Exam results do not determine whether students use Ucas Clearing, new research finds

For free real time breaking news alerts sent straight to your inbox sign up to our breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails Sign up to our free breaking news emails SIGN UP I would like to be emailed about offers, events and updates from The Independent. Read our privacy policy Students’ exam results do not determine whether they use the Ucas Clearing system or not, according to new research. Only half of recent undergraduates who applied through Clearing said they did so because they missed the grades required for their first choice course, quashing the overwhelming view expressed by over three quarters - 77 per cent - of Year 13s who cite this as the reason they may apply through Clearing. “Students now apply through Clearing for a whole raft of different reasons - many not even associated with exam results at all.” Somewhat worryingly, though, almost a third - 31 per cent - of Year 13s perceived missing the Ucas deadline as a reason to enter the Clearing process. Students also expressed to TSR a sense of embarrassment at having to use Clearing; when asked if they would tell their peers if they got in via the system, 48 per cent responded ‘no’, fearing they would be seen as “stupid” or “inferior.” A further 19 per cent said Clearing is “for people who are desperate to still get into university.” Regarding employment prospects, LSBU said there is little or no difference between those who applied through Clearing and those who did not; 70 per cent of recent LSBU graduates who applied through Clearing are in employment or further study six months after graduation, compared to 69 per cent of LSBU graduates who did not apply through Clearing - a difference of just one per cent in favour of Clearing applicants.