Clearing the way forward to university and your career

Advice about the UK's university clearing process

But what is clearing all about? It's basically the system through which those who received their A level results this week can find another university place if they don't get the grades for their first choice,

Universities are doing what they can to respond to the apparent lack of understanding about this amongst the A level students themselves, setting up help lines and advice on their webpages to support applicants.

At Thames Valley University, for example, a short chat-show style film called 'The Clearing Show' has been produced that can be viewed on the TVU website. Students or their parents can watch the online film as a guide to demystifying the process.

The university's excellent track record for graduate employment means the clearing hotline team - consisting of admissions staff and current students - are well-placed to give advice to anxious applicants about their options following lower than expected grades.

Choosing a university - what counts the most?

A recent poll found that a university's employment prospects for its graduates were the most important consideration when choosing a university, ahead of its geographical location, social scene and fees.

"This reflects the changing outlook for graduates as they go through Higher Education," commented Lynn Grimes, Director of Student Recruitment at TVU, which has the best record for graduate employment against its benchmark of all the non-specialist universities in the country.

"Students have many options when they go through clearing and shouldn't rush into accepting an offer without careful consideration of what they are committing to for the next few years."

To watch The Clearing Show and find out about courses available through clearing at Thames Valley University, click here or call the clearing hotline on 0800 036 8888.