What happens between now and results day? Your Clearing preparation guide

Results day is approaching. It's completely normal to feel a mix of anticipation and nerves while waiting for your grades.

You can use the weeks leading up to results day as your preparation window. Students who understand the process, research their options, and arrive at results day with a clear plan are the ones who handle the morning with the most confidence.

Here is exactly how to prepare between now and results day.

Understand what happens on results day

Exam boards release A-level results in mid-August (Thursday 14 August 2026). From early that morning, you can log into your Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) Hub account to see your application status.

There are three possible outcomes:

1. Your grades meet your firm choice offer: Your place is confirmed.
2. Your grades meet your insurance choice offer: Your insurance place is confirmed.
3. Your grades do not meet either offer: You will enter UCAS Clearing.

Understanding these pathways in advance ensures you will not be caught off guard by the process on the morning.

Research universities and courses now

Do not wait until results day to research alternative options. If there's a chance you might need Clearing, build a shortlist of courses and universities you would genuinely look forward to attending right now.

Look closely at course content, entry requirements, campus location, facilities, and graduate outcomes. Having a shortlist ready means that if you do enter Clearing, you will not be searching in a panic. Instead, you can pick up the phone and have confident, productive conversations with universities you have already vetted.

Check your UCAS account details

Log into your UCAS account today to ensure your personal details, qualifications, and contact information are accurate. Check that your firm and insurance choices display correctly.

If anything looks incorrect, contact UCAS or your school's coordinator immediately. Resolving administrative issues takes ten minutes on a quiet Tuesday in July but causes unnecessary stress on results day when phone lines are busy.

Find your Clearing number

If you enter UCAS Clearing, the system will display a unique Clearing number directly in your account portal. You must provide this code and your UCAS personal ID to universities when you call them so they can access your application profile. Locate where these numbers appear in your portal ahead of time so you can find them instantly.

Speak with your school or college

If you have genuine concerns about your predicted grades, have an honest conversation with your teachers or tutors before results day. They understand your academic performance and can offer realistic guidance. They can also explain the timeline and process for requesting a remark or an appeal if your final results are unexpectedly low.

Reflect on what you actually want

Use these weeks to consider whether the plans you made months ago still align with your goals. Personal interests develop over time, and the subject that excited you in January might feel different now.

If you do enter Clearing, look at it as an opportunity to explore new paths. Many students discover excellent alternative routes through Clearing that lead exactly where they were meant to be.

Complete practical tasks early

Take care of administrative preparations over the coming weeks to stay ahead of the crowd:

• Apply for student finance: You can submit your student finance application before your university place is confirmed.
• Explore accommodation: Research housing options at the universities on your shortlist.
• Look for open days: Check which institutions are offering late summer campus visits or virtual tours.

Find your place at the University of East London

Whether your results go exactly to plan or take you somewhere unexpected, the University of East London (UEL) welcomes students at every stage of their educational journey. Our dedicated Clearing team is ready to guide you through available courses, student support options, and campus life.

To find out more about your options and secure your place, explore courses and apply through UEL Clearing.