University clearing: Q and A

With the rush to get a university place before new rules on tuition fees kick in next year, it has been a hectic and sometimes stressful A-level results day for many teenagers.

The website which confirms places for students was so busy it went offline earlier, as thousands scrambled for places. It is now back up and running.

Johnny Rich (@JohnnySRich on Twitter) is an education and careers specialist. He’s been answering your questions on clearing via @channel4news Twitter.

@KateGL: My son has A* Maths, distinction PreU Phys, Merit in PreU Chem B for Bio. Has been declined by Imperial. Now what?

JR: Look around to see if there’s anything else that seems like what he wants to do. If not, take a year out, take stock & maybe try Imperial again.

@Rowey20:  In order to go for clearing, students are expected to give up their second choice insurance offer first - why?

JR: You can only hold 2 choices before the results. The idea is you’d want to go to either. If u find u don’t, clearing is last resort.

@snuggleskunk: The question about the website is essential. Surely they couldn't have been surprised by the number of people logging on?

JR: It is embarrassing for Ucas, but Track isn’t an essential part of the site. You can ask your uni direct if your place is confirmed.

@marciaskints: can you still apply for a place through clearing if you've been accepted by your back up?

JR: If they’ve accepted you, you can withdraw (turning them down) and enter clearing. A bit risky.

@sh52mjh: Why isn't there a button for "I'll go anywhere that'll have me"? Or "Any course in this subject area"?

JR: Like people, unis want to know you really want them, not that they’re a make-do option. If that’s your attitude, uni may not be right for you.

@Alice_Maguire: Will universities being taking into consideration mistakes that exam boards have made on delivering the correct results?

JR: It depends on the circumstances. You’d have to ask the uni dept personally.

@MatofKilburnia: I got an A in politics and a C in English Lit in 1994 and I haven't applied for uni, what are my chances in clearing?

JR: Not bad, but they’d be better if u apply next year through the normal process.Presumably you’ve got other life experiences.

Adam M Ali: What's the situ for mature students, who haven't applied through Ucas?

Not strictly speaking eligible to go through clearing – but that doesn’t mean they can’t approach universitiess directly. It’s still better to apply through Ucas next year if they can afford to wait.

@DeBenemene: Terrible that some subjects are not worthy to get u into uni now. Art, DT & Hist.ofArt got me into a BA, MA & PhD...

JR: Unis all differ. Some take different attitudes. It also depends what you want to study.

@FaheemMahmood: Is it rare for courses that are said to be unavailable by the universities to come into clearing if people don't accept them?

JR: I’m afraid it is pretty rare.

Johnny Rich runs Push – the independent guide to student life – at push.co.uk.