Not getting the grades you need to study at your first or insurance choices can be heartbreaking. You might feel that your dream career is now out of your reach. However that might not be the case.

There are thousands of Clearing courses out there to choose from, at hundreds of really great unis. Sure, they might not be your first choice of degree, but each year the majority of students who find a course through Clearing settle in to university life extremely well and never have cause to regret their decision.

So, don't be disheartened. It's time to brush your fears and disappointment aside and start making some new decisions. Here's what to consider when looking for a new course in Clearing.

Look further afield/closer to home

If you only applied to the local universities because you didn’t want to move away from home, then now is the time to reconsider. Sure you may be worried about homesickness at first, but moving from sixth form to university is always going to be a little bit of a culture shock. Once you get into the swing of things, you’ll be wondering what all the fuss was about.

Broaden your subject horizons

Are you passionate about law but struggling to find your dream LLB programme? Perhaps you want to study literature or French but there’s nothing available at a university you like the look of?

If this is the case, then why not consider studying on a combined studies programme or a Joint Honours degree which may have lower grade boundaries.

Alternatively, you may wish to change your course subject altogether. If you don’t have a specific career path in mind then take a look at your A-level results and see which subjects you’ve done best in.

Don’t be too picky

Studying at Oxford or Cambridge looks great academically, but studying elsewhere isn’t going to hold you back later in life. University is what you make of it so if you work hard (as well as play hard) and actively seek work experience while you study, then there is no reason why you shouldn’t gain a strong degree and get a good job.

Re-examine your first and second choices

Why did you choose your first choice uni in the first place? What were you looking for as part of your dream degree programme? Was it the module options available? Or perhaps what attracted you wasn't academic but the social aspects; was it the nightlife or city location that made you like that particular uni?

While you might not find an identical university, having an understanding of what you would like will help you assess whether or not any potential universities are going to be able to meet your needs. 

Your compromises

Of course, life isn’t perfect and throughout the Clearing process you will have to make compromises. So after you’ve decided what drew you to your first choice university, draw up a list of things you are willing to be slightly flexible on when you study. Sure it’s great to live in the heart of a vibrant city, but does it really matter if you have to take a 15 minute bus journey instead?  

Do your research

Once you’ve managed to decipher what you NEED from a course and what you’d be willing to compromise on, then order a few prospectuses to see if you can find something you like the sound of.

Order prospectuses now.

Before making a definite decision we also suggest that you read some reviews of your potential university so that you can see what day-to-day life is like for students on the course.

These reviews will cover a wide range of topics – from night life to course content – and may also have some fantastic tips on how to get a place!

Read our student reviews.

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