University of Sheffield sees ‘very busy’ start to clearing after A-Level results fiasco

The University of Sheffield has revealed it saw a ‘very busy’ start to the clearing and adjustment process this year after a chaotic A-Level results day.
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Dozens of youngsters across Sheffield received their all-important A-Level results last Thursday, despite days of confusion over how they would be accurately assessed after exams were cancelled due to coronavirus.

Nearly 40 per cent saw their results downgraded due to a controversial algorithm which was subsequently scrapped after mounting pressure on the government who said grades would instead be based on teacher recommendations.

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The University of Sheffield saw a 'very busy' start to the clearing and adjustment process last weekThe University of Sheffield saw a 'very busy' start to the clearing and adjustment process last week
The University of Sheffield saw a 'very busy' start to the clearing and adjustment process last week
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For those who didn’t get the results they’d hoped for, however, there are still other options available – such as clearing, the system used by universities and colleges to fill spaces on courses that aren't yet full.

The University of Sheffield said it saw a ‘very busy start’ to the clearing and adjustment process last week, taking over 1,100 calls in the first two hours alone.

Director of admissions, Dan Barcroft, said: "Clearing and adjustment has seen a very busy start this year, with students seeing the process as a great opportunity to explore all of the options available to them.

He added: "Universities recognise the many different types of exceptional circumstances students have faced this year and will be flexible in response and at Sheffield we will do all we can to ensure that students can study on the right courses for them.

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"Clearing offers a chance for students to swap their university or course choice, start a university application for the first time at this stage or just see what places are available and where. Some school leavers may feel differently about where they want to study than they did when they made their initial application due to the impact of Covid-19."

"Students we've spoken to are really looking forward to the opportunity to study at Sheffield and we’ve been able to give them reassurance about measures in place to keep them safe, how we intend to deliver high quality teaching and the range of social opportunities that will be available to them.”

"It's really important that students considering an offer through clearing and adjustment make educated and well-informed decisions about where they want to study.”

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