Helpline and other helpful advice as exam results day dawns

With A Level results due out tomorrow (Thursday) and GCSE results next week, the Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) have opened a helpline.

It will provide advice and guidance for the many thousands of students awaiting results.

The helpline will open in the morning, (Thursday) and other results release days, from 7am, but will generally be staffed between 9am and 5pm up until Friday, August 29.
Anyone with any queries on CCEA exam results should contact. 028 9026 1260.

Students needing help can also email helpline@ccea.org.uk, or log on to www.ccea.org.uk to search for possible answers in the FAQ section.

The UCAS website also has all the information that students need to be fully prepared, whatever grades they achieve.

Applicants can log into Track on the UCAS website from 8am to see if their place has been confirmed, or if they are eligible to use Clearing – the system which matches applicants who don’t have a place with suitable vacancies.

The list of courses with vacancies in Clearing will be live from just after midnight tonight.

Universities and colleges will be keen to hear from students once they know that they are eligible for Clearing and will be able to make verbal offers to suitably qualified students from the morning onwards. Students can make their Clearing choice in Track to accept Clearing offers from 5pm.

Helen Thorne, Director of Policy and Research at UCAS said “There’ll be thousands of courses available in Clearing this year – perhaps in subjects students might not have necessarily considered, and the scheme remains open until the end of September.

“Stay positive and remember to prepare thoroughly before calling universities and colleges for an intelligent discussion about the courses you’re interested in. You’ll find all the information you need about Clearing on UCAS.com.”

Last year 495,595 people secured a place at university or college through UCAS, with a record 57,100 being accepted through Clearing.

UCAS advisers will be on hand from 7.30am tomorrow (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.

In Northern Ireland, the Careers Service has a team of professionally-qualified advisers who offer impartial careers information, advice and guidance to people of all ages. Careers advisers are based throughout the Province.

More information and details of how to contact your local careers adviser is available at the following page:

• Talk to a careers adviser

You can also call 0300 200 7820 between 9am and 5pm.

Also, with results arriving, local police are also urging students to “stay safe” when planning any post-results party nights.

A spokesperson for the PSNI in E District said: “We understand young people will want to go out and celebrate their results after all their hard work, however we have found that sometimes high spirits can go a little too far with some overindulging in alcohol and getting into trouble.

“We want to keep the number of alcohol-related incidents to a minimum and remind everyone that each of us is responsible for our own actions, even when under the influence of alcohol.

“A criminal record for assault or a public order offence can put a blight on future career prospects and could have even longer-term consequences, like affecting your eligibility to get a travel visa or gain entry to some countries.

“Don’t get caught up in the moment and let yourself be persuaded to take drugs in the name of celebration. Not only are you putting your health and future at risk, but you also face the prospect of conviction. If you are with someone who falls ill contact emergency services immediately, even if you suspect that they have taken drugs. A call for help could save a life!

“We also want to make sure anyone planning on heading out to celebrate their results puts as much thought into how they are getting home at the end of night as they do into how they are getting there and what they are wearing. It’s a good idea to have your lift home arranged or taxi pre-booked before you go out.

“It’s also important that friends look out for each other. Be responsible and stick together.

“Finally, congratulations to everyone who has got their results and if you are going out to celebrate, have a great and safe night.”

And, remember, it’s not the end of the world if you do not get the results you were expecting or had hoped for.

Anyone feeling in need of speaking to someone for support and in confidence can contact the Samaritans in Portadown on 028 3833 3555.

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