you can get back in touch.</p></li>
</ol>
<h2>Don’t</h2>
<ol>
<li><p>Tempting though it may be don’t get your mum (or dad) to make the phone call for you, don’t. If you’re at work make the call during a break or lunchtime and agree a time to call back.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t commit to a university course if it’s more important to your parents than it is to you. If you didn’t work hard enough in school, will you be able to sustain interest in further study and be self-motivated? You’ll have to have a pretty strong idea of what else you’ll do, and be prepared to pay your way if you want to live at home. But there are other opportunities out there. Once you’ve been out in the real world you might have a better idea of an area of study you really want to pursue. Most universities value life experience as well as grades.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t be restricted by prejudice. If you didn’t get the grades for the university you wanted, take a look at ones you overlooked, check out what people who study there say about their course on social media. Ask the staff member you talk to whether there are any current students you could talk to or talk to the student’s union in that university.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t rush into it. Talk to a few courses and sleep on it. Nobody’s going to ask you to make a big decision instantly. There’s plenty of time. Check out accommodation options, who else you know in the area and even visit if it’s somewhere unfamiliar.</p></li>
<li><p>Don’t panic. Lots of successful people have had unexpected twists and turns in their lives. In years to come this period will be part of your life story, and life is what you make of it. Good luck!</p></li>
</ol><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/30297/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Olwen Moseley is affiliated with Keep Wales Tidy, Cybi Bike hire and The makers Guild in Wales as a trustee. She works for Cardiff Metropolitan University.</span></em></p>You’ve got your A Level results and things are not how you imagined they would be. Maybe you didn’t do as well as you thought you would. Or maybe you didn’t think you wanted to go to university but now…Olwen Moseley, Principal Lecturer, School of Art & Design and Subject Leader for Graphic Communication, Cardiff Metropolitan UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.