Finding the right path through Clearing
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Published
21 August 2025
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For many students, Clearing isn’t just a backup plan, it’s a direct route into the right course, at the right university, at the right time. That was the case for both Haleema Azam and Ruth Forrest, who each found their way to the University of East London (UEL) through Clearing, though their journeys were very different.
Ruth Forrest’s story
Ruth Forrest, 30, from London, is a second-year BSc (Hons) Sports Coaching and Performance Science student who came to UEL through Clearing in 2023. Ruth already had already gained qualifications and was midway through a philosophy degree when she decided to change direction and follow her true passion: sport.
Unsure of the most direct way to make the switch, she turned to Clearing after an online search led her to UEL’s sports programmes.
“Clearing felt immediate, accessible, and like the right step,” Ruth explains.
Once I spoke to the course leader and West Ham’s Higher Education Manager, their clarity and responsiveness reassured me I was making the right choice.”
The move has paid off. Ruth has immersed herself in UEL’s partnership with West Ham United, gaining practical experience at the club’s grounds, working in the Foundation office, and even trial coaching with the under-16s squad.
“The level of access and connection to the sporting world here is unmatched,” Ruth says. “I’ve met incredible leaders in the industry and had opportunities I wouldn’t have found elsewhere. Clearing opened the door to all of it.”
Her advice to future students is simple: “Don’t overthink it. If you’ve done your research and know your goals, Clearing is the most direct way forward. Sometimes the best opportunities come when you act quickly and confidently.”
Haleema Azam’s story
Haleema Azam, 24, from east London, is now in her final year of Early Childhood Studies at UEL. Back in 2022, she wasn’t entirely sure how to navigate the traditional application process. When she saw a social media post about Clearing, she realised it could be the straightforward solution she needed.
“On Results Day, I called the university at 8am sharp. I was so nervous,” Haleema recalls. “But the advisor I spoke with was incredibly kind and reassuring. They walked me through everything step by step, and within minutes I knew I had a place. It turned what could have been a stressful day into a really positive and memorable one.”
Haleema achieved strong A-levels, but she valued the personal support Clearing offered just as much as her results. At UEL, she has taken full advantage of every opportunity, completing placements, interning as a Project Coordinator in External Relations, and working as a Student Ambassador.
Looking back, she believes Clearing was the turning point that opened the door to the right university environment.
UEL’s diversity, location, and industry connections made me feel at home. The hands-on experience I’ve gained here is preparing me for my future career.”
Her advice to others? “Don’t be afraid of Clearing. It’s straightforward, supportive, and you’re never alone in the process. The staff are there to guide you, and it really can set you on the best path forward.”
Two journeys, one common thread
While Haleema and Ruth took very different paths to UEL, both credit Clearing with giving them the clarity and opportunity they needed at pivotal points in their lives. For Ruth, it offered the most direct way to make a bold career change and align her studies with her passion. For Haleema, it provided the support and structure to take the leap into higher education with confidence.
Ruth and Haleema’s journeys prove that Clearing is far more than a backup option, it’s a powerful springboard that can transform uncertainty into opportunity and give students the confidence to shape their future on their own terms.
Ready to begin your journey with confidence? Explore Clearing at UEL today and begin the future you want at university.