300 staff take to the clearing hotline at Northumbria University for A level results day

The clearing hotline at Northumbria University has been ringing off the hook today (August 14), as students across the country get their A-level results.

Students looking to go to university this September will be weighing up their options and trying to find a degree program that suits their future aspirations.

Northumbria has 300 staff on the lines of their clearing hotline and will take approximately 5000 calls from students looking to secure their places today.

The university’s recent study on clearing found that more than a third of parents have concerns about their children going to university, with costs and a lack of contact being the biggest sources of worry.

Helen Bower, assistant marketing director with responsibility for undergraduate recruitment and clearing at Northumbria University, said: “Our advice to those who’ve received their A level results is not to panic.

“This is a great opportunity to carefully consider what direction you want to take, and we have a dedicated team available in our clearing centre to help students make the right decision and support them in preparing for university life.

“We know that this is a worrying time for parents too – our research found that 58% of parents hadn’t heard of clearing, so they will be unable to give their children a steer on what their options are.

“That’s why it’s so important for students to put calls into their chosen universities to access the knowledge and resources they need to find their future path.”