AWARD-WINNING Nottingham Trent University (NTU) have provided useful information as big examination results are set to be announced.

What is Clearing?

UNIVERSITIES USE Clearing to fill extra vacancies on their courses. It means that if your child has missed out on their original choice(s) or did not apply during the main application cycle, they can still apply to university.

As well as missed offers, Clearing’s also useful when:

• your child has applied to university, but hasn’t received any offers
• they’ve declined all their offers
• they haven’t yet applied for a course in the 2020/21 academic year.

My child missed the grades or conditions of their offer – what now?

Missing out on an offer isn’t the end of your child’s chance to go to university. However, if they’re considering applying to a university through Clearing, it’s important to consider all practicalities.

• Help with researching Clearing vacancies and consider your child’s options together – make sure they take their time and make an informed decision, without accepting the first offer they receive. Their decision doesn’t need to be immediate.
• Familiarise yourself with the city or campus your child is considering, if it’s a different university or city to their original choice. Websites like WhatUni and The Student Room can be useful to get current student views.
• Find out what kind of accommodation your child can expect to be allocated if they accept an offer through Clearing.
• Make sure your child is aware of what steps they need to take to amend their student finance application, if they accept an offer through Clearing.

How can my child apply to NTU through Clearing?

They should contact our Clearing team to discuss their options.

Don’t call on your child’s behalf as we can’t discuss their application with a parent or teacher – to do so is a breach of the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR).

Your child should read our Guide to Clearing for more advice and guidance on researching their Clearing options and making their call.

We run extended opening times from 13 August to give your child more time to consider their options before getting in touch.

Is it worth pursuing university if my child has missed out on their preferred choices?

Clearing is a contingency, not a consolation. Last year, over 73,000 students secured a university place through Clearing (UCAS End of Cycle Report 2019) – and in 2018, 87% confirmed that they were happy with their decision (UCAS Impact Report).

Everything you need to know about Adjustment

What is Adjustment?

Adjustment is the service UCAS runs for students who’ve achieved better results than expected – if your child has exceeded their conditions of offer, they might be thinking about looking for an alternative course.

Read our guide to Adjustment to find out more.

Is my child eligible for Adjustment? If so, how can they apply?

They’re eligible if they’ve met and exceeded the conditions of their offer. Adjustment is an optional process run through UCAS, and it won’t jeopardise your child’s first choice offer. Your child’s original offer is secure whilst giving them the opportunity to seek an alternative place on a different course or university.

For more information on how to apply, they should visit our Adjustment section. We’ve included advice on course availability, time-frames and applying for accommodation.

Is there anything about Adjustment I need to be aware of?

As with Clearing, the decision does not need to be immediate – they should try using the short period of grace to take tours (virtual or otherwise!) of any universities they’re interested in.

Make sure your child has considered all the practical consequences of changing universities. And most of all, encourage them to follow their instincts!

Applying through Adjustment – some key things for your child to remember

• They won’t lose their original offer until they confirm their decision to study elsewhere.
• Gather as much information as possible, but don’t make any verbal commitments.
• There’s no rush. The Adjustment period lasts from A Level results day on Thursday 13 August, to Monday 31 August 2020. That means there’s time to visit other universities and consider their options. Once your child registers for Adjustment in UCAS Track, they have five 24-hour periods (including weekends) within this time to use it.
• Make sure they’ve covered the logistics of accommodation and finance – if they’re changing their choice of university.

Further information on Clearing and Adjustment

If your child needs help with their application, they can give us a call on +44 (0)115 848 6000 with their query.

See UCAS’ advice pages on Clearing and Adjustment for more information.

NTU’s UCAS institution code name is NOTRE and the UCAS institution code is N91.

Visit: www.ntu.ac.uk