University gears up for busy time during Clearing

The University of Wolverhampton expects to take thousands of calls this week as it prepares for A-Level results day.

As young people around the country pick up their results, the main message from the University is to stay calm.

Staff from the University will be on hand to give advice and guidance and talk students through their options at 14 schools and colleges across the region.

These are: Birmingham Metropolitan College’s Sutton, Matthew Boulton and Stourbridge campuses, Halesowen College, City of Wolverhampton College, Solihull College, Shelfield School, Sixth Form College Solihull, Cannock Chase High School, ACE Academy, Wednesfield High School, Smestow School, North East Wolverhampton Academy and South Wolverhampton and Bilston Academy.

People can also ring the University’s Clearing hotline on 01902 323505 which is open between 7am to 7pm on results day.

Face-to-face advice is also available at the The Gateway@The George in Wolverhampton, University Centre Telford on the top floor of Southwater One in Telford and Shire Hall in Stafford, all between 9am and 5pm.

The University is also holding an Open Day on Saturday August 15 at its City and Walsall Campuses between 10am and 3pm where prospective students and their families can speak to staff about available courses and see facilities at first-hand.

Jon Elsmore, Dean of Students at the University, said: “The important advice for students receiving their results is not to panic. There can feel like there’s a lot of pressure to make a quick decision, but it is really important to make sure you make the right decision for you, and that’s where getting expert advice comes in.

“We have staff members on hand who can talk students through their options and find the right opportunity for them. Whether students want to talk to someone in person at a school or college, pop into one of our Gateway advice centres in Stafford, Telford or Wolverhampton, attend the University Open Day or call our dedicated Clearing hotline on 01902 323505, we have experts who can guide them through their next steps.”

Top tips for the Clearing process:

Don’t panic – there are opportunities available

Get advice – from your school or college, and also from the University of Wolverhampton’s expert team of advisors.

Be prepared - think of the questions you want to ask when you ring universities and have your grades handy. Be open-minded about the types of course you could study and if you can't get on an undergraduate course, you could consider other study options such as Foundation programmes or part-time.

Keep in touch - if we offer you a place, we'll tell you by when we need you to make a decision. Places do go quickly though, so keep in touch. Come and visit us on our Open Day on Saturday 15 August to get a feel for the University and to talk to us to help you make your decision.

Simeon Chandra has experienced the Clearing process first hand. He graduated last year with BEng (Hons) in Civil Engineering and is now working for a civil and structural engineering firm.

Simeon, who also went on to be the University of Wolverhampton Students’ Union President, said: “I found the clearing process to be very organised compared to other universities I had applied to. I enjoyed coming into the Open Day and speaking to lecturers. The biggest challenge can be securing student finance in time.

“I really enjoyed my course. It gave me the foundation skills that I needed to work within the construction industry.”

Further details of courses available in Clearing at the University can be found at www.wlv.ac.uk/clearing

ENDS

For more information please contact James Allen in the Media Relations Office on 01902 322003.