Picture this. You’ve got your results and you see you’ve done better than you expected. It’s the outcome many students hope for, and gives you a chance to find a better course.
Updated: 17 Mar 2025Sam went through the Clearing process after getting better-than-expected grades. Hear his story.
Did you know that students can use the Clearing process to find alternative courses if they’ve met or exceeded the conditions of their firm choice?
It’s important to take your time if you find yourself in this position. With new options available to you, here are some expert tips to keep you centred and help you make the best decision for yourself.
NEXT: Find more in-depth information on how to use Clearing as a student who exceeded expectations here.
It never hurts to make a note of universities and courses you’d consider in this event. Places will be competitive but researching modules, reading reviews, and making a note of the entry requirements will save you doing last-minute research when you get your results.
Remember, you have five 24-hour periods, which include weekends, to make a decision.
You’ll need to contact an institution and let them know you’ve exceeded your predicted grades. Before confirming a place, make a list of questions you have. In some cases, you may be considering a university that wasn’t on your radar before so it’s wise to find out everything you want to know. What have their graduates gone on to do? What student support is offered? Where will you be living? If you’re still deciding where you want to go, make sure you’re clear you’re just gathering information and not accepting a place.
If you’re struggling with your options, it may help to talk through them with family or teachers. Just because you've achieved better grades, deciding on a different uni is still an important decision so treat this with the same importance you would for any other outcome. Teachers may be able to advise you based on your capabilities they’ve seen while teaching you. Parents are also a great springboard to discuss your options, either drawing from their own experience or making you think about what’s going to give you the best academic and social experience.
There may be other students who are in the same boat as you achieving better than expected grades. Places may be competitive on certain courses, but the worst thing you could do is make a rushed decision and come to regret it. Doing your due diligence beforehand can give you more time to assess what’s the best choice for you.
You may or may not have given some thought to what you’d like to do after graduating. With more universities and courses open to you, you may want to consider where you see yourself after you graduate. Is a particular uni or course well-regarded in your professional field? Do certain courses have a high graduate employment rate? Use rankings and reviews to get a sense of what would best support your trajectory.