EMOTIONS always run high on exam results day. While many students will be jumping for joy, others will be wondering what to do next if they didn’t get the grades they were hoping for. The key thing to remember, however, is not to panic as all universities offer places through clearing, which mean students could still be able to follow their dreams. Northumbria University is providing a range of services to give guidance to students receiving their A-level results today. A special Clearing 2007 online service is already available for students at www.northumbria.ac.uk, providing information on course vacancies available in clearing and indicating the likely requirements needed for entry. Northumbria will be running its popular clearing hotline today and throughout next week. The hotline will be open until 6.30pm this evening and from 8.30am to 6.30pm tomorrow. The line will then be open from 10am to 2pm on Saturday and between these times from Monday, August 20 to Friday, August 24. Students should note that the line will be closed on Sunday. Specially trained staff are manning the lines and are ready to discuss the range of options available and, where appropriate, will be able to refer callers to subject specialists. Online information on the Clearing 2007 webpage will also be updated regularly to reflect changes in vacancies. In addition, a clearing open day will be held on Saturday between 10am and 2pm in Rutherford Hall, Ellison Building, on the Newcastle City Campus. Prospective students can meet representatives from a wide range of academic schools and subjects to discuss their needs and the options open to them. Wherever possible, potential students will be made an offer on the day. Potential applicants will have the opportunity to take part in campus tours on the day and staff from the Access Guidance Centre, Student Services, the Accommodation Office, the Students’ Union and Sport Northumbria will be present to provide advice, guidance and information on life at the university. Norma Urquhart, Northumbria University’s education liaison manager, said: “Receiving A-Level results can be a very nerve-racking experience and unfortunately some students may be disappointed when they don’t receive the results they are hoping for. There may also be students who achieve better grades than predicted who may want to review their options. “There will also be people who find that their situation has changed and those who will want to find out more information on how they can move forward and find out more about a university education. “It’s important to remember that all is not lost and that we will do our utmost to show everyone that there is still a wide range of opportunities open to them. We offer such a wide range of courses that should their first option be full, there may well be related courses which do have vacancies.” She added: “Our admissions staff have been specially trained to give students specialist advice. All you need to do is pick up the phone, visit our website or come along to the open day. We are here to help you; all we need you to do is take the first step.” For further information on the clearing open day, or to get through to the hotline, call (0191) 243 7243. --------------------------------------------------------- WHAT is clearing and how does it work? Clearing is used by applicants who have not managed to secure a place at university or college for the current year. It can help people to find suitable vacancies on higher education courses and more than 30,000 people gain a place during clearing every year. A list of all vacancies in clearing across the country will be displayed on the website, www.ucas.ac.uk, from today to September 17. Vacancy listings will be updated continually throughout the clearing period so students can be sure they have the most up-to-date details. Only applicants who are eligible can apply through clearing. You are eligible for clearing if you have applied in the current application year and if: you have not withdrawn your application; you hold no offers; your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the conditions (for example, you have not achieved the required grades); you have declined your offers or not responded by the due date; your offers have not been confirmed, and you have declined any alternative offers from the same university; you have applied after June 30. If UCAS received your application after these dates, it will not have sent it to any universities and colleges. If you only made a single choice on your original application and you were unsuccessful or declined the offer, you can pay a further £10 and apply to other universities and colleges through clearing. You can pay by credit or debit card, or by phoning 0870 112 2211. Alternatively, you can send a cheque for £10 made payable to UCAS Applications Account with a letter asking to enter clearing. The address is Customer Service Unit, UCAS, Rosehill, New Barn Lane, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, GL52 3LZ. | 
Northumberland
