We are urging A Level students across England who are still coming to terms with the cancellation of their exams this week to brace themselves for some tough decisions.
It appears some universities are already approaching students with offers for courses at their institutions with unconditional offers to study with them.
The cancellation of the exams currently means that the traditional clearing process post A level will be suspended this year.
Instead, universities who are keen to fill their places are currently choosing their own timetables to do so and some are proactively approaching students.
While we applaud any institutions taking the initiative to secure quality students, we advise Year 13 students to focus on their university of choice and approach them now to register their firm interest in a place.
While the schools and universities are in a state of flux about what shape qualifications will take, it may well be a case of seizing the initiative pending any award of grades. University departments have always valued personal contact and a show of enthusiasm from prospective students.
Heads of Sixth Form should still be contactable if students are faced with unconditional offers now.
Students who were hoping to ‘clear up’ or adjust their university places if they secured better grades than they had been predicted, may well also feel confused at this point. We urge them to target their university of choice to register their interest.
We believe that this year will see multiple appeals to universities from schools and parents to secure children’s places at university as we move into uncharted waters.
