Don’t panic
Getting lower predicted grades than you’d hoped for can feel discouraging, especially if you had your heart set on certain courses or universities. But it doesn’t mean you’ve missed your chance to start university this September – it just means you may need to pause, rethink and explore your options.
First, take a breath. Predicted grades don’t mean final results. Speak to your teachers – they can offer advice and guidance on revision and ways to help you improve. You might still be able to meet the entry requirements of your preferred courses.
Next steps
If you don’t receive any offers, UCAS Extra gives you another opportunity to find a place at university. If you’re eligible, this option will appear in your UCAS Hub. You apply for one course at a time, where places are still available. If you don’t receive or accept an offer, you can continue to apply for other courses until the deadline in June.
After UCAS Extra closes, you still have a chance to secure a place through Clearing. Clearing opens on results day and is your last chance to start university this academic year. You can plan ahead to apply through Clearing on the day or wait to see your final exam results first. It can be a great option if you didn’t get the results you were hoping for, changed your mind about your course or university, are late in applying to university, or even did better than you expected and want to explore other opportunities.
Your options are still open
Lower predicted grades might not be what you expected, but they’re not the end of your university plans. There are still options available – keep an open mind, explore what works best for you and you’ll find the right path forward.
