Clearing is now open and students across the UK are assessing their options. We caught up with Student Association President Jakob Sexton to discuss why students might apply to us through Clearing and about the support they can expect once they are here.
By Cara Fielder. Published 14 August 2020. Last updated 24 March 2023.
There are a couple of reasons that someone might apply through Clearing and most often it will be the scenario that a student hasn’t attained the grades they needed to get into their chosen universities. However, this is not always the case. Clearing gives students the opportunity to move to other institutions. Some students may decide that although they have the grades to get into their chosen universities, they may simply decide that it isn’t a choice which is right for them.
Students who come through Clearing do absolutely not have a different experience at university. It’s important to remember that no matter how your journey at university began, you will always get the same experience once your course starts. Depending on when you apply through Clearing, you may miss out on pre-induction activities but luckily these are mostly repeated for all students in the main induction week; so from day one, you can get involved just like every other student.
The first day is all about the welcome. ULaw wants to make sure all of its students feel welcome right from the start and feel part of the ULaw community. There will also be some essential talks, for example around employability and the library service, which will help you understand the tools on offer to help build your future. In light of distancing, it will be expected that some activities will be streamed, whereas face to face will take place in the smaller workshop groups; this means you’ll still get the opportunity to meet your classmates but in the safest setting possible. The first few weeks are all about the learning; at ULaw we like to hit the ground running and really get students involved with the foundations of their chosen course. During this time you will also have the opportunity to learn more about the University itself and the services available to you, for example, the Student Association.
The best thing about applying to ULaw through Clearing has got to be the team. Every year we have a dedicated Clearing team, who are all trained professionals, ready to take your calls. The team make the process as simple as possible which makes applying through ULaw Clearing an easy experience for any student.
The best way to get involved with the Student Association is by applying to be a representative. Every year we look for Vice-Presidents, Course Representatives, Liberation Officers and many more. If you are successful you will get the chance to sit on Student Parliament and provide vital feedback to the Association. We use this to enhance the student experience. If being a representative isn’t for you, you can always join and/or create a society. A society can really be whatever you want it to be. They are student-led which gives you complete flexibility and can just be a bit of fun for all.
Clearing is easier than everyone thinks. In most circumstances, if a student doesn’t get an offer from their chosen universities it may seem easier to take a year out and try again. However, this isn’t the case. Clearing at ULaw could not be easier thanks to our helpful team; we are here to secure your future and wouldn’t want to burden you with exhaustive processes during what can be a stressful time. I would always say to any student, if you have any concerns about Clearing, do not worry, we are here for you.
As cliché as it sounds, I’d tell all students applying through Clearing to keep calm and carry on. Clearing can be stressful and you will probably make more calls in one day than ever before but know that we are here to help, not to burden. I would also say think about your options logically, look at your grades and see which providers will actually accept them based on entry requirements: this gives you a higher chance of being accepted. Finally, I would say think about other options, for example, Clearing isn’t just about changing university, it could be the chance for you to change your entire course.
All our Clearing information is hosted on the ULaw website or you can find out more by emailing [email protected]. You can also read about our Study Guarantee on our website. It promises that any course which is confirmed to be delivered in September will be delivered no matter the circumstances.
At the moment, I’m not too sure what the future holds for me but I’m hoping to work in either business development or project management. ULaw has helped me in so many ways, I couldn’t even count on both hands. By completing my law degree, I learnt so many practical skills and applications; this was supplemented by other services such as the Employability Service and being a representative for the Student Association. ULaw has always been dedicated to its students’ development and I’m sure it will assist all new students starting in September 2020 the same way it did for me.
My main achievement while at ULaw was being elected as the Student Association President for the University. I was so proud to be chosen by the students to ensure representation of student voice at the highest level. Over the last year, I was dedicated, motivated and kept pushing for your voice to be heard, which allowed me to complete several successful projects. It has been a pleasure representing students and I am so proud of what I have achieved for the student body.
Discover more about applying to ULaw through Clearing.
