Universities Accessing A-Level Results: Early Insights And Student Anxiety

Students eagerly await their A-level results, which are typically released in mid-August, to see if they have been accepted into their chosen university. However, universities receive the results a few days before the students, leaving many in anticipation. The results are sent to UCAS, which matches them to the subjects listed on the student's application, and then the overall grade is passed on to the universities. Students can then check their UCAS portal to see if their application status has been updated. While students wait for their results, universities are busy deciding which candidates to accept and reject, and which courses to put into clearing.

Universities receive A-level results a few days before students

Universities Receive A-Level Results Before Students

The A-level results are generally out around mid-August, the second Thursday of each year. Universities will receive the results a few days before the students do (on results day). This is so that the students' UCAS Track page can be updated on results day with a confirmation of their place at the university.

The main way of applying to university in the UK is through UCAS, and so this is also the main way that results are passed on to universities once exams have been marked and graded. UCAS processes all of the results, which are sent to them from the exam boards. They are matched to the subjects listed on the students' applications, and then the overall grade that the student has achieved is passed on to the universities.

If you are away on your results date, you can still see if the university at which you applied has accepted or rejected your application by tracking UCAS. However, different schools and institutions will have different approaches. It is recommended to get in touch with your institution to learn your options.

What to Do on A-Level Results Day

If you received higher grades than expected, and are still happy with your firm choice of university, then you can stick with it. However, if you would like to try for another university that accepts higher grades, you can enter the adjustment period. First, register your application with the adjustment so that universities are aware that you are going through the process. During this period, your firm offer at your original first choice of university will be held, so if you do not find anything, you can still go back to your initial choice.

If you received the grades to get into your first choice, then you don't need to do anything further. Just ensure that your UCAS Track has updated to confirm this (this might take a couple of days) and sit back and start planning the things you need to pack to go to university. You should also receive a letter from your university confirming your place.

If you missed your first choice but received the grades for your insurance choice, then this is still an excellent achievement and hopefully means that you will be heading to a university that you are excited about attending. Again, just make sure that your UCAS Track has been updated and wait for that letter.

If you missed both your firm and insurance offer, check your UCAS Track or contact your university to confirm that your universities will not accept you with your current grades. Your status will then be updated to let universities know that you are going through UCAS clearing.

Students can use Clearing to find a course if they don't get the grades they wanted

If you're applying through Clearing, you can find out what to do and how to apply. Over 50,000 students find their places through Clearing every year.

You can use Clearing if:

• You're applying after 30 June.
• You didn't receive any offers (or none that you wanted to accept).
• You didn't meet the conditions of your offers.
• You've declined your firm place.

If you're unplaced or have started a new application, a button will appear in your application called 'My matches'. This will take you to your top 50 course matches. You can then tell universities and colleges you're 'interested' in their courses. If they still have vacancies and you meet their entry requirements, they may call you.

If you want to apply for something different, you can still find courses available in Clearing using the search tool.

Before you add a Clearing choice in your application, you need to contact the university or college and give them your Clearing number and Personal ID. Ask if they'd accept you – they might reconsider you, maybe for the same course, even if you applied to them earlier in the year.

Get informal offers from a variety of universities and colleges, then decide which one you want to accept. Ask about accommodation options – are there any on-campus? Take a look around the campus if you have time – most universities will be happy to meet you and show you around.

Add your Clearing choice in your application only once you have permission from the university or college. This counts as you definitely accepting the offer, so if they confirm, it'll show as an acceptance on your 'Choices' page.

You can only add one choice at a time, but if the university or college doesn't confirm your place, you'll be able to add another.

If you haven't already applied, you first need to register and make an application. Unlike applying before Clearing, you'll only be able to add a choice after you've submitted your application.

If you have your exam results but have no offers, you can use Clearing from July. If you had conditional offers but your exam results didn't go to plan, you can use Clearing from results day, when vacancies will be listed.

If you're holding a firm unconditional place but have changed your mind, you can decline your place in your application and use Clearing instead.

All Clearing vacancies are listed in the search tool from July and are updated regularly by universities until mid-September.

