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If you feel that you have a genuine reason to believe that they should still consider you, give it a go and contact them – you have nothing to lose. It is at this stage that a teacher or adviser at your school or college may be able to contact the admissions tutor on your behalf to argue your case. If you just missed a grade or if you have been carrying out related voluntary work, or fit into a widening participation category like being in the first generation of your family to go to university, or have worked through some difficult issues to get where you are now, or if your result in a subject is a real shock because all earlier indications were that you would do better - you can use factors like this to support your request. Sometimes it works! It's also a good idea to contact the university as early as possible in the process or even to visit them yourself if it’s reasonably local.

Vicky Tuck, President, the Girls' School Association, and Principal, Cheltenham Ladies' College.

Have you heard that they are definitely turning you down? It’s worth giving the university a call to see if they will be flexible. Are you in to your insurance university? If your heart is set on your first choice university, ask them if they will defer your place until next year and consider retaking and having a gap year. Are your grades consistent with predictions and how you felt you had done? If not, a rapid remark might be worth a shot.

Steve Holdcroft, head of Information, Recruitment and Admissions at Kent University:

Don't Panic! Universities will usually be able to take you even if you fall just short of your offer, first thing to do is to check your application status on UCAS Track website to see if a decision has been made on your application, your insurance choice institution may have already accepted you. If a decision is still pending from your first choice why not give the University a call to see if they can still accept you with the grades you have, they may have a similar course which they can accept you on so be prepared to be flexible.

I am devastated; I didn’t get the grades I needed for either my firm or insurance choice – what should I do?

Richard Broom:

Sit down and take a deep breath. You will need to think about your situation and how you want your future to be. And certainly, don’t panic! Making a hasty decision to accept a course or a university that you are unsure about is more than likely going to be a mistake. University staff know that this is a very difficult time for you and understand that you may be nervous or upset. We want to give you clear guidance and we want to know that you are making a well thought-out decision.

You may have to be prepared to be flexible about your choice of course, or where you go in the country, but remember, you need to know that you are going to be happy. After all you may be deciding where to spend the next three years of your life.

You will almost certainly have found out that you have not been placed by looking at your Ucas track account. Universities list their vacancies on the Ucas website first and, as there will be connections to course descriptions and university homepages, you could do nothing better than to start your search here. Once you have found a course in which you are interested then act quickly and telephone the University’s Clearing hotline number. Remember most of the action takes place in the first two or three days.

Steve Holdcroft:

Stay calm all is not lost as there are still thousands of degree places available in clearing. Act quickly and you can still find a place that is right for you. Check out the vacancy lists on the UCAS website or in the press and get on the phone to those Universities that are advertising vacancies in the area you are interested. Don't be downhearted if you are turned down by the first institution you call, make a list of contact numbers are keep on ringing round, be prepared to make your case to the Admissions Officer and if there is a reason for your underperformance be honest, it is a opportunity for you to make a lasting impression.

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