This Thursday lots of students in Ballymena will pick up their A- level results and Ballymena Today know that as some celebrate other will be stressing out about whether or not they have gotten into their University course.

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Here is some advice from UCAS which should help you through the results process especially if you have to go into the clearing process.

1/ UCAS Track (their online information system) is available from 8.00am on Thursday Morning – There is no need to get up in the middle of the night to check, so just ignore all the rumours. Track doesn’t update until the morning.

2/ You still have to get your Exam results from your school. They won’t be available online from UCAS.

3/ If you didn’t get the results you needed for your chosen courses then you go into ‘clearing’. Clearing shows courses which have vacancies and you can choose something similar to what you wanted, or in another location or something different altogether. Clearing vacancies change all the time as people take places so they can disappear and reappear.

4/ Clearing is only an option if you have received no offers or have declined all you successful offers. The video below from UCAS explains more about clearing.

UCAS also say;

UCAS advisers will be on hand from 7.30am on Thursday morning to answer questions from applicants, the number is 0371 4680468. Expert advice is also available on Twitter (@ucas_online) and Facebook (facebook.com/ucasonline)

If you don’t get the results you expected (whether higher or lower) and need advice about future options, you might also find it helpful to contact professional careers advisers on the Exam Results Helpline 0808 100 8000. The line is open from 8am on results day.

The Ballymena Today team congratulate all the students who got through their exams. Remember that you have lots of help, support and options to help you after you leave school no matter what your plans may be.