Psychology in clearing, is anything left?

[ser]

My son had always been keen to take a gap year and travel so when he filled in his UCAS form, he didn’t give it much thought as he always assumed he’d apply with grades in hand the following year. However, his psychology teacher went on long term leave in year 13 and he pretty much taught himself the topics and absolutely fell in love with it. A few months ago he had a huge change of heart and is now adamant he wants to go to uni this year to study psychology. But… nothing seems to be available in clearing at the unis he’s interested in. He got accepted into Exeter which was his first choice on his UCAS form (although now the wrong course) but they don’t have psychology in clearing. He was on the phone the second he received his grades and has tried Cardiff, Sheffield, Newcastle, Nottingham, Warwick, York and Exeter and all have said there is no availability for psychology. He has been offered a place at Southampton and Lancaster but would have loved to have gone to Cardiff or Exeter. Are there any other places he could try? He’s sociable and sporty, fairly academic but not amazing. I’d just love for him to find his place and it feels the later in the day it gets, the more doors are closing. Would be very grateful for any advice. Thank you

My friends dd got into Birmingham uni for psychology through clearing

Aren't you best calling UCAS than munsnet?

Thank you

Yep, he’s made a huge number of calls, while he’s doing that I’m just keen for suggestions that I can put forward to him.

It's over subscribed, so the good places aren't really available in clearing. I think he'd be better applying for next year with grades in hand, and enjoy a gap year, maybe with some work to help fund it, or relevant volunteering if he can get it. Depending on his grades, of course.

Although actually I'd take the Lancaster offer.

Take the offer from Lancaster - it’s a strong department at an excellent university.

I agree with PP, Lancaster is excellent and a lovely campus.

Ds is in the same position. He has A, B and unfortunately a E so got turned down for Bristol. Nothing is coming up via clearing but he had some unconditional offers before today. Looks like it might be a gap year

My daughter is at Lancaster so I'm biased (!) but Lancaster also guarantees accommodation if you go via clearing.

What’s wrong with Lancaster? Ok a bit of a small city when compared with Sheffield and Newcastle but it’s a highly ranked university? I’d go and have a look around.

Thank you everyone for your replies, it’s great to hear your thoughts on Lancaster. He’s not been up to look at it (we are London based) so I think he was just a little unsure. His grades were A star, A, C so a bit of a mix. He’s contemplating going back to his original plan and taking a year out to travel and work. I was really surprised by how over subscribed psychology seems to be. I will definitely encourage him to take a closer look at Lancaster before making any final decisions. Thanks again.

Possibly a bit late now but my DS has just finished his first year at Southampton for Psychology and has absolutely loved it. He’s had a fantastic mix of study and socialising and can’t wait to go back for Y2. Accommodation costs post Y1 are very reasonable too. Good luck to your DS!

I did the same, I think working for a year is invaluable and I'm glad I did it.

He can also retake the C and see if he can get into any better unis.

@ser It’s a very popular A level and a very popular degree. Not entirely sure why as it’s less work focussed than many sciences but doesn’t need the hard science A levels either.

Psychology is a fab degree with so many directions you can go in after, great choice 👍 I think one really good option would be to travel and do some relevant volunteer work over the next year, this would put him in a really strong position when he graduates and things get really competitive. If he was really driven then volunteering now and making some connections could mean returning for more volunteer work at some point each summer before graduation too and then he will have tons of experience and great example for interviews before most psychology graduates have even given it a thoughts

I think Sussex still has places and it’s a strong department with a beautiful campus around the corner from Brighton.

From London Euston there’s a direct train to Lancaster 2.5 hours.

Coventry? Direct train from Euston as well.

Open university?

My son is at Lancaster (we are in London) and I can confirm it is a fantastic Uni, campus and city. He absolutely loves it. Lancaster is a highly ranked Uni with average entrance requirements higher than some RG. I am biased but would jump at Lancaster.

Thank you very much for all your responses, everything has been taken on board and considered. He had one last check this morning and Cardiff had come back into clearing and he got straight on the phones and seems to have received a verbal offer. He’s updated his UCAS form and is just waiting for their response. I’ve got everything crossed for him as this would be his ideal outcome. All the universities he was lucky enough to get verbal offers from looked fantastic but Cardiff was what he had his heart set on. I really appreciate the time everyone took to respond and I 100% agree that Lancaster looks like an amazing place to study. His brother is at Exeter and enjoys that immensely so I’m hoping the same will be said for him at Cardiff (if it gets the final acceptance). Thanks again and good luck to all your children starting their studies in their new places.

Lancaster, go there he’ll have a ball!
(County till I die !)
He’ll be within an hour of Manchester and Liverpool and on the doorstep of the Lake District

That's excellent news! I hope it's all updated on the systems soon for him.

New places are coming into clearing today, it might be worth another look. Fingers crossed for your son whatever he decides