The time difference in getting results means that many students in the UAE have an advantage in receiving their results before their UK, and many other UAE, counterparts. If students miss the terms of the offer from their first-choice university, this means they can access the limited number of places available at top British universities in Clearing early and, in theory, “mop them up” up to a week before UK students. and many UAE students.
The same applies to students who get better than the results predicted for them and who want to now access “better” universities, or degree subjects.
Students sitting Cambridge International Examinations received their AS and A Level results on June 10th.
It may seem unfair, even unethical, but our advice is to drop everything in both cases and get into the Clearing system as fast as you can after receiving your results. You should already have prepared for both eventualities and know already your alternative “best case” alternatives in both eventualities.
For other students, the advice to acting quickly, holds true. If you miss your grades, or achieve higher grades and want to switch course or university, every minute counts in securing a place in the queue for Clearing.
Many UK universities are openly advertising this advantage of getting to Clearing early to attract international applications – in the hope of pulling in high overseas student fee income. But… the benefits of early access to Clearing are, theoretically at least, equally available to students in the UAE with home fees status.
UCAS is reporting too that significantly more places and options are being made available to international students – again because of the hope to secure valuable international student fee income. Many Russell Group Universities, the UK’s Telegraph broadsheet reports, are making available degree courses not even being advertised in Clearing to students in the UK.
In a year in which results are predicted to fall dramatically, these two advantages, whatever their ethics, should be welcomed by UAE students and their families – and acted upon. Fast.
Further information
Read about the history of grade inflation in British education and the impact of the Covid. Learn how this year’s results could impact on girls more than boys. Read about both here.
Join us for GCSE, BTEC and A Level Exams Week. British School Exams Week on SchoolsCompared.com begins on Wednesday 16th August 2023 and continues through to Friday 25th August 2023.
See how the UK’s Daily Mail is reporting this story here.
Read the Telegraph’s reporting of the story here.
Learn about the official position on GCSE, BTEC and A Level Results in 2023 here.
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