Millions of students are set to receive their A-Level results today (August 13th), and one careers expert has shared helpful advice for those needing to call universities through clearing10:20, 13 Aug 2026A-level students are receiving their results today (13th August), and those who have chosen to apply to university will be finding out whether they've been offered a place. Getting your exam results and finding out whether you've been accepted onto your chosen university course on the same day can be incredibly nerve-racking, and if you don't get the response you were hoping for, it can be devastating.‌But for A-level students who are unsuccessful in securing their university placement today, there is another avenue they can go down - university clearing. Clearing is the system that UK universities use to fill any remaining places on their undergraduate courses, and it can help students who missed grades, applied late, or changed their minds find a course that suits them. And if you choose not to go to university, you could still earn up to £50,000 with any of these jobs that don't require a traditional degree.‌Phoning a university to apply through clearing can be stressful, but one careers expert has now shared her advice on how to handle the situation, telling students not to panic, as universities will be expecting these calls.‌In a video on TikTok, Hannah Morton-Hedges, founder of Momentum Careers Advice, shared a full script that students can use when they phone their chosen university's clearing team.Hannah began by saying you don't want to "overthink" your opening lines to start the conversation, and just need to give the person on the phone your name, as well as the course you're calling about, and tell them that you'd like to see if they can give you a verbal offer.Content cannot be displayed without consent‌She said that from there, the university will know what to do, as they'll be expecting people to phone up for clearing spaces today. They should then lead the conversation from there, but you do need to have some information ready to give them.What will the university clearing team ask you?According to Hannah, you will need to provide either your clearing number or UCAS ID. She said you do not need to have a clearing number in order to be eligible to go through clearing, but if you have one, you will be asked to provide it.You will also be asked about the grades you achieved during the phone call. You should be honest about what your A-Level results were, but you should also make sure to bring up any contextual information that might be relevant, as well as any mitigating circumstances you might have had.‌Hannah claimed that at this point, they may be ready to give you a verbal offer, or they may turn you away. However, they may also ask you for more information, such as your motivations for wanting to join the course, so you should be prepared to prove that you're passionate about the subject.What happens after a clearing call?Some clearing teams will make a verbal offer to you during your phone call, but other universities may tell you they need time to consider and will email you, especially if the course is competitive.For some courses, you may even need to attend a more in-depth interview in person, particularly if the course you're applying to has lots of students all vying for the same few spots.‌At the end of the phone call, the clearing team should ask you if you have any questions, and Hannah says it's vital that you use that time to ask any clarifying questions that might ease any concerns you still have. These can include asking about accommodation, clarifying whether there are any other academic requirements, and getting clarification on whether the verbal offer will be confirmed in an email.What to do if you get denied a clearing spotIf you are unsuccessful at this point, Hannah recommends asking the clearing team if there are any similar courses that they feel you may be suitable for. They will be able to check their databases and could find you an alternative course.You can also use the UCAS Clearing tool to search for other open courses at different universities, as well as searching for similar subjects and programmes instead of sticking to your exact first-choice course.Article continues belowThere is also nothing wrong with taking a gap year and reapplying next year. If you choose to apply to university next year, you can also take the time to do a foundation course or re-sit some of your exams if you feel that might increase your chances of being accepted into university.For more information, visit the UCAS website.