Don’t panic if you miss A-level targets

Sixth-formers who miss out on the A-level grades they need for their university course should not give up hope, industry experts said today.

The class of 2009 faces the toughest economic conditions for job hunting in a generation, with almost one million under-25s out of work.

Record demand for university places this year will make it harder for sixth-formers to find the right course.

But it is not all bad news for teenagers who will receive their A-level results tomorrow or for students graduating from university.

Winston Churchill, John Major, Richard Branson and Alan Sugar, among others, forged successful careers without going to university.

Even highly qualified academics have overcome disappointing A-level results by finding alternative degree courses.

One such person is Professor Martyn Jones, Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Kingston University.

He had wanted to study medicine but took up the offer of a town planning course instead.

"I know how it feels to not quite get the grades you have been expecting," Professor Jones said.

"It's tempting to feel downhearted and wish things had turned out differently but you have to turn the corner and move on.

"The important thing is how you react to this news. The actions you take on results day can make a real difference to your future. If I hadn't made the call I wouldn't be where I am now."

The difficulty many face this year, however, is that the competition for university places is set to be more intense than ever.

A record 600,000 candidates applied for degree courses this year.

The Government has funded an extra 13,000 university places but the number of applicants has risen by 60,000.

Admissions service Ucas is warning that clearing, which is intended to match disappointed candidates to course vacancies, will be "intense" this year.

Ucas chief executive Anthony McClaran said teenagers must be prepared to move quickly.

In theory, students who do better than expected have the chance to upgrade their university choice for the first time this summer but the number of free places at top institutions is expected to be small.

Bev Woodhams, head of recruitment at the University of Greenwich, said it was still not too late to apply.

"My advice is to talk through all the course options with the university experts," she said. "Don't be shy — ask about bursaries, grants and tuition fees and how they apply to you."

At Birkbeck College and the Open University, students can work towards a degree part-time while juggling a job.

Monica Law, head of recruitment at Birkbeck, said the college has more than 70 part-time degree courses available.

"Students can avoid clearing this year by applying directly to Birkbeck," she said. "Those who have not been able to enrol on full-time courses elsewhere should consider Birkbeck's part-time, evening provision.

"It's an attractive alternative that makes financial sense in these difficult economic times."

John May, chief executive of Career Academies UK, a business education charity, said school-leavers should not rule out going straight into paid work.

"In the current economic climate it's much more difficult for young people to get employment than in the past but certainly they should not dismiss the idea of looking for employment, particularly if it leads to training," he said. Peter Mitchell, education director at practical learning charity Edge, suggested young people should even consider "stacking shelves in supermarkets. At least you get some experience".

He added: "It's much easier to get a job from a job. I don't think anybody can afford to be snooty."

Higher Education Minister David Lammy said every candidate who achieves the required grades will be guaranteed a place at university.

"This year we expect a record number to get there taking advantage of the highest ever level of funded places on offer," he said.

"Getting to university has always been a competitive process and this year we have seen unprecedented demand.

"That is why universities are offering the extra 10,000 places we announced last month to help more young people go to university in tougher times.

"Unfortunately, there will always be students who miss their offers but there are a whole range of options open to them including clearing, re-applying for next year, or seeking work experience or training."

Missed your grades? Hit the phones

Students who have just missed the grades they need should first call their chosen university to see if they can make an exception.

Be warned: many universities fear they will be less flexible this year as demand for courses is so high.

That means it's time to look at clearing. Course vacancies and details of how to apply are published on the Ucas website ucas.ac.uk. Ucas says there could be just 22,000 vacancies, half the number last year.

Hit the phones quickly on results day. Most admissions offices will take calls from the early hours and popular courses will be full by lunch time.

Be flexible. It may be there are opportunities to study subjects related to students' original choices, if not exactly what they wanted. But don't panic and sign up for anything.

Students should take advice from teachers and university staff. It's better to take a gap year and re-apply than start an expensive course and drop out.

Alternatives to university

Part-time study: If you do not get the grades for university, but still want to do a degree, Birkbeck and Open University both offer options. Birkbeck offers 70 part-time courses. bbk.ac.uk; open.ac.uk

Training schemes: PricewaterhouseCoopers offers training schemes for school leavers who want to go into accountancy. pwclegal.co.uk/careers

Growth markets: IT — but employers say many applicants lack the basic skills they require. Comptia runs subsidised computing courses for students aged 16+ with any level of experience. It costs £45 per exam and is being rolled out at colleges across London. comptia.org

Gap year: gapyear.com offers experiences including teaching abroad. arthistoryabroad.com runs four-week courses taking undergraduates to Italy.

Once you've graduated: How to find work

Work experience and volunteering: the Talent Pool website has over 2,500 available internships for graduates. direct.gov.uk/graduates.

Fast-track and training schemes: the Civil Service Fast Stream has 500 jobs a year available for graduates. Applications for next year's entry open on 21 September, closing date is 30 November. civilservice.gov.uk/jobs/faststream/index.aspx.

Teach First recruits graduates for two- year intensive teaching placements. Students get qualified teacher status. Applications are open for July next year but must be in soon as possible. Teach First has 700 places this year. teachfirst.org.uk.

Boris Johnson set up a graduate recruitment website last month in partnership with the University of London. It lists career options, typical salaries, and job vacancies
london.gov.uk/graduates

More information can be found on thegraduate.co.uk

Further training: the Institute of Legal Executives (ILEX) offers a cheaper and more accessible alternative to law school for graduates with a law degree at 12 colleges across London. Courses start in September, but applicants can sign up as late as September. There's an open day on 2 September at the University of Westminster. www.ilex.org.uk

Early twenties: responses to redundancy

Doing something is better than nothing, says the Association for Graduate Recruiters. Work experience, volunteering or working can all improve your CV even if they are not directly linked to your career hopes.

There are thousands of volunteering options through "V", aimed at young people between 16-25, and other voluntary organisations. For information, seevinspired.com/opportunities

Jobcentre Plus offers free help at jobcentreplus.gov.uk.

Local press, trade magazines, recruitment agencies, Sector Skills Councils websites and even networking sites are useful tools for finding jobs.

If you need emotional support, the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy can offer help at bacp.co.uk

If you leavea job make sure you get a P45. The Department for Work and Pensions also recommends getting details of redundancy payments in writing. Find out if you are entitled to free careers guidance and money for training. If not, the Government offers telephone advice on 0800 100 900.