A Level Results Day – What if I Don’t Make the Grades?
Everyone knows waiting for exam results can be a testing time (no pun intended), and to receive the news that your grades aren’t what you needed is a blow to both confidence and plans.
It may feel as though all your work was for nothing - but one of life’s biggest blessings, best learned early, is that there is always Plan B; and Plan B can end up being just as good. Below are some options to consider in the event of not achieving your target A Level grades, so you can keep calm and carry on whatever the outcome.
As with most dilemmas, communication is key, so make sure you talk through with your parents/caregivers – as whatever you decide will probably need to be funded/supported by them, and they will want to help you figure things out. And it would be useful to talk to your subject tutors, who can advise you in setting out a plan for going forward.
Clearing
If you didn’t achieve the grades to match your offer/s and your place is no longer available (or you did, but you’ve changed your mind about your chosen university) you can apply for a place via clearing. Look at clearing as a chance to start again rather than a default second-best, because you could end up in a better situation for your individual needs. This is when the fun starts - in that it is open season on all unfilled places, and you can swoop in to get your hands on a brand-new prize! Remember that no matter what grades you got, you still bring exactly the same you to the table: who has value to bring to the university you want.
Clearing works on a points system, awarding points for every pass - even an E counts - including AS Levels, so make sure you add up your total points and don’t leave anything out. However, not all universities abide by the points system, so you need to check with individual universities as to whether they go on points or A Level results only. Some will publish this information on their website; others may need you to contact them and ask.
Once you know your score you can check which courses you are eligible for - UCAS have an excellent guide to making the most of clearing on their website, containing details of their app Clearing Plus, which matches you to universities and courses on the basis of the information supplied. Like a dating app (but better!) it could pair you with the perfect course.
Now is the time to decide if you are still set on the subject you originally applied for, and to widen your parameters if not. Perhaps you’ve done better in one subject than the one you expected to, in which case you may rethink your aims.
Either way, see this as an opportunity to get what you want, via a different means than you originally envisaged. Over 50,000 students go to university via clearing each year - and if that number ends up including you, be proud! You took a curveball and scored, and that is a result in itself.
Retakes
The first question when considering A Level retakes is whether you think you can achieve significantly better results the second time around - and put in the work to get there. As long as you believe this to be the case, and have the determination to see it through, then retakes could be a great way to get back on track.
Spend some time trying to unpick what went wrong this time - a lack of commitment to study/revision, or personal issues interrupted your focus? - and do what you can to avoid encountering similar scenarios. Speak to your subject tutors about whether a resit is the best option for you - as you don’t want to spend a year repeating A Level studies unless you truly stand to benefit. And while some universities can see retakes as proof of tenacity, others will only accept A Level results gained within a 2-year period – you need to be clear on this issue with the universities you are interested in before embarking on another course of study.
If you decide to go down the retakes path, you could do:
To fine-tune these choices, consider if you want to:
Once you’ve made your decision, the rest is up to you. Commit to your path and believe in yourself – because a positive mental attitude always helps, no matter how obvious it sounds, and you might find you enjoy the chance to take another crack at your exams.
Apprenticeships
If you don’t want to retake A Levels but do want to pursue a different route into university or into the career of your choice, an apprenticeship can get you there. The beauty of apprenticeship training is that as well as practical experience, you gain a qualification and UCAS points, meaning that your options stay wide open. You’ll earn money, something your university peers will no doubt be envious of, and workplace experience will always look good on your CV, even if you don’t end up sticking with that career.
There are different types of apprenticeship you can apply for post-A Levels, depending on your current status:
Advanced Apprenticeship (Level 3)
If you have 5 GCSEs grade A-C, you can do an Advanced Apprenticeship. This can take up to 2 years, varying by employer and how quickly you progress. A blend of workplace training and academic study, the Advanced is equivalent to 2 A Levels, meaning that you can then apply to university if you do not want to stay in your chosen field.
Higher Apprenticeship (Level 4-5)
Designed for school leavers aged 18+, to qualify for a Higher Apprenticeship you’ll need 2 A Levels, or a Level 3 Apprenticeship qualification. They take between 3-4 years and comprise academic study, usually taken at a College, alongside working at a company. Once completed you will gain a qualification equivalent to a Foundation Degree, Higher National Diploma (HND), or Higher National Certificate (HNC). All while earning money for your time.
Degree Apprenticeship (Level 6)
The clue is in the name: a Degree Apprenticeship will actually get you a degree, and requirements can vary, though you’ll need good GCSE grades as well as A Levels. Competition is fierce for these highly sought-after apprenticeships, which are advertised on a rolling basis, and students interested in pursuing them have usually also submitted applications through UCAS. Approximately 20% of your time will be spent at university, with the rest in the workplace, and you’ll be in the enviable position of being paid to study, and able to leave university debt free.
Spend some time looking at which industries offer apprenticeships, narrow it down to those that interest you and lend themselves well to your strengths, qualifications, and experience, then get searching for opportunities. It could end up being the start of a great adventure..
www.ucas.com/apprenticeships - Comprehensive guide to apprenticeships
www.notgoingtouni.co.uk - Resource for finding apprenticeships
www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship - Government opportunities
Other Courses
If apprenticeships don’t appeal, you can also consider the following:
University Foundation Programme:
The UFP at David Game College is popular with overseas students, and its function is to get students into university – at which it has a 100% success rate. You can find further information on the programme here. Courses start in September and January.
Foundation Degree:
Many universities offer a foundation degree for students who either do not meet the criteria for an undergraduate degree or are unsure about committing to a longer programme of study. They are often geared towards a specific job or profession, and you can apply via UCAS, or directly to non-UCAS colleges. After completion, you can enter the workplace or continue on to obtain a full degree.
www.ucas.com/undergraduate/what-and-where-study/choosing-course/foundation-degrees
Gap Year
The classic image of a gap year spent lounging on faraway beaches is enticing, though not always practical in reality. How you spend yours is dependent on finances, planning and logistics – in theory the world is your oyster, but there are many things to consider; and with air fares at an all-time high, the world comes with a hefty price tag.
A gap year is a chance to draw breath, re-evaluate, and set yourself up for the following academic year. You can use it to gain experience in a voluntary field, to work, to train, to generally enhance your skillset; and if university is still the dream, you can apply again with added experience and qualifications. You could also, after a year spent figuring out your goals, embark upon an A Level retake programme in the next academic semester.
And maybe you’ll get to lounge on that beach, hike through jungle and climb a mountain too - listed below are some websites dedicated to helping you make the most out of a year out.
www.trailfinders.com/holiday-styles/gap-year-and-student-travel
www.theleap.co.uk/gap-year-ideas-volunteer-abroad
www.volunteerworld.com/no/review/plan-my-gap-year
www.prospects.ac.uk/jobs-and-work-experience/gap-year/7-steps-to-the-ultimate-gap-year
If you would like more information on how to prepare yourself for A Level results day, you can join our 'Confirmation & Clearing Masterclass' with our UCAS & Careers Advisor, Siobhan Flint, on Thursday 20th June 2024, at 12:00pm (BST). Register online today here.
