Clearing advice for parents and supporters

Heard about Clearing but not sure how it all works? Well, read on for what you need to know and top tips for supporting your student.

If you are the parent or supporter of a student who is holding a conditional offer, results day is when they will find out if they have secured a place at their preferred university. This can often be a day of celebration or the first time they’ve considered university, but it can also be an unsettling time when their plans might need to change.

If your student doesn’t get the results they were hoping for, or they change their mind about where they want to study, the most important thing is to remember to stay calm, be positive and don’t panic.

Our Clearing advice for parents will help you to support your student through the decision-making process.

Be prepared – encourage your student to have a back-up plan of different options ready for results day. This could include potential options if they don’t secure the grades they need and find themselves released into Clearing. Course vacancies at Edge Hill University are listed on our find a course page.
Check UCAS application – The UCAS application system is updated and available from 8.00am on results day (Thursday 17 August), so make sure your student is free at this time. If your student narrowly misses the conditions of their offer, they may still have their place confirmed or be considered for an alternative degree. If their results are not what they were hoping for, reassure them that there will still be a wide range of courses available through Clearing with plenty of options to choose from.
Take a step back – tempting though it is to get in touch with us yourself, your student should be the one to make contact. Universities really want to hear first-hand why prospective students want a place on a particular course. It’s also worth remembering that this is a two-way conversation. Your student’s experience during an exchange may help determine if a university is the right choice for them.
Have questions ready – while your student will understandably focus on finding a suitable course and securing a place, there are other important factors to consider when choosing where to study. When getting in touch with us, your student will have the chance to ask other important questions. Work with them on a checklist of things to ask, from how they will be assessed to what support is provided in finding accommodation and whether any scholarships are available. We currently have good availability for on-campus accommodation for Clearing applicants. And our halls are great value for money too, with fees below the national average.
Take a road trip – if you can, you should go to an open day at the University where your student wishes to study. You’ll then have the chance to see it for yourself, ask questions, meet students and put any worries you might have to rest. It’s a great opportunity to discover the facilities and accommodation and get a better idea of what the student experience will be like. Edge Hill’s Open Day takes place on Saturday 19 August 10am – 3pm. And if you can’t make that day, we have lots of campus tours taking place on 18, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25 August.
Accept an offer – once an informal offer of a place has been made which your student wishes to accept, the next step is to add the course they want to join as a Clearing choice on UCAS. Their place will then be confirmed.

Whether your student secures a place on their first choice of course at their preferred university or finds an alternative, you will soon get to watch them embark on an exciting and fulfilling new chapter of their life.