A-Level Results Day Guide for Parents

(Helping Your Child Navigate University Offers, Clearing & Next Steps!)

When & How to Collect Results?

Expected Date: Week commencing 14th August 2023 (exact date TBD).
Time: Results available from 6:00 AM (varies by school/college).
Collection Methods:
- In Person – Best option for immediate action.
- By Representative – Requires ID & written permission.
- Online / Phone / Parent Portal – Check school policies.

Tip: If your child is away, ensure they have a trusted nominee or access to UCAS Track (but remember, Track does not show grades—just university decisions).

Understanding UCAS Track Updates

From 8:00 AM on Results Day, UCAS updates application statuses:

✔ Unconditional – Place confirmed, celebrate!
✔ Unsuccessful – No place secured; explore Clearing or other options.
✔ Unconditional Changed Course (UCC) – Offered a different course at the same university.

⚠️ Track may be slow due to high traffic—be patient!

If Your Child Meets or Exceeds Their Offer ✅

Congratulations! If the grades match their firm choice, their offer becomes unconditional.

Next Steps:

Check UCAS Track – Ensure everything is updated correctly.
University Confirmation – They’ll send details on enrollment, accommodation, and start dates.
Change of Mind? – If they want to switch universities, they can decline their offer and apply through Clearing (but there's no guarantee of a better place).

If Your Child Misses Their Offer ❌

Don't panic! Universities may still accept them if they missed by a small margin.

Steps to Take:

Call the University – Ask if they’ll still accept them.
Check Insurance Choice – If the firm choice rejects them, they may have a place at their backup university.
Consider Clearing – If both firm & insurance universities reject them, explore available courses.

Clearing Phone Calls: Your child must call universities themselves – parents cannot do this for them!

Understanding Clearing

Clearing helps students find alternative university places if they:
✅ Didn’t meet their firm/insurance offers.
✅ Have no offers.
✅ Declined all their offers.

How to Use Clearing Effectively:

Contact Universities Quickly – The best courses fill up fast!
Have Details Ready – UCAS ID, grades, personal statement, and course preferences.
Use UCAS Clearing Plus – UCAS suggests matching universities based on your child’s application.
Visit If Possible – Check out the university before accepting.

Tip: Encourage your child to research Clearing options BEFORE Results Day—just in case!

Exam Remarks & Appeals

Consider a Re-Mark If:
- The grade is unexpectedly low compared to predicted results.
- The university might accept them with a higher grade.

⚠️ Important:
- Marks can go down as well as up!
- Check deadlines for priority re-marking (for urgent university decisions).
- Inform the university if appealing—they may hold the offer.

Other Options If University Isn’t the Right Path

Gap Year – Gain experience, travel, or reapply next year.
Reapply Next Year – If aiming for better grades or different universities.
Apprenticeships – Earn while learning with degree apprenticeships.
Full-Time Work – Explore career options before deciding on further study.

Tip: University isn’t the only route to success! Support your child in exploring all their options.

Key Parent Actions for Results Day

✔️ Ensure phone & laptop are charged – Your child may need to call universities.
✔️ Write down UCAS & university contact numbers – For quick reference.
✔️ Discuss Plan A, B & C – Help them prepare for different outcomes.
✔️ Stay calm & positive – Your child will take cues from your reaction!

Results Day can be stressful, but with the right preparation, your child can secure a fantastic future!✨

Next: Read 1200+ student guides covering all aspects of student life.

❤ If you liked all this, consider supporting us by checking out Tiny Skills - 250+ Top Work & Personal Skills Made Easy