My experience applying to study at university through Clearing was easier than I anticipated.
During Clearing, my emotions were high, I was overwhelmed and confused. Clearing can be very competitive so I was already losing hope. Truthfully, I wanted to give up going to university but as soon as I spoke to one of the admissions team, my anxiety reduced.
When I called, I immediately asked to be transferred to the admissions team. The admissions officer was so helpful, they asked me about the course I am interested in and gave me options in case the course I wanted was not available. After calling the Clearing phoneline, I was given some time before accepting the offer.
Afterwards, it was smooth sailing. They guided me through the next process of Clearing. I must say one of UCLan’s greatest attributes is communication. They always answered my calls and transferred me to the right team and answered my questions.
"One tip I would give to people going through Clearing is to call on results day. I would suggest calling very early in the morning, especially if there is a particular course you would like to study. This is because it works with first come, first served basis."
I would also suggest looking at the different courses UCLan offer the day before results day to help narrow your options. This will aid the process, making it quicker to get on the course you want. Also, ask to speak to someone from that specific course admission team so you can ask as many questions as possible about the course.
If you are still not sure about UCLan after getting your offer, I would suggest taking a quick trip down to Preston. You could book a campus tour of the university, acclimatise yourself to the environment and how studying here feels and looks like. I would also suggest speaking to a current student, alumni or colleague here to also get various opinions of the university.
Top tips for Clearing
- Research the different courses UCLan offer the day before results day so you are prepared
- Call early on results day, especially if there is a particular course you would like to study
- Ask to speak to someone from that specific course admission team so you can ask lots of questions about the course
- If you want to see what UCLan is like book a campus tour
Personally, I love studying at UCLan. It has a perfect balance of academic and social life. I love the peace that surrounds Preston, helping me to be calm during a hectic term. Once I feel like I am bored of Preston, I could just hop on a train to go to a different city as Preston has trains that go to the major high life cities.
If you are the person that likes a quiet and private life but also enjoys a great social life, then I recommend UCLan.
