University in Sunderland clearing the way for great careers

The clearing system, which opens after the A-level results are published, helps students find suitable degree courses.

And, Wearside university's team of admissions staff say they will be ready and waiting at the end of the phone lines next week when the A-level results are revealed on August 18.

Clearing is aimed at students who have not already secured their university place, but is also an opportunity for anyone who has not yet applied for university to enrol on a life-changing course in September 2016.

Anyone interested in studying at the University of Sunderland can register their interest ahead of clearing, or on the day there will be more than 50 phone lines open.

Many of the university's students who once found themselves going through the clearing process are delighted they got a second chance thanks to Sunderland.

One of them is Dr Lisa Frost, who admits that university was not right for her first time around and took a break from academia to concentrate on family life.

But, never giving up on her dream of returning to Sunderland to pursue a career in science, she contacted the admissions team during clearing.

She was accepted onto a Chemical Pharmaceutical Science degree and enjoyed the course so much, that she was motivated to take on a PhD and is now working as a full-time researcher in the university’s Faculty of Applied Sciences.

She said: "By age 25, I decided to bite the bullet, make the call to Sunderland once again and couldn’t believe how helpful the admissions team were. They gave me useful advice about the course I should take.

“Students should make that call to the clearing team, once they feel ready, they’ll be surprise at how much support is out there for you."

University Admissions Manager, Edith Wilson, said: “Clearing has established itself as a hugely important part of the application process by offering second chances to students. In some cases it can help revive ambitions and confidence which may have been knocked by lower than expected A-level results.

“If the results you get are not quite what you were expecting, our advice is not to panic. You should get in touch with us to check if you still have the offer of a place. If you have not got the grades for the course for which you applied we may be able to offer an alternative."

For more information about clearing at the University of Sunderland, and frequently asked questions, go to: http://www.sunderland.ac.uk/clearing/.