The results process

We receive assessment grades and results from many awarding bodies. We then match these to your students’ applications and send them to the universities and colleges that are holding offers for them.

View the list of results we receive and forward to universities and colleges.

Are your students taking a qualification not listed in the above?

It’s really important they send their results/certificates to their firm and insurance choice universities or colleges as soon as they receive them! Unis and colleges will need to see proof of qualifications listed in the ‘Education’ section of their application – this includes GCSEs or National 5s or equivalent.

Sending proof of qualifications is equally important to students with international qualifications.

Applicants can view Confirmation decisions in their application, which is updated continuously except for the periods when we are processing results during the embargo period – ucas.com alerts will give details of when information is available in the lead up to results days.

The 'CU12' Confirmation letter for UCAS Conservatoires applicants will be available in their application.

You can view details of your students’ applications, including Confirmation decisions, in the adviser portal.

SQA results day – 6 August

At 09:00 (UK time) on 6 August, SQA results day, the adviser portal will open, and your students will be able to access their applications. 

• If you go straight to the Tracking offers and decisions section for 2024 you will see the different confirmation decisions for your students.
• This status list will help you know the next steps for your students.
• Students will be able to add a Clearing choice from 10:00 (UK time).

JCQ (incl. AS/A levels) results day –15 August

The adviser portal will open at 07:00 (UK time) on 15 August to allow you to check the status of your applicants and identify those who may need your support.

You must not under any circumstances disclose the details relating to exam results, application status or mention anything which could be used to infer that information to applicants, parents, guardians, universities and colleges, or with any of your colleagues, who don’t have access to this information through the adviser portal, until the embargo has lifted at 08:00 (UK time) on JCQ results day. 

Understanding the embargo

JCQ sets strict controls when giving UCAS privileged early access to results. These extend to universities and colleges who receive results before 15 August and also to all adviser portal users who will have early sight of applicant statuses. 

If you access the adviser portal before 08:00 (UK time) on 15 August, you must keep to this embargo arrangement. 

In the staff management section of the adviser portal, please review who has permission to view offers and decisions at your school or centre. It is important that anyone who can access this embargoed information is aware of the serious implications of breaching the embargo. 

• If you go straight to the Tracking offers and decisions section for 2024 you will see the different Confirmation decisions for your students.
• This status list will help you know the next steps for your students. 
• Students will be able to add a Clearing choice from 13:00 (UK time).

On results day your students may be unplaced. If this is the case, you will see one of the statuses below on their application in the adviser portal – we have suggested the actions they can take.

Helping you to support students

There is a flag in tracking offers and decisions so you can easily identify students who may need more support when receiving their results. 

We will flag to show you students who:

• have been made a course change 
• are waiting for confirmation from a university or college 

The status will update when either the student or provider makes a change, to keep you updated as things progress. 

• To identify those students quickly – simply type in the status column search 'course' to show those who have had a course change, or 'delay’ for those who've had a reason added to their application.
• Select the student’s name to see details of the reasons for delay in Confirmation or the course change offer that has been made. 

For more details on adviser portal applicant statuses see the UCAS Adviser Guide.

Your students can find out more on our What your application status means page.

If a student’s grades aren’t what they had hoped for this year, there are a number of options available to them.

They could:

• speak to the university or college: They may be flexible, especially if they only narrowly missed their offer, they could still be placed despite not meeting the offer

• use Clearing to find a course: Last year, over 75,000 students used Clearing to find a course, and most universities and colleges have vacancies, which they can find using our search tool. Our Clearing Plus service will match students to appropriate courses making it even easier to find the right option for them. Find out more about Clearing.

• appeal their grade: They’ll need to discuss this with you – here’s our advice for students on appealing grades.

• consider an apprenticeship: Earn a salary while they study – and have their course fees paid by their employer and the government. Read more and find vacancies. 

• research alternatives to university: For other options, read our advice on internships, gap years, and studying overseas. 

Looking after their mental health and wellbeing

For students who didn’t get the grades they wanted, this can be a difficult time. They aren’t alone, and there’s support available to help them look after their mental health and wellbeing.

• Student Minds is the UK’s student mental health charity – visit their website for resources and advice. 
• The Charlie Waller Memorial Trust has practical advice and tips to manage anxiety and stress to help during Clearing and for other aspects of school and going to university. 
• Young Minds has advice for young people who are dealing with disappointing exam results.

