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Clearing a course for success - UEL set for record numbers of applicants on Thursday 20 August

Friday 14 August 2009

Emma Burchfield

Record numbers of applicants are expected to be seeking university places through Clearing on Thursday 20 August, A-Level results day, when the University of East London (UEL) opens its Application and Advice Centres.

This time last year on the first day of Clearing, UEL tutors and admissions staff received almost 3000 phone enquiries and the Clearing page of the UEL website had more than 12,000 visitors!

The Centre hotlines will swing into action at 8am, staffed by over a hundred tutors, expert advisors and student ambassadors, who are on hand to process applications and answer enquiries from thousands of potential students, right across the UK.

Visitors can also drop in to UEL’s on-campus Application and Advice Centres at Docklands and Stratford for one-to-one attention, ensuring they get on the degree they want, or are able to follow the most appropriate course of study.

Popular degrees are expected to fill up fast, places are available on a wide range of programmes from Art to Accountancy and Fashion Design to Forensic Science, UEL has something for everyone.

UEL offers two-year Foundation Degrees and extended degree programmes in fields including architecture, visual arts, computing, engineering and science. This means that students who do not have the qualifications required for direct entry to degree programmes can join a foundation ‘year zero’ rather than going back to school or college.

Students coming to UEL through Clearing can also benefit from the UEL Progress Bursary, worth £1,100 over three years, in which a student who successfully progresses from their first into their second semester receives £500 in their first year and £300 in each subsequent year. Also, a limited number of Achievement Scholarships, worth £1000, are available.

Emma Burchfield, Head of Student Admissions at UEL, said: “A wide range of people call us in Clearing – those who exceeded their expectations and realise that university study could be for them, those who didn’t do as well as they hoped and are suddenly looking for a place this September, as well as applicants who simply change their mind about the course they wish to study.

“It’s not too late to apply for a place at UEL and we have a huge team geared up to take calls and advise applicants on the best course of action for them.

“Clearing isn’t just about A-Levels either – UEL is proud to accept a wide range of qualifications for entry and will take the time to assess mature applicants without formal qualifications in other ways to see if they have the experience and potential to succeed in higher education.”

"Talk through your options with our experts – they may suggest alternative courses or pathways you have not have considered - and ask about bursaries, grants and tuition fees and how they apply to you.

“Visit us either by coming along to our Application and Advice Centres or attend our next Open Day on Wednesday 2 September, 4 – 7pm, to make sure we’re the right choice for you.”

The opening times for the hotlines are:

Weekdays from Thursday 20 August until Friday 18 September. Weekdays 9am to 7pm (with the exception of the first two days of clearing when they will be open from 8am to 8pm).

The lines will also be open on Saturday 22, Sunday 23 and Saturday 29 August from 10am to 4pm.

Visitors are advised to attend an hour in advance prior to closing times.

For full details of all programmes and up-to-date availability of places, call 020 8223 3333 or log on to www.uel.ac.uk/clearing

UEL students who came through Clearing last year include:

Zac Bull, who has just completed his first year BA International Development with NGO Management

"I was working as a Junior Graphic Designer and then decided to apply through Clearing at the last minute and had a good experience of it through UEL. I am really loving being at UEL and my course. I have worked on the Development Telethon and I earned the most money on the telephone team!

"I have also been doing voluntary work for a charity called Childreach International which was created by ex-UEL students on my course and it is based at UEL's Knowledge Dock. We are doing so well now that we are moving to offices in Old Street.

"I've also just organised a trip to Nepal for Childreach International which has raised £40K."

Henry Awoniyi, BSc Physiotherapy

"I found the clearing process very useful. I didn’t know if I’d get a place but I did and I was very pleased. I was already offered a place at Lincoln University in Biomedical Science but I thought Physiotherapy at UEL was more my kind of thing.

“The course has lived up to my expectations, it’s wonderful. The practical experience of working in Newham General Hospital with patients is brilliant and I’ve realised it was the right choice to come to UEL. I have been working with patients in intensive care and it’s been challenging but worth it. I feel as if I’ve really achieved something through getting onto this course through clearing and helping other people.”

Notes to Editors

The University of East London (UEL) is a global learning community with over 28,000 students from over 120 countries world-wide. Our vision is to achieve recognition, both nationally and internationally, as a successful and inclusive regional university proud of its diversity, committed to new modes of learning which focus on students and enhance their employability, and renowned for our contribution to social, cultural and economic development, especially through our research and scholarship. We have a strong track-record in widening participation and working with industry.

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