It’s been two long, hard years of battling early mornings, enduring classes, putting up with moody teachers and sleepless nights fretting about course work and exams – finally it has come to the end.

Just one tiny task left to do… take that nerve wracking step and open up your highly deserved A Level Results 2011.

Today, 18th August, is the day students all around the UK have been anxiously waiting for and dreading! It is the day the unknown is put to rest and the start of your new educational life.

With University and college places riding on students grades, it is a day that can leave you popping the champagne cork or rethinking your whole life plan.

If you are unfortunately left down hearted by your A Level cores, do not worry as there are many great options left to explore.

However, as UCAS Clearing 2011 opens today as well, with only 41,000 university places up for grabs and a predicted 325,000 estimated to apply, it is essential you are quick off the mark and get ahead of the bustling crowd.

For many there will be important questions you need to ask before applying for an alternative course, and no doubt many questions regarding the clearing process so it is imperative you know where to get the best help.

The first port of call for any questions regarding UCAS and clearing is of course contacting UCAS or the University in question directly. But despite UCAS putting more staff on the phone lines, there may be a substantial que before your questions are answered.

To make time management more efficient, whilst your are on hold, leading online UK newspaper Mirror.co.uk, have teamed up with UCAS to offer a Q&A session. This will help ensure that students and confused parents get all their questions answered.

The Mirror have arranged for UCAS adviser Beth Hayes to be live on line from 12 am on Thursday 18th August, to help advise and guide those in need.

This is her nineth year being in the front line of clearing so she really knows her stuff. Beth will also be available for chat from 6pm to 7pm later that evening for another opportunity to pick her brains on the mysterious ways the UCAS Clearing system works.

Before you reach for the phone and dial enquires or login online to fire Beth with your questions, make sure you write down all of your queries beforehand, no matter how silly you think they are.

It is essential that you have complete understanding of all areas regarding the clearing process and University or college course you are considering applying to. The decisions you make can have a monumental effect of your life and future career, so it is worth asking every question that crosses your mind.

One word of advise before you dash off to call UCAS – take time to make the correct decision.

All degree courses, with the exception of FDA’s (foundation degree courses) are full time study for three years, so it must be the correct course for you.

Choosing a course that you enjoy and one which follows your strengths, will guarantee you enjoy your educational journey and will ensure you graduate with a worth while qualification, helping you excel at what you do best in the future.

 

UCAS Clearing 2011 Contact Numbers / Helpline

UK Number: 0871 468 0 468  

From outside the UK  Number: 0044 871 468 0 468