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A Level Results Day: Your University Options

A calm, step-by-step guide to UCAS confirmation, Clearing, and the accept-or-retake decision — for Cambridge and Edexcel A Level students

This guide is about the decisions — what to do once you have your grades. For the exact release dates, times and how-to-check details, see the results pages:

First: Read Your Grades Against Your Offers

Before you react to the grades themselves, line them up against the offers you're holding:

  • Your firm choice — the offer you accepted as your first choice.
  • Your insurance choice — your backup, usually with slightly lower requirements.

If you applied through UCAS, your status on UCAS Hub usually updates on results morning to show whether each place is confirmed or unsuccessful — often before you've even seen the individual grades from your school. That status is what decides your next step.

A quick reality check

A confirmed place means you're in — you don't need to do anything except follow the university's enrolment steps. Most of what follows is only for when a place isn't confirmed.

Three Outcomes, Three Plans

You met your offer

Your place is confirmed. Watch for enrolment instructions from the university, sort out any accommodation and visa steps, and send your final results if you're asked to. Nothing else to do — congratulations.

You narrowly missed

Don't panic — a near miss is often still fine. Options, in order:

  • Wait for your UCAS status — universities frequently confirm a near miss, especially your firm choice.
  • If not confirmed, phone the university's admissions or Clearing line quickly and make your case; they may offer the same course or a related one.
  • Consider your insurance choice, if it's confirmed.
  • If you think a grade is wrong, ask your school about a review of marking — including the priority service used when a university place depends on it — before any deadline passes.

You exceeded your offer

You may be able to trade up to a higher-ranked course through Clearing. To do that you "self-release" — decline the confirmed place you hold so you can enter Clearing. Because releasing a place can't be undone, only do it after a higher-ranked university has given you a verbal offer. Weigh it carefully: a confirmed place is worth a lot, and the best courses fill quickly.

How UCAS Clearing Works

Clearing matches students without a confirmed place to courses that still have room. It runs over the summer and is open to anyone who doesn't hold a place — not just people who "did badly".

1

Find courses

Search the official course list on the UCAS website, and make a shortlist that fits your grades and interests.

2

Call the universities

Phone their Clearing line yourself (not a parent) with your UCAS ID and grades ready. Ask whether they'll offer you a place — you can talk to several before deciding.

3

Add your Clearing choice

Once a university gives you a verbal offer and you're sure, add it as your Clearing choice in UCAS. Only add it when you've decided — you can normally hold one Clearing choice at a time.

Clearing dates, deadlines and the exact steps change each year and by university. Always confirm the current process on ucas.com and with the university directly — don't rely on last year's timeline.

Applying Outside the UK

Clearing is a UK/UCAS system. If you're applying elsewhere, the shape is similar but the process differs:

  • US & Canada: most offers aren't conditional on your final A Level grades, so results day is mainly about sending your final results and checking for any course credit or advanced standing.
  • Other countries: universities set their own requirements and deadlines — check each institution's process, and confirm whether they need results sent by your school or by you.

For using International A Levels toward UK entry, our studying in the UK pages walk through the UCAS route.

Accept, or Retake?

If the grades didn't go your way and no place feels right, you can retake in a future exam series and reapply. It's a real option, not a failure — but weigh it honestly:

Leaning toward accepting

  • You're close to your target and happy with the course or a Clearing option
  • You'd rather start now than spend another year
  • A confirmed place removes uncertainty

Leaning toward retaking

  • A grade fell well short and the specific course really matters
  • You know what went wrong and can prepare differently
  • Your qualification lets you resit soon (Edexcel International A Level units run in January and June; Cambridge runs the next series in the following exam cycle)

Understanding how close your mark was to the next grade helps this decision — see our guide to grade thresholds. And whatever you're deciding, talk it through with your teachers and a careers adviser first.

Results-day checklist

  1. Have your UCAS ID, login, and a phone charged and ready the night before.
  2. Check your UCAS status first, then your detailed grades from school.
  3. If confirmed: follow enrolment steps and celebrate.
  4. If not: call universities yourself, quickly and calmly — lines get busy.
  5. Borderline grade? Ask your school about a review of marking before deadlines close.
  6. Take a breath before any big decision, and get advice from a teacher or adviser.

Frequently Asked Questions

What should I do first when I get my A Level results?

Check your grades against the offers you're holding on UCAS Hub — your firm choice first, then your insurance. UCAS usually updates your status on results morning to show whether a place is confirmed. If it's confirmed, you're in; if not, read on for your options.

What is UCAS Clearing and who is it for?

Clearing is how UK universities fill places that are still open after results day. It's for anyone without a confirmed place — whether you missed your offer, declined your offers, applied late, or changed your mind. You search for available courses on the UCAS website, call the universities directly, and add a Clearing choice once one verbally offers you a place.

I narrowly missed my offer — is it over?

Not necessarily. Universities don't reject automatically for a near miss, especially at your firm choice — many confirm anyway or offer an alternative course. Wait to see your UCAS status, and if you're not confirmed, phone the university's admissions or Clearing line quickly to make your case. If you think a grade is wrong, ask your school about a review of marking, including any priority service used when a place depends on the outcome.

I did better than expected — can I trade up?

Possibly, by using Clearing to find a higher-ranked course. Trading up means 'self-releasing' — declining the place you already hold so you can enter Clearing. Because releasing a confirmed place can't be undone, secure a verbal offer from the higher-ranked university first. Weigh it carefully: a confirmed place is valuable and popular courses fill fast.

Should I accept a place or retake to get a better grade?

It depends on how far you were from your target and how much the specific course or university matters. A confirmed place you're happy with is usually worth taking. If a grade fell well short and the destination really matters, a retake in the next exam series (with more preparation) can be the better long-term move. Talk it through with your teachers and a careers adviser before deciding.

Related

Clearing rules, dates and university requirements change each year — always confirm the current process on ucas.com and with the universities directly. Your school's careers or UCAS adviser is your best source for personal guidance.

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