The excitement or tension is mounting as results day creeps ever closer-suddenly you are trying to recall all that information that your Careers teacher gave you. Don’t panic! Here is our clear guide to what the UCAS terms mean, and how to act on them on the day.
Firm
This is your top choice University, the one you picked back in May when you made your final selection of two. If you get the grades they offered you then you will automatically be accepted into this University and this is where you will be expected to enrol. For most people this is the dream result! If you narrowly missed your grades, then it is still worth giving the admissions team a call, sometimes they can be quite flexible
Insurance
Earlier in the year you were allowed to pick two universities. Your second choice, or Insurance offer, was your back up, in case you did not get the grades for your Firm choice. If you miss your Firm grades but achieve the grades for your Insurance offer you will automatically be offered a place at this University.
Clearing
If things have not turned out as well as expected and you miss the grades for both your Firm and Insurance offer, then you will be entered into Clearing. The Clearing system is a very efficient way of letting you see which Universities still have vacancies on their courses. This list is already up online so if you have any worries about your results it is worth checking it out ahead of time. Make a list of Universities and courses that could be of interest, then if you do go through Clearing, you will be ahead of the game.
Adjustment
If your results have exceeded your expectations and are way better than you needed for your Firm offer, then you can use Adjustment to trade up. Once it opens you need to follow these steps:
1) Register on Track that you are going through Adjustment
2) Check for vacancies; best way to do this is to call the Universities themselves
3) Check if there is an offer you want to accept (Make sure you do not accept an offer over the phone when all you called to do was gather more information!)
4) You have a 5 day period to do this from the time you register.
Very competitive Universities are unlikely to enter Adjustment and so in some cases a reapplication may well be a better plan. If you try Adjustment but don’t find anything you will still keep your place on the original course.
Whatever happens never be afraid of calling the university and talking directly to someone in the department you want to study in. University staff are only to happy to talk to you and it shows them that you are interested and enthusiastic about your choices.
Above all – Good luck! And if you are confused – call us at Gabbitas – we are here to help!
