Check UCAS
If your child applied to university via UCAS, they’ll be able to check the status of their application on the UCAS Hub from around 8.00 am on results day. They won’t be able to see their exam results here, but if decisions have been made by their university choices, they can expect to see the following changes to their offers:
- Unconditional - their place on the course has been confirmed. This may be their firm or insurance offer, or both.
- Unsuccessful - they’ve not been accepted by their choice(s), meaning they’re now eligible to enter Clearing.
- Unconditional Changed Course (UCC) - they don't have the necessary grades for their offer, but the university has proposed a similar course requiring lower grades. They may also offer an alternative start date, such as deferred entry.
Be patient with them
Results day is nerve-wracking, and if your child doesn't get the grades they were hoping for, they may be upset. Give them the space they need to absorb their results and let them know you're proud of what they've achieved. Once they're ready, discuss their options with them.
Encourage them to keep going
Clearing can be overwhelming, even if your child has spent time preparing for it. Provide them with drinks and snacks and encourage them to take regular breaks away from their screen.
Make sure they don’t rush their decision – they might be tempted to accept the first offer they receive in Clearing, but it’s important that they take a step back and really consider what is the best option for them.
Confirm their offer
Once your child has an offer, they will receive an email from the university confirming what they need to do next. If they applied to university via UCAS, they can add a Clearing choice to their UCAS Hub from 2.00 pm on A Level results day. If they applied directly to the university in Clearing, the Admissions team will explain how they can accept their offer.
Update Student Finance
If they’ve already applied for Student Finance, they’ll need to log into their account and update their application with the details of their new course and university.
If they haven’t applied for Student Finance yet, they’ll need to do this as soon as possible to give them the best chance of receiving their loan in time for the start of their course. To start a Student Finance application, they need to visit the GOV.UK website.
Visit the university
If you’re able to visit the university before September, we’d really recommend doing so. Here at Cumbria, we’re holding Open House events at our Lancaster, Ambleside, Fusehill Street (Carlisle) and Brampton Road (Carlisle) campuses on Saturday 17 August, giving you and your child the opportunity to tour campus, speak to our support teams and academics, and explore the local area. Your child can book their place here.