A Level results for most students, will be released on Thursday the 14th of August. Many people will wonder why there is so much press around this at the moment, and what the big deal is but for those students (and their families) who are waiting for these results, it is a hugely important day as it will confirm if they are going to the university of their dreams or if they are going to have to come up with a plan B. Things move fast on results day, so what is the best way to make sure you are ready to receive your results?

Preparing for results day

1. Be clear about how you are going to receive your results from the school. They will have shared information with you about this. If you are not sure of the procedure, please contact your careers counsellor at school to make sure you have all the relevant information.

2. The results will be released at 8.00 am UK time and you should be access them from this time onwards. Receiving your results is not the same thing as having your university place confirmed.

3. To find out if you have been accepted into your first choice or insurance university you will need to log into UCAS hub which will update at around 8.15am UK time. This will show if you have been accepted or declined for your Firm or Insurance place.

4. Make sure you have good wifi and phone access on the day in case you need to follow up with the school, your university choices or be able to enter into Clearing.

What are the potential outcomes?

1. You meet the conditions of your first-choice university offer
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‍This is the ideal outcome, congratulations! If you have achieved the required grades for your firm (first-choice) university, your place will be automatically confirmed. You don’t need to take any further action, though we recommend keeping a close eye on your UCAS Track account, as it may take a short time to update.

You should also receive written confirmation from your university, either by email or post, outlining the next steps. For international students, the university will now be able to issue your CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) number, allowing you to begin your visa application process.

With your place secured, it’s time to start preparing for the exciting transition to university life, from accommodation to travel arrangements and everything in between.

2. You miss your firm offer but meet the conditions for your insurance choice

If you haven’t met the grade requirements for your firm choice but have achieved the conditions for your insurance offer, your place at your insurance university will be automatically confirmed.

This remains a significant accomplishment and may still lead to a rewarding university experience. We advise checking your UCAS Track account to ensure your offer status is updated and looking out for confirmation from your insurance university.

If you are still determined to pursue your first-choice university, it is worth contacting them directly. In some cases, universities may accept students with slightly lower grades, particularly if spaces are available. Speaking with the admissions team can provide clarity on whether this might be possible.

3. You miss both your firm and insurance offers

If you do not meet the conditions for either your firm or insurance choices, don’t panic, as you will automatically be entered into UCAS Clearing. Clearing is an established part of the university admissions process and offers thousands of students each year the opportunity to secure an alternative course or university.

You can begin exploring available Clearing options immediately, but note that you can only formally add a Clearing choice to your UCAS account from 1pm (UK time) on 14th August.

Before entering Clearing, double-check your UCAS Track status or contact your universities directly to confirm they won’t accept you with your current results — some universities may still offer flexibility.

Clearing can open unexpected doors, often leading to courses and institutions that turn out to be an excellent fit academically and personally.

To learn more about Clearing, please click here.

If you need any guidance or support, our leading University Education Consultants are here to help. Please click here to contact Carfax Education today.

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