University offers Clearing advice ahead of A-level results day
Southampton Solent University’s trained student advisors – many of whom entered university via the Clearing route – are on hand to offer advice and support when students receive their A-level results this week, Thursday 13 August 2015.
Trained student advisors will be at the end of a phone, on Twitter, Facebook, email and live chat to support and advise thousands of college students, as they receive their A-level and BTEC results.
Rebecca Hollington, Solent’s Recruitment Events and Prospects Manager who heads up the University’s Clearing hub, has the following advice: “We know how nerve-wrecking results day can be; but if you’re not sure what to do with your results, don’t panic! Clearing teams are there to help you through the process to finding the right course and university.
“We welcome the opportunity to discuss the career opportunities our courses provide for those who haven’t decided to go to university yet, as well as those still seeking places; it’s not too late to find the right course for you.”
Experts will also be on hand to help ease anxiety around finances and highlight the continuing benefits of having a university degree.
To those students still worried about the cost of a university education Rebecca says: “Don’t be put off going to university for financial reasons. Remember, there are no up-front fees to be paid. Money loaned through student finance does not have to be paid back until a graduate is earning at least £21,000.
“Most universities, including Solent, also offer a range of scholarships, which don’t have to be paid back.”
Many of the students who will be manning the Clearing hotline came through the Clearing process themselves.
Katie Guillespie, 19, from Gloucestershire has just finished her first year on the BA (Hons) Geography with Environmental Studies degree. She decided to train up as a clearing operator after her own experience in Clearing.
“I didn’t get into my first choice and my insurance place offered me a course I didn’t want to do, so I decided to look around and see what was out there. I liked Southampton so I phoned Solent who were able to offer me a place,” she says.
“The person on the phone was really nice and helpful and I decided to become a Clearing operator because I know a lot about the process first hand and I know how the person on the other end of the phone is feeling.”
Katie’s top tip on results day is: “If you get different results than expected there are still choices out there and you can go even do a slightly different course, which you may love just as much. I have no regrets coming to Solent. I think I would have preferred to come here over any of my other options.”
If you are looking to spark your future, Solent University’s trained staff are ready to talk to you about the options available to you. The Clearing hotline is open from 7am to 8pm Thursday 13 and Friday 14 August; 9am to 5pm on Saturday 15 and Sunday 16 August; then 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday throughout the summer.
You can call us on 023 8001 1722; email us on ask@solent.ac.uk, live chat to us www.solent.ac.uk/clearing or contact us on Facebook or Twitter at 'Ask Solent'.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT THE MEDIA OFFICE ON 023 8201 3642 or press.office@solent.ac.uk
About Southampton Solent University
Southampton Solent University offers more than 19,000 students over 200 qualifications ranging from HND to PhD, in subjects such as maritime education and training, fashion and design, media and television, music, health, sport and leisure, business, IT and technology. The University was awarded the 2013 Quality Assurance kitemark for quality and standards of teaching and learning. Solent was voted one of the most creative universities in the UK in a Which? University 2014 poll of students. Solent Business School has been awarded the Small Business Charter Award, which is supported by the Association of Business Schools and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills and ‘gold approval’ by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA).
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