UCAS Clearing 2024 — Keep calm, there are other options!

UCAS Clearing is upon us.

Once you’ve finished college, the road to higher education isn’t always smooth!

UCAS Clearing is the process where you may still be able to get a uni spot even if you didn’t get an offer or missed your conditional offer grades. However, places aren’t guaranteed and universities will still pick and choose students. So, unfortunately, there’s still a chance you might not get in...

So, what now?

You’ve got three options:

1. Go back to college and retake your A-Levels
2. Look at other options
3. Panic 

Obviously, as an Apprenticeship provider, we’re here to give you the lowdown on how Apprenticeships can be a valuable alternative to university. I know you’re probably thinking, “But I want a degree,” but hear me out!

Some Apprenticeship courses mirror what you’d study at Uni, but offer a wage too, and, if you’re more of a hands-on learner, they might be better suited to you!

Of course, you’ll still get a qualification at the end, and employers do love them! Depending on the level, they can be equivalent of A-Levels, first year of uni, right up to Level 7 Masters degrees. Plus, you’ve got the hands-on experience that employers love and you’ll be able to apply your knowledge to real situations. 

But how much does an Apprenticeship cost?

The simple answer is, nothing. Your employer and the Government will pay the costs associated with your training, so you won't be thousands of pounds in student debt and you’ll be getting paid whilst you’re studying.

Does taking an Apprenticeship mean you'll never go to Uni?

An Apprenticeship is just one or two years of your life. Use it to learn while you earn and get experience in the working world. If you still want to go to Uni afterwards, you have plenty of time to do it! And, what's best about it? You can figure out what degree you really want to pursue. You won't be going just because everyone is, you will have a goal.

If you don't want to go to Uni after, or not straight away, the good news is, when you finish your Apprenticeship, you often land a job right there with the same company. You don't have to stress about job hunting – you'll already have one with a company you know!

Keep calm and Clearing on!

Clearing doesn't have to be a stress fest. Embracing the Apprenticeship path means embracing a world of possibilities. So, take a deep breath, put on a smile, and consider the Apprenticeship route to a debt-free and fulfilling future.

You've got this, and we're cheering you on every step of the way! 🌟

Find your path with Firebrand

For the past 13 years in a row, we’ve been named one of the Top 20 IT Training Companies in the World.

We specialise in accelerated courses that help you become competent, confident, and certified at twice the speed.

We were the first Apprenticeship provider to adopt the new Digital Standards and, four years ago, the first training provider inducted into the WorldSkills UK Excellence programmes.

Could one of our standards be right for you?

See all our Apprenticeship standards.