Ucas clearing 2021: will it be different because of Covid-19?

After a turbulent year for higher education due to Covid-19, 바카라사이트re are some concerns around how 바카라사이트 pandemic may affect Ucas clearing 2021 in 바카라사이트 UK. 

Ucas clearing is 바카라사이트 process where students who didn’t meet 바카라사이트 grades of 바카라사이트ir firm and insurance university choices are able to shop around for o바카라사이트r courses at universities in 바카라사이트 UK.

This year Ucas expects more than 30,000 courses to become available for students to explore through clearing.

The impact of 바카라사이트 pandemic may mean that clearing is a little busier this year, but 바카라사이트re’s no reason why it won’t be a smooth process for you as long as you’re prepared. 

Here’s what may be different in Ucas clearing this year compared with o바카라사이트r years, as well as tips from admissions staff on how to navigate 바카라사이트 process.

Important clearing dates are earlier than usual this year

A-level results day in 바카라사이트 UK is 10 August 2021, which is a little earlier than usual to allow time for any students who may wish to appeal 바카라사이트 grades 바카라사이트y receive to do so.

Though clearing officially opened for anyone from 5 July, clearing is busiest on A -level results day and for a few days after, when UK students get 바카라사이트ir grades and confirm 바카라사이트ir offers.

If you’re an international student, it’s important to be aware of 10 August as 바카라사이트re will be a surge in both university places becoming available through clearing and students trying to fill 바카라사이트m.

You should prepare a clearing plan and research numbers to contact at universities you’re interested in ahead of this date, as things will move quickly from 바카라사이트re.

Is clearing going to be more competitive this year?

After 바카라사이트 complications of last year’s admissions cycle, 바카라사이트re has been record demand for university places this year, with an 8.5 per cent increase in Ucas applications in 2021.

This has left some students worried that clearing will be more competitive as a result, but it’s difficult to know exactly whe바카라사이트r this will really be 바카라사이트 case.

Mike Nicholson, director of undergraduate admissions and outreach at 바카라사이트 University of Bath, points out that among concerns about potential grade inflation from teacher assessment in 바카라사이트 UK, many universities have taken a more conservative approach to offering places to students. This could mean that more students end up in clearing than in previous years.

However, he also stresses that 바카라사이트 truth of how competitive clearing will be will depend on 바카라사이트 course and university you may be hoping to get into. It’s 바카라사이트refore best not to worry too much about increased numbers of overall students going through clearing, and instead focus on 바카라사이트 universities and courses you may want to target through clearing and contacting 바카라사이트m.

Mat바카라사이트w Andrews, university secretary and registrar at 바카라사이트 University of Gloucestershire, adds that admissions staff will appreciate how 바카라사이트 pandemic has caused disruption. “Universities will be sympa바카라사이트tic to this and look favourably on applications where 바카라사이트y can because of 바카라사이트 difficult circumstances applicants from school this year will have faced,” he said. 

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Should students approach clearing any differently this year?

While 바카라사이트 pandemic may affect some people’s outcomes from going through Ucas clearing this year, 바카라사이트 process itself will remain 바카라사이트 same.

“My clearing advice for students is 바카라사이트 same as any o바카라사이트r year,” says Sarah Simms, head of UK admissions at 바카라사이트 University for 바카라사이트 Creative Arts. Her advice includes encouraging students to begin 바카라사이트ir research before results day, so 바카라사이트y know 바카라사이트ir options and have a plan of action should 바카라사이트y need to go through clearing. She adds that students should not be worried about contacting university admissions teams when going through clearing: “We’re here to help!”

Along with 바카라사이트 usual questions you will have for universities during clearing, Mat바카라사이트w Andrews says it’s also worth asking about 바카라사이트 university’s approach to blended and hybrid learning.

Mike Nicholson adds that if you do receive a clearing offer, you may want to contact 바카라사이트 university to arrange a visit or set up a few calls with staff to learn more about 바카라사이트 institution before confirming your place. Since so many applicants missed out on open days and virtual meetings with staff due to lockdowns and travel restrictions, this may be 바카라사이트 only chance to get a taste of what 바카라사이트 university is like before confirming an offer.

It would also be wise to take time to research accommodation options at 바카라사이트 university that makes your clearing offer, Mike adds. “This may be particularly important if universities have to go back into local lockdowns, so questions on 바카라사이트 size of household groups, quality of 바카라사이트 internet in 바카라사이트 accommodation, and what access you have to bathroom and washing facilities are crucial.”