Clearing guidlines

Top tips from the experts at Goldsmiths to help you negotiate the system and find a programme and a university that suits you.

Geraint Fox of Goldsmiths’ Admissions Department says:

“Most universities run professional help-lines and special clearing web pages which offer good advice, but I can’t stress enough how important it is for students to be well prepared – if you’ve looked at your options and organised yourself in advance, you are much better placed to secure the course and university of your choice. “

• Make sure you’re around on the Thursday 14 August to make phone calls and speak to admissions tutors personally.
• Seek advice from your teachers and career advisors who have experience of Clearing and will be able to advise you on the best strategy.
• Thoroughly examine newspapers and web UCAS listings to locate all suitable course vacancies.
• Have your exam results, Clearing Passport and UCAS numbers easily to hand, once you’re ready to get dialling.
• Before calling, write down all the questions you want to ask the course-providers beforehand and have a notepad handy to jot down the responses. And if you are not convinced the course is for you, politely explain and carry on looking.
• Be persistent. Hotline numbers are inundated for the first few days and you will have to be prepared to keep trying.
• Explain why you're interested and what you feel you can bring to the university.
• Your university will be your second home for the next few years so it’s vital you do your research and make the right choice. Find out as much as you can about the institution via the prospectus and the web site; ask questions and if you can, pay it a visit.
• Keep your options open and be flexible - for example, if you wanted to study economics, then a business degree might also suit.
• Don’t be flummoxed by too much choice. Make a list of the features which are a ‘must’ and use them to help you identify the most suitable courses / universities.
• You will only receive one Clearing Passport – so take care of it and use it wisely!

For further information visit the UCAS website: www.ucas.ac.uk. Course listings can be found in most broadsheet newspapers on and after 14 August.