What To Do When You Don’t Get The Grades You Want
When you’ve finished your A-Level exams, the relief is unimaginable. But then, seven or eight weeks later, it’s results day. Soon enough, you’re back at school or college, opening a brown envelope with your future inside.
And sometimes, your exam results aren’t quite as good as you were expecting. It happens. If this is true for you, there’s one very important thing to remember - this is just a small blip, and you still have so many options.
We’re here to help you figure those options out and work out what to do next. So let’s break it down…
Make peace with your results
First things first, don’t panic! It’s okay to feel a bit lost and sad when your results didn’t match your expectations. Remember, there’s always a solution or another path to take.
If you need to, take a few days to process the news. It’s always better to wait a little bit to avoid making any rash decisions about your future. Spend time with your family and friends, go to the cinema, go for a walk… It will help you keep your mind busy while the news sinks in.
That's not to say that if you're right on the edge of a grade boundary that you shouldn't contest it. It's worth asking for a remark if you're super close to the next level.
What are my options?
Now that you’ve taken some time to process your results, it’s time to think about the different options available to you. If you’d applied to university, but didn’t get the required A-Level grades, it doesn’t mean your hopes of going to university are over.
Here are three options to consider:
Clearing
If your firm or insurance choices didn't work out, Clearing is worth exploring - your first move is to search for universities still accepting students on courses similar to what you originally applied for.
The course you had your heart set on might be full, but related subjects could cover much of the same ground. If you applied for Psychology, for example, a university might still have spaces on Behavioural Science or Psychology with Counselling - courses that could align just as well with your goals and even allow you to specialise earlier on. Just the same as if you mainly wanted to do a Business and Management degree for the marketing elements, you could just enrol on a marketing course to begin with - you’d be surprised at how many different variations of very similar courses there are.
Think broadly about subject areas rather than fixating on an exact course title. Use the UCAS Clearing search tool to browse open courses, and don't hesitate to call universities directly - admissions teams are there to help, and an informed phone call can give you all the reassurance you need when your exams didn’t go to plan.
Apply for an Apprenticeship
If you’re thinking of scrapping university altogether and those £9,250-a-year tuition fees, why not apply for an apprenticeship? An apprenticeship is a real job. And they’re a great next step after school or college.
You can earn while you learn, get industry-recognised qualifications and gain experience with employers in different industries across the country. Gone are the days where apprenticeships were only for those interested in going into the trades.
LEARN MORE ABOUT APPRENTICESHIPSWhat industries can you do an apprenticeship in?
You can now find apprenticeships in all industries, from engineering to law, accountancy to banking. There are apprenticeships designed for students of different ages, interests and qualifications.
How long do they last?
Some schemes last for three to four years, others last up to five years and lead to a tuition-free degree.
If you’ve already applied to one or several apprenticeships but didn’t receive an offer, don’t panic either. Keep an open mind to try to broaden your options as much as you can.
For example…
If you didn't get into your first choice company, apply for similar apprenticeships with other employers
If there is only one employer you want to work for, try applying to similar apprenticeship schemes across other areas of the business
Take a gap year
Maybe you need a bit more time to process all the different options available to you. In that case, have you thought of taking a gap year?
It’s not a decision you can make on a whim, but it might be the right choice for you. A gap year is an opportunity to:
Travel, volunteer and/or learn a new language
Get some work experience abroad
Take more time to apply for apprenticeships or university
There are lots of projects you can get involved with on your gap year. You could volunteer at an elephant sanctuary in Thailand. Teach English to schoolchildren in the Philippines. Or offer humanitarian, community and conservation support in Europe.
Check out these companies to help you plan your gap year:
What are my next steps?
Here's the thing: setbacks can be tough to handle, especially at the beginning of your adult life. But with time you'll learn how to deal with them and turn them into something positive.
Who can I speak to about my results?
If you’re feeling stressed and need someone to talk to, we recommend you call the Exam Results Helpline UK.
Open from the 16th to 30th August for both A-Level and GCSE students, the helpline offers support and guidance to those who have received lower grades than expected.
Resits
If you’d like to find out what options are available to you, including resits and remarks, please call the helpline from 8am – 10pm (seven days a week) on 0800 100 900 to speak with a professional career advisor. They will be more than happy to help.
Whatever path you choose, remember that your grades don't define you or limit what you can achieve. This moment is just the beginning of your journey, and there are so many exciting opportunities ahead.
I'm Grace, Marketing Executive here at Higherin! I recently graduated with a Business Degree from Bournemouth University, and have returned as a graduate after completing my placement year with Higherin. I'm here to share real insights into placements, student struggles, and now graduate life. I've been there, so I know how to ensure you get the help and support you need to achieve your career goals.
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