University of West London’s top tips for students as results day approaches

Tens of thousands of students across the country are getting ready to receive their A-level & BTEC results tomorrow, Thursday 17 August.

For the students who changed their minds about what to study or applied late, or perhaps didn’t quite make the target grades for their chosen course, Clearing can be an excellent option.

Admissions advisors from the University of the Year for Student Experience***, the University of West London, have shared some top tips to make the most of the whole Clearing process:

Be prepared: see what’s on offer

While many courses will be available in Clearing, not all will, so check the lists of vacancies in advance to see what is available.

UWL lists all vacancies on our website. You can discover the diverse range of courses in greater detail ahead of applying.

We recommend shortlisting several that interest you. This means you’re prepared when you call on results day, particularly if some courses fill up early in the process.

Explore our Clearing courses

A student ambassador showing students around

What’s best for you?

You’ve probably heard many different opinions on what is best for you, but you make the decision. Think about different universities and courses. Imagine where you want to be for the next three or four years and the possibility of a career in your area of interest.

The great thing is that nowadays, most universities offer virtual tours. This is a super way to see the campus and facilities. We are also holding a campus event Clearing advice session on 19 August at our West London campus. You can take a look at UWL in advance with our virtual tours. This will help you build up a picture of life on campus.

You can also get a good idea of what students think about their university by using the latest NSS 2023 (National Student Survey). UWL was ranked 1st in London*, 3rd in England* and 4th in the UK* in the NSS. Furthermore, we’re very proud of our Students’ Union who are 1st in London, 3rd in England and 3rd in the UK**.

Results day

Make sure you have your UCAS ID (if you have applied through UCAS), along with your results. Sometimes universities may want to know more than how you did in your A-Levels or BTEC courses: they might ask about your GCSEs, AS Levels and other grades relevant to your potential course.

All of your results will help university tutors understand your background and experience to ensure you’re a good fit for the course. You might want to mention relevant work experience or volunteer programmes, so have it all on hand. The quicker you can provide details, the easier the entire process will be for you on the day.

Make the most of your time

Phone lines will be busy — you may not get through straight away, but once you do, use your time efficiently. This is your chance to speak to course tutors. We suggest making a list of questions in advance. Don’t forget to visit the university website to see what information is already available. Knowing more in advance will help you use your time well and make the right choice.

A female student on her phone whilst having a coffee

Don't panic

Please don’t panic. There is time to get organised and ready to make that call on results day. Get all the information you need in advance and build an idea of where you want to be.

At UWL there are teams of people in place to help you every step of the way. Follow our social media channels to stay up to date. You can also watch our Student Vlog series on YouTube to hear all about university life from our current students.

Why not call our friendly, specialist advisors to discuss your options? We are always here to help and can advise you on all aspects of our courses and how you can apply.

0800 036 8888 – Clearing hotline open from 17 August at 7am

020 8231 2525 – Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work Clearing hotline

+44 (0) 20 8231 2468 – Call about Clearing from outside the UK

Find full details on the UWL Clearing process

^{*Calculated as an average of all questions and excludes specialist institutions}

^{** Student Voice based on average of NSS questions 22-24.}

^{***The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023}

Useful Clearing resources

Clearing 2023

Our specialist Clearing advisors are here to help you find the right course for you.
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Courses available through Clearing 2023.
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