A-level results day 2024: Nottingham Trent and University of Nottingham clearing advice and other top tips

With A-Level results day now here, students across Nottingham will be finding out if they’ve achieved the results required for acceptance to their chosen university. 

Results day can be a stressful time for both students and parents, particularly if things don’t go as planned. 

However, it’s important to remember that there are still plenty of opportunities out there even if you don’t achieve the results you’d have liked. 

Clearing is a second chance for students to get a place at university, by matching those that want a university place to universities with unfilled places.

These days most universities offer clearing, including Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham. 

We’ve been in touch with both universities to find out their official clearing advice for today (Thursday, August 15), as well as some other top tips. 

Everything you need to know can be found below. 

University of Nottingham

Whatever happens on A-level results day, you’ve got this. Whether you get the grades you’re hoping for, or do better or worse than you were expecting, Clearing can be an opportunity to take control of your future.

“Many savvy students use Clearing to re-evaluate their university choice, change direction to a course that’s a better fit or wait until Clearing opens to apply for a place at university.

6 tips to feel prepared and in control for Clearing:

• Check your course is available in Clearing

• Charge your phone

• Save university phone numbers to your phone in advance

• Have your UCAS number ready

• Be patient (bring snacks)

• Don’t panic

Whatever your reasons for applying through Clearing, we’ve got you.

Visit nottingham.ac.uk/clearing to sign up for our emails and be the first to view our full list of courses in Clearing on results day, plus check out our myth-busting Clearing guide.

Worried about results day? Here’s some advice from our students that may help:

• Speak to someone about how you’re feeling. You aren’t alone, your friends and family are here to help you.

• Make a plan for results day so you know how you'll be spending the time. Decide when you’ll check for your results, who will be with you and what to do afterwards.

• Things might not go to plan, and that’s okay. Clearing is a chance to explore different courses or a different university. Look through the courses we offer at nottingham.ac.uk/clearing.

• Stay occupied this week and try to avoid overthinking about what your results might be. Spend time with friends, take care of yourself, get some sleep.

• Whatever your results, you deserve to be proud of your achievements. Try to avoid comparing yourself with other people and recognise your own hard work.

• If you need advice on results day, call our Clearing hotline on 0330 041 5590 (open from 8am on Thursday, 15 August).

We look forward to welcoming students in September to our beautiful award-winning campuses.

Nottingham Trent University

Firstly, congratulations on getting your results!

 If you’ve accepted a place already at university (if that’s your next step), that’s great news, you can relax and enjoy celebrations with family and friends.

You might want to celebrate with a meal, or a get-together at home, however you are marking the day, enjoy it!

There are many companies locally and nationally who have special offers for students who’ve got their results today, so it’s worth a quick internet search to see if you want to take advantage of any of them.

Clearing advice

If you’ve not quite decided on your next steps, and want to talk to someone about your options, then Clearing is probably your next call.

The Clearing process can feel daunting, but approached with the right mindset, it isn’t just an exciting process, it’s a potentially life-changing one.

 Here is how we would recommend preparing:

• Take time to do some proper research by looking at courses online before making any calls.

• Clearing applications are usually made over the phone — but check university and college websites to find out how to apply.

• If applying online, take time, make sure all fields are completed and double check the information is correct before submitting.

• Before making any calls, have all the essentials on hand — results, including GCSEs and any other Level 2 qualifications, courses of interest, and a pen and paper.

• It must be the student that contacts universities during the Clearing process, so it might help to have someone focused and supportive on hand to help prepare for calls.

• During the call, speak clearly and listen to what the adviser is saying, note down any important information.

• An offer will be followed up with an email, read it carefully and check all the course details before accepting.

 Students can call NTU on 0115 848 6000 or visit www.ntu.ac.uk/clearing for more information.