There are a number of ways you can help your students throughout the exam results process.

Changes to qualifications details

Complete our qualifications amendment form straightaway if any of your students’ qualification details change, and let the universities/colleges know too. That includes anything from qualification subjects, modules or units, to awarding/examining bodies and centre numbers. We cannot add or amend predicted grades or units.

It's important to tell us, as it could delay the processing of results. If results can’t be verified, your student might not get their place.

If anything affects your students’ results, we advise the applicant to contact the university or college that's holding their place, either as a firm or insurance choice. They should explain their situation, and provide a supporting letter from their school, college or exam centre (with supporting documentation if necessary, e.g. a letter from the doctor if it’s a medical issue).

Late results

Universities and colleges have until 4 September to receive qualification results, unless they specify a different date. If the results aren’t available by this date, they’re not obliged to hold a place. If you know of any results likely to be subject to delay, it’s important to let the university or college know in good time.

Important qualification information

International Baccalaureate (IB)

• Please make sure UCAS is listed in the IB Information System (IBIS) as a provider who has permission to access your students' results. IB results will be available to teaching centres on 5 July 2024, and to higher education providers on 6 July 2024. You’ll need to submit your request through the ‘request for results service’ option in IBIS. If you need any help with this, email Support@ibo.org or phone 029 2054 7740.
• If permission is not given, we won't receive the results due on 6 July 2024. This will delay Confirmation decisions from universities or colleges.

Ofqual has announced new deadlines to ensure that awarding organisations issue complete and correct Level 3 vocational and technical qualifications (VTQ) results to students in summer 2023. This includes a deadline for the issue of results by awarding organisations to schools and colleges on Monday 14 August.

Most Level 3 results used for progression to further or higher education will be released to students by Thursday 15 August.

Ofqual has also launched a new information hub for exams officers and subject teachers. The hub brings into one place the key dates awarding organisations set to ensure the timely delivery of Level 3 vocational and technical qualification (VTQ) results used for progression to further study. It is the latest in Ofqual’s package of measures to create parity for VTQ students in summer 2024. 

Students have the right to appeal their grade. 

Universities and colleges will endeavour to be flexible in keeping places open until an outcome is received. It’s important to keep the universities and colleges informed of any appeals. 

There are variations in the appeals process depending where in the UK you are: 

Appeals in England

Appeals should initially be dealt with by the centre to ensure processes have been followed correctly and there are no errors - any errors can be submitted to the awarding body for correction. If a student still wishes to appeal, they should submit a formal appeal to the awarding body through the school or college.  

Ofqual guide for schools and colleges 2024.

Appeals in Wales

After results day, students in Wales may appeal to WJEC if they feel the grade was unreasonable or erroneous. 

Full details about the appeals process for the summer 2024 exams series will be made available on the Qualifications Wales website.

Appeals in Scotland

Full details about the appeals process for the summer 2024 exams series will be made available on the SQA website.

Appeals in Northern Ireland

In the first instance, students should submit an initial appeal request to their centre. If they are unhappy with the outcome, the centre may then appeal to CCEA.  

Full details about the Post-Results Service in Northern Ireland will be made available on the CCEA website.

Get help with exams results careers advice 2024

The National Careers Service will be delivering exam results support.

The helpline will be open from Thursday 15 August until Saturday 31 August 2024:

• 08:00 – 20:00 Monday to Friday (UK time)
• 10:00 – 17:00 Saturday (UK time)

Young people or their parents/carers can contact the helpline on 0800 100 900 to speak to a professionally qualified careers adviser if they need advice on their next steps after receiving results.
 

Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Results Helpline

SDS Results Helpline number: 0808 100 8000

Opening hours:

• Tuesday 6 and Wednesday 7 August, 08:00 – 20:00 (UK time).
• Thursday 8 and Friday 9 August 09:00 – 17:00 (UK time).

If your students are not sure about their next steps and need help to explore their options, SDS's expert careers advisers are at the end of the phone to help them and their parents or carer.

Whatever their results, the advisers can help students make decisions about what’s right for them. They have information on course vacancies at UK colleges and universities, Confirmation and Clearing, advice about Foundation, Modern and Graduate Apprenticeships, and jobs, volunteering, or staying on at school.