If you didn't meet the conditions of your offer, your status will update when either you or your provider makes a change, to keep you updated as things progress.

There is a range of options available if your grades aren't what you expected. You can speak to the university or college, as they may be flexible, especially if you only narrowly missed your offer. You can use Clearing to find a course – most universities and colleges have vacancies. You can appeal your grade, consider an apprenticeship, or research alternatives to university, such as internships, gap years, and studying overseas.

Students can appeal their grades

Understanding the Appeals Process

The first step is to understand the appeals process at your educational institution. Colleges, universities, and schools typically have formal policies and procedures in place for disputing final grades, and these can vary between institutions. It is important to follow the correct procedure and adhere to any specified time frames to ensure your appeal is considered.

Meeting with the Professor

The next step is to meet with the professor who assigned the grade. This meeting is an opportunity to explain your position and try to understand the professor's reasons for assigning the grade. The goal is to reach a mutual understanding and resolve any differences in a cooperative manner.

Gathering Evidence

If the issue cannot be resolved with the professor, the next step is to appeal to the department chair or a dean. At this stage, you may need to put your request in writing and provide evidence to support your desired grade change. The evidence typically includes graded assignments, the grading policy, and any other relevant documentation.

Filing a Formal Appeal

If the department chair or dean is unable to resolve the issue, you can file a formal grade appeal. This typically involves submitting a grade appeal form and providing additional evidence to support your case. The appeal will then be evaluated by a dean or committee, who will issue a ruling. In some cases, you may be able to appeal this ruling to a higher authority, such as the provost's office.

Understanding the Limitations

It is important to note that grade appeals are typically considered only for specific reasons, such as errors, arbitrariness, or prejudice in the grading process. If you feel the grade was unfair but cannot provide specific evidence, your appeal may be unlikely to succeed. Additionally, there may be time limits for filing an appeal, and failing to follow the appropriate procedure or filing too late can result in the request being denied.

Seeking Further Support

If your appeal is not upheld, you may still have options for taking the matter elsewhere. In some cases, you can take your case to an independent committee, such as the Office of the Independent Adjudicator (OIA). However, it is important to note that the OIA does not rule on academic judgment and cannot overturn a grade. Instead, they may get involved if clear bias can be shown or if there were mitigating circumstances that affected your performance.

Universities are unlikely to email students immediately with an offer

Universities will receive A-level results a few days before students do. This is so that the UCAS Track page can be updated on results day with a confirmation of the student's place at university. However, universities are unlikely to email students immediately with an offer. Instead, they will begin updating the Track page as soon as they receive the results. This will indicate whether the student has been admitted to the course they applied for or not, although it will not show their exact A-level scores. It is important for students to contact their school to know the exact grades they have received.

The UCAS Track website freezes all student data until results are made available to them, so students won't be able to receive these confirmations before results day. Results day always falls on the second Thursday of August.

On results day, students can pick up their A-level results from their school or college, but they should check the specific opening and closing times as these sometimes change. Some schools and colleges allow students to obtain their results through email or postal mail. If this is the case, they should have been informed by their school or college.

If students are away on results day, they can still see if the university they applied to has accepted or rejected their application by tracking UCAS. Different schools and institutions will have different approaches for students who can't be there on results day, so it is important to get in touch with the relevant institution to learn about the options available.

Students can check their UCAS Track page on results day to see if their place at university has been confirmed

Universities receive A-level results a few days before results day, which is always the second Thursday in August. This allows universities time to update the UCAS Track page with confirmation of offers. While universities will begin updating the Track page as soon as they receive A-level results, they are unlikely to email students immediately with an offer. Instead, students will receive a letter from the university confirming their place.

On results day, students can pick up their A-level results from their school or college. Some schools and colleges also allow students to obtain their results through email or postal mail. If students are away on results day, they can still check their UCAS Track page to see if their application has been accepted or rejected. Alternatively, they can contact their institution to learn about other options, such as having a nominated person pick up their results or receiving them over the phone.

If students have missed the grades for their firm and insurance choices, they can enter the adjustment period to try for another university that accepts higher grades. They can also use the UCAS course search tool to find courses in Clearing.

Frequently asked questions