UCAS

Once you have confirmed this online in the UCAS Hub, any other offers you were holding will be automatically declined. You are likely to receive emails from your Firm choice, about accommodation, student finance, and other arrangements; if you have any questions or are not sure what to do next, you need to contact the university directly

You are still required to confirm your Firm and Insurance choices by 5 June 2025, but these places will be for 2026 entry. You are therefore unlikely to be contacted about accommodation or student finance, as this will need to be arranged the following year. However, if you have any queries, you should contact the university.

At any stage in the application cycle, if you change your mind about the year you would like to start your course, please contact the university as soon as possible. The decision on whether to allow this change is at the discretion of the university: they may be willing to defer your place, or may ask you to reapply the following year, in which case, there is no guarantee you would receive an offer again.

This completely depends on the university’s policy on course changes, particularly in terms of how similar the subject area is, and the level of competition for places on the new course. You should contact the university to ask about your options. If you are considering trying to change your course once you have enrolled with the university, UCAS has some good advice here: Changing or leaving your course | UCAS 

If you achieve the conditions off your Firm choice offer, your place will be confirmed as ‘unconditional’. This should happen automatically on Results Day, but you need to check your UCAS Hub as soon as possible, to ensure everything is as expected. Please pay particular attention to whether you need to take action, such as sending copies of exam certificates. You are encouraged to read this UCAS guide on Results Day, as being prepared will reduce stress on the day: Ultimate Guides — Results Day 

A simple rule to remember on Results Day is that anything relating to courses or exams already completed, including remarks, should be directed to the Exams Office, who will be able to assist and may refer you to Heads of Departments; any issue related to the future, your intended university course, or other post-18 pathway queries, should be directed to the Careers and Pathways team. Please be aware that both offices are likely to be busy on Results Day – if there are questions you could be asking in advance, please do so.

It is very likely that you have followed advice to name someone in the ‘nominated access’ section of your UCAS form (likely a parent or guardian). They will be able to telephone UCAS or universities and discuss your application on your behalf – just make sure you provide them with the right details such as your UCAS ID. However, if you are in a position where you have narrowly missed your offer, or are trying to secure a place in Clearing, admissions tutors would always rather speak with the applicant directly, to demonstrate your commitment to the course. If you think it is likely you will be having these conversations, it is sensible to try to be available remotely if possible.

If you do not achieve the grades for your Firm choice, your chosen university may be flexible, particularly if you have narrowly missed the offer. Check your UCAS Hub as soon as possible on Results Day to see if a decision has been made; if not, telephone the university – they may be able to give options, such as an alternative course. You should make this phone call yourself to show your commitment to studying at the university. If you also miss your Insurance offer, follow the same process. If neither university can confirm your place, you will enter Clearing. UCAS has some great advice on what to do when your grades are not as hoped, highlighting the range of options available: Unexpected grades | UCAS What is Clearing? 

Clearing is the system for matching course vacancies with applicants who have not confirmed their original choices or have changed their minds. If you would like to find a course this way, you will need to be organised, researching vacancies, and telephoning universities with your Clearing number ready. You do not need to apply for the same course or year of entry as your original application but do be prepared to discuss your interest in the course. If you are offered a place verbally, you will be able to add this in your UCAS Hub and continue with arrangements to start your course. This UCAS guide is useful for more about Clearing: Ultimate Guides — Make the most of clearing 

Clearing can be stressful, researching vacancies and trying to get through to admissions teams on busy phone lines. Clearing Plus is a relatively new system via your UCAS Hub that allows you to see Clearing vacancies that you might be interested in according to your original application and your qualifications. If you express an interest in any of these, the university can contact you and discuss the possibility of offering a place. Find more information about Clearing Plus here: Your Clearing matches | UCAS

Clearing is designed to fill vacancies for the courses due to start in 2025, so it is very unlikely that a university would be willing to offer a place for the following year. You will instead be encouraged to reapply in the next UCAS cycle, for a place in 2026. If your original application was for deferred entry, but you have now decided you would like to find a Clearing place for 2025, there is nothing to stop you doing this.

Think carefully before rushing into any decisions. Go back to the reasons you applied for your Insurance course, as it may still suit you very well and offer you a great university experience. Releasing yourself into Clearing is an option, but does present a risk, as you will lose your confirmed place and not necessarily be successful in securing a preferred choice.

This is a relatively new UCAS function that enables applicants who have achieved their Firm choice offer to decline this and enter Clearing if they have changed their minds. You should only use this feature if you are absolutely certain, as your Firm and Insurance will both be lost. This should not be used if you wish to change courses or year of entry (telephone the university about these). Do seek advice if this is something you are considering – there is more information here: Declining your firm place | UCAS

If you have been in contact with the Exams Office and relevant Head of Department and decided to go ahead with a remark, you should consider if a change in grade will affect a missed conditional offer. It is important that you speak with the university directly and explain the circumstances. Institutions are encouraged to reconsider applicants if a remark is favourable and achieved before the end of August, but this is at the discretion of each university, so it is important to speak with the admissions team as soon as possible.

Once you are certain that you will not be taking up a place for 2025 entry, you are welcome to contact the Careers and Pathways team about a new application. Please do this early in September 2025, so staff are aware of your plans and can prepare the reference. You will set up a new UCAS form and draft an updated personal statement, to reflect your more recent experiences and gap year activities. You will not need predicted grades (unless you are retaking exams), so offers will be based on your achieved A Level of BTEC grades. Don’t worry if you are travelling, as a lot can be achieved remotely if you are organised and plan ahead.

If you will be applying during a gap year but this is your first UCAS application, you should contact the Careers and Pathways team as soon as possible to arrange a meeting. You will then have access to course choice advice and support writing your personal statement, just as when you were a Sherborne pupil. It is important to be organised, particularly if you have a busy gap year planned – ideally, try to submit the application before you begin your internship or start your travel plans.