The Clearing process is now open at the University of Suffolk, offering a chance to students from all different backgrounds.

Clearing allows future students to apply directly to universities, for students who achieved grades both higher or lower than expected, who have changed their minds about where they want to go, who did not accept places from any of their offers or who have yet to apply for university at all.

It is an “exciting time” as they are offered a change of plan, often unexpectedly.

For alumnus Malcolm Beer, Clearing offered a complete change in direction in 2009.

He had been offered a place in the Royal Navy, but when his results came back the offer was taken off the table.

Mr Beer said: “My dad found a clipping in the paper for Event Management at what was then University Campus Suffolk. I called the phone number and they had so much knowledge and talked me through my options.

“It gave me that confidence that it didn’t matter that I hadn’t done any of the UCAS preparation.”

East Anglian Daily Times:

He went on to become trade manager at NSC, and now works as the business development manager at the University of Suffolk.

Alumnus Solomon Holmes had been studying at a different university but felt the course wasn’t right for him, so chose to take a year out to wrote for blogs and news websites.

He applied for the English course at Suffolk through Clearing in 2018, and went on to take a Master’s in Creative and Critical Writing in 2022.

He said: “Applying through Clearing doesn’t make you any different. Once you start the course and meet people those worries very quickly go away and it is very worthwhile.”

Mohammad Dastbaz, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Suffolk, added: “We have a broad range of courses students can apply for, and with exciting developments across our campus it has never been a better time to join us.”

Clearing campus and accommodation tours are taking place from 12pm to 2pm on Saturday, August 19, and from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday, August 23.