Dai has headed Clearing for the University Greenwich, and its three campuses at Chatham Maritime, Medway, Maritime Greenwich and Avery Hill, for the past seven years. And he admits that it can be hard to help aspiring students, and their families and friends, to stay calm in the face of the initial upset. “There are many reasons why A-level grades may not meet either the student’s expectations or those required for a specific chosen degree course. In fact, up to 25 per cent of university places in the UK are filled through the Clearing process. “Students, and their supporters, have to try and remember that actually there are more university places available across the country than there are students to fill them,” he said. “There really is absolutely no need to panic, or to accept the first course or university place on offer just out of fear of not finding a place for the start of the academic year.” For Dai the key to succeeding with Clearing is detailed research – finding out everything about a course, and the university where it is being held, before even applying for a place or accepting an offer. “Finding alternative courses is not usually too much of a problem for students with a very clear view of what and where they want to study. “However, the vast majority of people need to take a few days to think about the courses they want to follow in detail and the sort of university they want to study at. “Researching colleges and courses in depth on the Internet is now very simple while schools are good sources of information and support. “Students should only start picking up the phone or contacting universities offering places when they have gathered all the information they can and have clarified the questions they want to ask. “That way they will really be able to benefit from the advice and information available from the Clearing centre teams. “And, when they receive an offer they have up to two weeks to make a decision. They should make every effort to visit the university campus, taking along friends and family if possible, and make sure that they feel it is somewhere they will be comfortable as a student for three or even four years. This means being considering all aspects of student life including potential accommodation and social activities as well as the academic content.” | "Our phone lines are open from August 18 – the first day of clearing. We expect to take more than 3,000 phone calls on the first day alone." | | Dai Hall, Head of Clearling |
Dai speaks with some knowledge having talked to hundreds of potential students seeking university places and being turned down from one course he personally applied for as a student. “I thought I was doing well and I explained why I wanted to study that course at that university. I even talked in some depth about the particular subject area I was interested in. Unfortunately, I had not done my homework. I was turned down and only later discovered that the course I had applied for did not cover the subject I had talked about at all. “At the University of Greenwich Clearing Centre we have more than 100 people – academics, advisers and students – staffing the phones. They have lots of information and advice but they can really only assist people who know what they want to study.” Taking time out to think about options after receiving A-level results can also make Clearing slightly simpler. “Our phone lines are open from August 18 – the first day of clearing. We expect to take more than 3,000 phone calls on the first day alone and 29,000 calls before the start of term. “At peak times – such as lunchtime on August 18 – there may be a few delays getting through just as a result of the sheer weight of numbers. “Waiting until early evening or calling after the first day of Clearing means that our advisers will have even more time to talk through all the options available.” Dai believescClearing is one of the most exciting and most satisfying times in the academic calendar. “Everyone gets involved – we are helping people gain the places they want. In addition, of course, it is not only school leavers with A-levels who use the Clearing system. “Clearing is open to absolutely everyone wanting to start a university course this year. Many mature students applying to the University of Greenwich do not have traditional academic qualifications but have many vocational skills and experiences, which they will bring to their studies. | 
