A team of experts from the University of Aberdeen will be on hand to provide information and advice for the thousands of Scottish school pupils who receive their exam results today (Tuesday 5 August).
Pupils who are unsuccessful in achieving the grades they require to enter their first choice university are being advised not to despair, as places are still available at the University through Clearing.
Over 40,000 people throughout the UK find a place at university or college through the Clearing system each year, providing a vital lifeline for students who have been unsuccessful in meeting the requirements for their conditional offer.
The University of Aberdeen Clearing dedicated hotline number 01224 273504 email address href="mailto:clearing@abdn.ac.uk">clearing@abdn.ac.uk</a> and website www.abdn.ac.uk/clearing, go live from 8am today. Staff will be on hand to provide essential guidance for the potential students still hoping to secure a place at university or college.
Clearing can be a daunting and confusing time for students as Rachel Sandison, Head of Student Recruitment and Admissions, University of Aberdeen explains: "Results day can be a highly emotional time full of both elation and unfortunately disappointment. The Clearing process can be important not just for those who are unsuccessful in receiving the grades they required to meet their conditional offer, but also for those who fair better than they had imagined.
"Whether you have been unsuccessful but still wish to secure a place at university, if you have excelled and want to reconsider your options, or even have had a change of heart and want to apply to university in the first instance - Clearing can help students in all of these scenarios.
"We have a team of experts at the University ready and waiting to take calls and emails and provide vital information and guidance."
Nooreen Akhtar is about to enter the third year of a Bachelor of Science in Biomedical Sciences degree at the University. Having received disappointing exam results, Nooreen was accepted to the University through Clearing, and now aspires to apply to study medicine in her final year with ambitions of becoming a surgeon.
"For me the Clearing process gave me crucial information advice and ultimately the confidence boost I needed to help me fulfil my ambitions of higher education", said Nooreen. "I had always found the whole exam process difficult. I would put in the long hours of revision but nerves would take over on the day – which resulted in disappointing grades.
"Clearing gave me a new lease of life allowing me to review my options, get into a course of my choice and follow my dreams. Within two days of contacting the team at the University of Aberdeen I had received an unconditional offer to begin a BSc in Neuroscience with Psychology. I changed courses at the end of my first year to study Biomedical Sciences and I now plan to apply for medicine. I could never have imagined that I would be on the way to fulfilling my ambition of becoming a surgeon when I opened my exam results that day – but Clearing really gave me the second chance I needed."
Rachel continues: "It is important that students considering entering Clearing approach the process as the start of a new beginning, rather than a last ditch option. Clearing presents a vital opportunity to get a second bite at the cherry in fulfilling your dreams of a higher education, and for most the outcome is extremely positive. The crucial message is be brave and pick up the phone and discover what options are out there for you."
For more information and full listings of Clearing vacancies at the University of Aberdeen visit www.abdn.ac.uk/clearing or telephone the Clearing hotline on 01224 273504. The hotline is open from Tuesday 5 August to Sunday 31August – 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm Saturday and Sunday.
The Clearing advisory team can also be contacted by email: href="mailto:clearing@abdn.ac.uk">clearing@abdn.ac.uk</a><strong>Â </strong></p>