A level results: What next?

Options after A-level

Like GCSEs, there are many other options available if your teen didn't get the grades needed or expected. Apparently only 45% of predicted grades are accurate, so your son or daughter is not alone!

Here we've outlined the options if your teen hasn't got the grades they wanted:

1. Contact the university: The uni your teen wanted to go to might still accept them - especially if their grades are only slightly lower than what they expected. Contact them directly to see if it's possible. You teen's teacher might be able to help - but it may be better if they call themselves as this will give the right impression - instead of getting you to do it for them! If your son or daughter is unsuccessful with their first choice offer, but meet the conditions for their second choice, they'll be accepted there.

2. Clearing: If you have been turned down a place at university, you automatically become eligible for Clearing. UCAS will send all eligible applicants a Clearing Passport as soon as A-level results are available. You will need to send off this form if you are offered a place. You can search for course vacancies in The Independent and Scotsman newspapers and on the UCAS website. You need to telephone universities or colleges direct to try to gain a place.

Students can also call UCAS on 0870 1122211 to discuss their application or get advice on clearing, or visit the UCAS website for more information . If you have hearing difficulties, you can call RNID Typetalk Service on 18001 0870 11 22211 from within the UK or on +44 151494 1260 from outside the UK. (Information supplied by UCAS.)

3. Resit or take another course: If their A-level results aren't good enough to get them into uni, they could consider resitting their exams or taking another course to get the UCAS points.

More often than not people do better in resits but it might not be worth it if the chances of improvement are low, so your teen may want to discuss the matter further with a teacher.

Get more information on what other qualifications are available from the Qualifications and Curriculum Development Agency

4. Do an apprenticeship: Getting paid while you learn might sound too good to be true - but as an apprentice you really will get the best of both worlds. If your teen wants to enter the workplace but doesn't want to stop studying then an apprenticeship could be the answer. There are now over 180 different apprenticeships available across 80 different sectors. You don't even have to stop once you've completed an Advanced Apprenticeship - you can go on to do a Foundation Degree. You can search and apply for an Apprenticeship vacancy online by location or interest using the links at the bottom of this page.

5. Take a gap year: If the idea of further education makes your child run for the hills then maybe suggesting a gap year would help. Giving them time to think about what they want to do next is sometimes the best option instead of rushing in to what could be a life changing decision.

Remember, if your teen hasn't got what they expected, it's not the end of the world - and could even work out for the best, as 22-year-old Emma Maguire found out after she got her A-level results:

I was really upset when I didn't get the grades I wanted for uni. At first I didn't want to go through clearing but I picked up The Times newspaper the same day as I got my results and there were lots of places. I ended up with a place on a Law degree and came out of it with a 2:1! I couldn't have been happier.

I'm now going to do the extra training I need to become a solicitor. I'm really happy I ended up at the uni I went to as I made loads of great friends, joined the netball team and had loads of fun too!

It's certainly not the end of the world if you don't get what you want - clearing is a great way to find places, so my advice is - go for it!

More help and advice

Further advice on A-levels and getting in to university
UCAS website

More advice on Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships in England
Apprenticeships in Wales
Apprenticeships in Northern Ireland
Apprenticeships in Scotland

Where to next?

Helping your teens: 4 ways to turn failure into success
Help your kids deal with disappointment
Advice on exploring your child's career options
More help and advice for parents of teenagers

By Ceri Pugh