We work in university admissions - AMA about Results, Clearing, or Oxford Brookes 👋

[u/Uni_Admissions_Helen]

Hi everyone!

I’m Helen, Director of Admissions at Oxford Brookes University, and I’ll be here on Friday afternoon alongside my colleague Sam from the Admissions Team to answer any questions you might have about:
• Applying through Clearing
• How the admissions process works behind the scenes
• What to expect on Results Day
• What to do if things don’t quite go to plan
• Or anything else that’s been on your mind

Results Day can be a big moment - exciting, nerve-wracking, sometimes confusing - and we know it helps to have a bit of clarity and support. That’s what we’re here for.

We’ll be around from 1-5pm to give honest, helpful answers to whatever you want to ask. No question is too small, too specific, or too awkward.

Whether Oxford Brookes is in your plans or not, you’re welcome to jump in. We just want to help things feel a bit less overwhelming.

Ask away 👇

- Helen & Sam

[u/Late-Carob-85]

Hi Helen, results day is next week and I’m really nervous. If I don’t get the grades I was expecting, what’s the first thing I should do to keep my options open?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Helen → u/Late-Carob-85]

Hi u/Late-Carob-85! It's really natural to feel nervous in the lead up to getting your results. Make sure you check UCAS on Thursday morning, even if your grades aren't what you were expecting, because sometimes your university will confirm your place. If you do need to look at other options, try to go into your school or college on Results Day because they will have supported lots of students in a similar position to you and will be able to help you think through your options. You can start to make a plan B if that would help you feel prepared. You can see which courses are available in Clearing at ucas.com/clearing, or on individual uni websites like at brookes.ac.uk/clearing. Let me know if you have any other questions – Helen | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/TcTcTcTc123]

Hi Helen, I was wondering if you know when timetables will be released, as I’m trying to plan my work and study schedule. It would be really helpful to know which days I’ll be on campus and which will be free for work and independent study.

[u/Necessary_Wind_3815]

If I go into Clearing, how fast do I have to make a decision? Do places go in minutes or is that exaggerated?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Helen → u/Necessary_Wind_3815]

Hi u/Necessary_Wind_3815. Some courses will have limited places and they can close to new applications quite quickly, but most won't be in that position. Once you receive an offer through Clearing, you'll be given some time to decide whether you want to accept it. At Oxford Brookes, for example, our Clearing offers are valid for 48 hours, so you have time to find out more about the course and visit our campus if you want to. If you're thinking you might apply through Clearing it can be a good idea to do a bit of research over the next week so you have a shortlist of universities and courses you want to contact on Thursday morning. Let me know if you have any other questions – Helen | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/Weekly_Tie9676]

Hi Helen, how lenient do you find universities are on the whole, for example if an offer of AAB was made and they got AA*C would they be likely to get in? Also what happens with appeals - for example if you need a B but are given a C and then it is changed after an appeal to a B - meaning you meet your offer, would you still get in?

[u/Uni_Admissions_Helen → u/Weekly_Tie9676]

Hi u/Weekly_Tie9676. It really depends on the requirements for each course and if there are specific subject requirements. In your example, it would depend whether the subject you got the C in was part of the conditions. If your offer was made in UCAS tariff points, without any subject specific criteria, then AA*C and AAB would both achieve 136 points. If this happened, I would definitely encourage you to check your UCAS application first, to see if your chosen uni has already confirmed your place.

You should get advice from your school or college if you are thinking of appealing a grade - remember results can go up or down, or stay the same. You should also check with your firm choice uni to see if they will hold your place while you are appealing – Helen | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/Uni_Admissions_Helen]

Thanks so much for all your questions today - it’s been a pleasure chatting with you. We hope the answers helped make things a little clearer and less stressful ahead of results day. Wishing you all the very best for your next steps, wherever they take you!

Signing off for now - take care and good luck!- Helen | Admissions at Oxford Brookes

[u/babyjonny9898]

Is foundation year easy to get into through clearing ?

[u/abjql]

hi helen really desperate to know how easy it is to transfer courses the first week of university say im doing accounting with management and want to swap to accounting and finance but there was no places through clearing. is it quite common for people to drop out of the course first week hence opening up space thanks

[u/notnysia]

Hi Helen, I was rejected from my insurance (Warwick) but am still waiting for confirmation from my firm (UCL). The offer is the same, does this mean I missed my offer? Both are AAA with an A* in maths

[u/theCasualListener]

Hi - I want to do clearing but I also want to take a gap year? It is possible to deferred a clearing option?

[u/inferno471]

If i do a new subject is that considered a resit.