Clearing - where can you see required grades?

[CrikeyDozes]

DD in total panic that she won’t get her required a level grades. I am trying to calm her by showing even if she dropped a grade or two she may be ok. We can see her course is in clearing at the moment. Where can we see what grades the clearing places are being offered at?

On another thread someone said possibly Wednesday evening. But it'll all be published Thursday anyway

I think I read that Nottm Uni are showing clearing grades now, but they are in the minority

You can see some on the university websites already with grades. Apparently others will update nearer time.

The University will know fully about clearing on Wednesday evening for sure because they have had to wait for other Universities to make decisions on near misses and also insurance offers. So it also depends on how other students do, it isn't an exact science. Ultimatley they want to fill all UK places that are funded but with the best A levels they can get. So say AAA is the requirement but you get AAB it could be good enough one year but not the following year. There is also the University as an institution deciding no more for possible reasons like accommodation full.

DH and I both had our stint doing admissions, I have retired now but he is still there though not his area anymore he is head of dept and knows they in theory are already full as all applicants have hit the right grades which is not always the case.

When do universities get told what grades people have? Have the results already been released to them?

Universities will have them. There's then an embargo on talking to any applicant until thursday. Staff are busy juggling offers with matched grades, seeing if they'll accept below etc based on numbers, it's a hellish week or so.

Thanks all. I don’t really understand why so many courses are in clearing before they know the a-level results. Does it mean fewer students accepted offers so they have spaces even if all their offers meet their grades? There are courses listed in clearing that my DD was rejected from which she was told never go into clearing. But we can’t see the grades for any of them.

It's all a juggling game. I think clearing also opens earlier for international students as they get results earlier bit would have ring fenced numbers for that. Yes possibly they made 100 offers at the stated grades, didn't make any to lower grades, and only had 80 first choice acceptances.but then there's insurance to take into account. Colleagues have always needed a lie down in a dark room afterwards.

Yes, I know grades today.

I read today in the Telegraph that Univerdities are preparing to accept reduced grades due to the pending results. I think they are released to unis a few days before the schools receive them on Wednesday. There will be frantic reviewing of UCAS applications and personal statements along with GCSE grades.
At DS’s school the SLT were panicking on the Wednesday because so many pupils had not met offers but by Thursday evening they had only had to help 4 pupils with clearing. About 30% were taking gap years and half of those were deferring the other half applied in this year’s cycle. If this was the trend across the country it could impact on acceptance this year but it may just be an odd year for DS’s school due to the knock on affect of Covid. Their year had little careers help and no opportunities for work experience, many were undecided. DS had 3 unconditional offers this cycle, so had plenty of choice, he also has his place in halls firmed up and has registered for his course.

The main thing is not to panic. DS had some low offers despite the advertised grades he may have struggled last year but from his friends experience most were accepted on lower grades than they were offered. Because he has access to clearing already, you would be surprised which ones already have clearing places. I think it’s going to be a bit of a free for all so get organised over the next few days with lists of telephone numbers and alternative courses so you can be straight onto them early Thursday. It must be your child who speaks to them so perhaps not down notes to help them on the phone. Once they get a firm response ( email) then you can go through the process of entering clearing.
UCAS number or candidate number. School should be able to help out.

Each department will be looking at marks to see if it’s worth a remark to lift a grade.

The main thing is not to panic and prepare with them. Hopefully it will all be unnecessary.
Good look for Thursday🤞