Northern Ireland

A-level results: What happens if you don’t get the results you hoped for?

There are many other options out there from finding alternative courses, The Open University route or an apprenticeship

Remind your child that you are proud of them regardless of their results
Remind your child that you are proud of them regardless of their results (Alamy Stock Photo)
By Suzanne McGonagle

As A-level results day approaches, students have been reminded there are alternatives to university and that grades can be appealed.

From finding another course, to repeating exams or looking at the apprenticeship route - all is not lost if you do not get the grades you were hoping for.

On August 15, students will be able to get their results online or in person from their school or college from 8am.

Ucas advice if A-level results are not what you were expecting

Admissions body Ucas says it is important to know how it works and what to expect.

- Speak to your teacher or adviser. They will be able to help you explore options and understand the next steps

- Have your application sign-in details handy

- Make sure you are available on results day to speak to Ucas or any university you are applying to

- Speak to the university or college. Your university or college may be flexible, especially if you only narrowly missed your offer.

Re-sits and re-marks

NI Direct advices that students should speak to their parents and teachers at school to seek advice.

The next step is to contact the admissions tutors for the courses you are applying to. They may ask for higher grades than their standard offer on a re-sit and may want all your grades to come from one sitting.

How to get your AS/A-levels re-marked:

Discuss it with your teachers as soon as possible. The institution where you took the exam has to decide whether to apply for a re-mark on your behalf. Each awarding body will have on their websites the procedures and deadlines.

Appeals:

If you are still unhappy, your school or college can appeal to the awarding body and if necessary, to the Independent Examinations Board.

Clearing

Clearing is the way that universities and colleges fill places that they still have on courses.

Around 30,000 courses are available through clearing. It opened on July 5 and closes on October 21 2024.

Ucas states you can use clearing if:

- You did not receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)

- You did not meet the conditions of your offers

- You decline your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application

But students need to be quick off the mark on A-level results day if they wish to study at a top university as competition for degree places will be tougher this summer.

Some top universities have just a handful of courses available through clearing, while others may have no vacancies listed.

The Open University

The Open University (OU) offers a valuable alternative to traditional university pathways. With a mission to be open to people, places, methods, and ideas, the OU provides high-quality university education to all who wish to realise their ambitions and fulfil their potential.

  • Flexibility: Study from home or anywhere with internet access. Perfect for balancing studies with work, family, or other commitments
  • Wide range of courses: From certificates to diplomas and degrees, across diverse fields such as Arts, Business, Education, Engineering, Law, Science and Technology
  • Supportive learning environment: Access to a vast range of online resources, including a personal tutor and dedicated student support teams
  • Affordable education: Competitive fees with the option to pay per module and various financial support options available, including scholarships and grants.

There are virtual open days available on the OU website providing an opportunity for students to explore courses, meet tutors and discover the support available. Requesting an online prospectus is another option.

OU also has a team of local advisers in Northern Ireland available to answer any questions or queries about OU study. Call 028 9032 3722 for a chat about any questions you may have or you can email northernireland@open.ac.uk

Further Education

Further education (FE) colleges in the north also offer more options for students with different study types, work combinations and part-time options

There are six FE colleges with 29 campuses across the north that provide access to training and qualifications.

A wide range of Higher-Level courses including Level 5 qualifications like Foundation Degrees, Higher National Diplomas as well as Higher Level Apprenticeships are available to study.

Apprenticeships

Apprenticeship programmes, many available through NI Direct, are also on offer for people aged 16 and over.

As an apprentice you will be a new or existing employee, working with experienced staff to learn and develop your skills.

Four days are usually spent on the job, while one day you will be offered ‘off-the-job’ training, which usually is on a day-release basis with a training provider, to work towards achieving vocational qualifications and Essential Skills qualifications (reading, writing, maths and computers).

Your employer will pay you for your time spent with the training provider.