Clearing Success Stories
Many students secure a place to study at Aberystwyth University through Clearing every year. Here is one of our students' experience of going through the Clearing process and choosing Aberystwyth as their place to study.
Effie: BA English and Creative Writing
"Looking back, I’m so glad I took that leap. What began as a stressful period of uncertainty turned into a positive and transformative experience, and Aberystwyth has truly become a place where I feel I belong. "
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Initially, I applied to study French and European History at other universities, but things didn’t go as planned. I struggled during my A-levels and didn’t get the grades I’d hoped for in two subjects. As a result, I was rejected from every university I applied to. It was a very disappointing and uncertain time for me.
What first attracted me to Aberystwyth was the beauty of the town itself. The setting was so stunning that I decided to look into what courses were available to me through Clearing. I came across the Creative Writing course, and the poetry aspect particularly intrigued me. Wanting to learn more, I booked a Clearing Visit and brought my mum along for support.
The visit was crucial for my decision-making. We both thoroughly enjoyed the day; it was incredibly informative and reassuring. Speaking with staff from various departments helped me understand my options and made me feel more confident about making a new start.
Accommodation was one of my main concerns. I asked about disability-accessible accommodation and received a wealth of helpful information. I was advised to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which ultimately allowed me to secure a place in Fferm Penglais which was much better suited to my needs.
Like any major change, starting the course was challenging at first. But this had more to do with my own anxieties than with the course content. Since switching from French and Creative Writing to English and Creative Writing, I’ve found my studies much more enjoyable and engaging. The support I’ve received from staff and fellow students at Aberystwyth has been instrumental in helping me overcome those initial hurdles.
If I could give one top tip for Clearing, courtesy of my mum, it would be this: don’t hang around. The longer you wait to sort it out, the more overwhelming it becomes. Even though you might feel stressed or disappointed at first, it’s better to act quickly. Getting your Clearing process sorted early means you’ll have something exciting to look forward to instead of dwelling on setbacks.
Looking back, I’m so glad I took that leap. What began as a stressful period of uncertainty turned into a positive and transformative experience, and Aberystwyth has truly become a place where I feel I belong.
What first attracted me to Aberystwyth was the beauty of the town itself. The setting was so stunning that I decided to look into what courses were available to me through Clearing. I came across the Creative Writing course, and the poetry aspect particularly intrigued me. Wanting to learn more, I booked a Clearing Visit and brought my mum along for support.
The visit was crucial for my decision-making. We both thoroughly enjoyed the day; it was incredibly informative and reassuring. Speaking with staff from various departments helped me understand my options and made me feel more confident about making a new start.
Accommodation was one of my main concerns. I asked about disability-accessible accommodation and received a wealth of helpful information. I was advised to apply for Disabled Students’ Allowance (DSA), which ultimately allowed me to secure a place in Fferm Penglais which was much better suited to my needs.
Like any major change, starting the course was challenging at first. But this had more to do with my own anxieties than with the course content. Since switching from French and Creative Writing to English and Creative Writing, I’ve found my studies much more enjoyable and engaging. The support I’ve received from staff and fellow students at Aberystwyth has been instrumental in helping me overcome those initial hurdles.
If I could give one top tip for Clearing, courtesy of my mum, it would be this: don’t hang around. The longer you wait to sort it out, the more overwhelming it becomes. Even though you might feel stressed or disappointed at first, it’s better to act quickly. Getting your Clearing process sorted early means you’ll have something exciting to look forward to instead of dwelling on setbacks.
Looking back, I’m so glad I took that leap. What began as a stressful period of uncertainty turned into a positive and transformative experience, and Aberystwyth has truly become a place where I feel I belong.