If results day doesn’t go to plan, it can feel like everything has changed at once. But a set of grades you weren’t expecting isn’t the end of the road. It’s a moment that opens a few different paths, and you have more time to choose between them than it feels like on the day itself.
Take a moment before deciding anything
Results day can feel fast and emotional, but very few decisions on that day are as urgent as they seem. UCAS deliberately builds in a pause: you can only add one Clearing choice from 1pm. That gives you the morning to think, talk to people you trust, and compare options rather than react in the moment. Universities expect these conversations, and they don’t expect instant answers either. Give yourself permission to sit with it for a few hours before you commit to anything.
Consider whether a review or remark makes sense
If you’ve narrowly missed your grades, contact the university to ask about your options. It’s also worth speaking to your school or college about a priority review of your marking. Keep in mind that grades can go down as well as up on review, and universities don’t have to hold a place open while a review takes place. This route works best when the margin is small and you have a specific reason to think a grade was misjudged. It isn’t a default first step.
Explore Clearing properly, not as a last resort
Clearing exists for exactly this situation, and it’s a genuine route to a course and university you’ll be glad you chose. Roughly one in ten UK students get their place this way every year, including plenty who ended up somewhere they wouldn’t have considered otherwise. A Clearing call is a conversation, not an interview. Universities are trying to find students who fit their courses, and you’re trying to find the right course for you. Having a short list of alternatives ready, even a rough one, makes those calls far less daunting. Our guide to how Clearing works covers the process step by step, including key dates and what to expect from the calls themselves.
Weigh up a gap year or resits honestly
University this year may be the right call, but it isn’t the only one. Resitting a qualification, taking a degree apprenticeship, or having a gap year and reapplying next cycle are all valid routes. None of them is a step backwards. If you’re considering reapplying next cycle, know that UCAS Extra can also come into play before Clearing opens, depending on your circumstances. The right choice depends on why the day went the way it did. A difficult exam period, a subject that wasn’t the right fit, or simply wanting more time are all reasonable reasons to pause rather than push straight into Clearing.
Talk to someone before you commit
Whichever direction you’re leaning, talk it through with someone before you finalise anything — a parent, a teacher, or a friend who isn’t in the middle of their own results day. They can’t make the decision for you, but a second perspective often makes the options feel clearer rather than more overwhelming. If you’d rather someone else speak to universities on your behalf, you can update your nominated access in UCAS Hub to allow this.
Remember what this day actually is
Results day is a significant milestone, but it isn’t a final judgement on what you’re capable of. Whatever happens today, there’s a path forward. Most students who take a different route than planned still end up exactly where they belong.
Frequently asked questions
What are my options if I don’t get the grades I need?
The main routes are Clearing, a review or remark of your grades, resitting your qualification, a degree apprenticeship, or taking a gap year and reapplying next cycle. All are valid, and the right one depends on your circumstances.
Should I ask for a remark or review of my grades?
It’s worth considering if you’ve narrowly missed your requirements, but remember grades can go down as well as up, and universities don’t have to hold a place while a review takes place.
Is Clearing a bad option if things didn’t go to plan?
No. Roughly one in ten UK students use Clearing to get their place every year. It’s a genuine route into university, not a fallback for students who’ve failed at anything.
Do I have to decide everything on results day itself?
No. UCAS builds in a pause before you can add a Clearing choice, and you don’t have to accept an offer the moment you receive it. Take time to think it through.
What if I’d rather take a gap year than go through Clearing?
That’s a completely valid choice. You can decline your offers and reapply in a future UCAS cycle, using the time to work, travel, or explore other options first.
