Results Day is a huge milestone for learners, and last year alone, nearly 40,000 Scottish students went on to secure a place at university or college.
Planning ahead for SQA Results Day on Tuesday 5 August can put you in the best position for deciding your next steps. Here, we have outlined some tips to help you get ready:
On the day
If you received an unconditional offer or your place has been confirmed on Results Day, then congratulations, you’re in! You’ll receive an email from UCAS outlining your next steps and top tips on how to prepare for university or college.
If you’ve only just started your UCAS application, are reconsidering your choices, or if your grades aren’t quite what you were hoping for, there are still plenty of options available with around 28,000 courses in Clearing this year.
Last year, over 2,800 Scottish students used Clearing to find a place at university or college, with 1,405 applying directly to Clearing. Clearing is the final stage of the UCAS application process, which allows you to see which universities still have vacancies on their courses, and for universities to match applicants to available places once they have received their results. Clearing gives you the chance to submit an application for the first time if you have only just decided you would like to start a course this autumn, find a place once you have received your results, or potentially apply for a different course or institution.
Be proactive
When preparing for Results Day, think about the courses you are interested in and contact the admissions offices at the universities and colleges to talk about spaces. You might want to look back at your original five choices on your UCAS application and revisit them as a potential option, as we know many students choose to go back to one of these institutions via Clearing.
Clearing opened on 5 July so you can already start doing your research. Remember, there are no restrictions on the number of conversations you can have during Clearing, so you can chat to lots of different universities or colleges before making a decision. If you need any advice about how to approach these conversations throughout Clearing, you can take a look at UCAS’ videos for extra support.
Be confident
It’s important to choose what’s right for you; university or college is a big and exciting step. If you’re still researching your options, UCAS’ subject tasters and virtual work experiences are a great place to start. You can also chat to current students at the university or college, or on the course you’re interested in on UCAS.com.
Even if you haven’t applied yet, you can still make an application to begin a course this autumn. The process is a little different as you’ll be applying directly through Clearing, but it’s certainly not too late. You’ll first need to register and make an application, UCAS will then send you a welcome email with details of how to access your application and your Clearing number. You can then apply directly through Clearing.
Whether you found a place in Clearing or met the conditions of your offer on Results Day, make sure you take some time to celebrate your hard work and determination. We have all the tips and advice to support you on your next steps – from budgeting, to finding part-time work and supporting your mental health. UCAS’ team of expert advisors is here to help, with lots of support available on the phones, on our website and via our social media.
