York St John University releases Top Tips for Clearing 2023  

The Class of 2023 are facing tough competition for university places this year driven by the larger number of school leavers in the population. According to UCAS, this demographic shift combined with a rise in international students and fewer courses on offer, will put pressure on those who don’t make the grade on A level results day on Thursday 17 August.  

Clearing places are still available but prospective students are urged to be prepared and to act quickly to ensure that they can still secure a place on a course that suits them.  

 Matthew Taylor, Director of Marketing, Student Recruitment & Admissions at York St John University said: “If you are well-prepared on results day, you’ll be ready to find the course for you. We know how stressful this can be so we’re releasing our ten Top Tips for Clearing to help you get a head start.  

 “Whether you have done better or worse than you expected with your results, stay calm, take advice from your school or college and think clearly about what you want to do.  

“Prepare yourself and start making calls to universities once you have your results if you either don’t have a place or you do have a place and would like to explore other options.   

“Despite the pressure in the sector there will be lot of places in clearing this year across lots of universities, and all will be happy to help you. Good luck!”  

Top Tips for Clearing 2023 from York St John University:  

1. Make a list of courses 
   Start with the course search on the UCAS website. 
   
   
2. Look more closely  
   Some courses may sound similar, but what you will be taught may be quite different, so look at course pages on university websites to make sure that the course is right for you.  
   
   
3. Location, location, location!  
   Do you want to study close to home or further away? Have you considered commuting? What are your options and is there accommodation for clearing students?  
   
   
4. Get a feel for the place  
   The best way to make sure you would be happy at a university is to visit, so book onto an open day if you can.   Our open day is on 19 August.  
   
   
5. Talk to us  
   If you have any questions at all, get in touch – university admissions teams are expecting to receive calls and are trained to help. They know you’ve got important decisions to make and will be happy to chat with you. 
   
   
6. Pre-register 
   Check if there is an option to beat the rush on results day by signing up for a university’s information and updates.   
   
   
7. Be prepared  
   Have a list of Clearing phone numbers ready for any university that you are interested in and make sure that you have your results and 10-digit UCAS ID number ready. Some universities may also give you an option to apply online. Check their websites. If you are phoning, find a quiet place to make the call. Always call yourself as universities will want to speak directly with each applicant.    
   
   
8. Talk to your parents or supporters  
   It’s always good to get input from others when making big decisions, especially those who know you. Share the things that you’re excited about and any concerns you might have.  
   
   
9. Make a plan for results day  
   You can check whether your place has been confirmed or not on the UCAS website from 8am on Thursday 17 August. Make sure you know how you are going to get your results from your school or college on the day and plan around that.    
   
   
10. Always read the small print 
    Usually, if you are made an offer over the phone, the university will follow that up with an email confirming that you have an offer of a place. Make sure that you read that carefully as there may be important information about reply deadlines and how to accept your offer.