Results Day can be stressful, especially if your grades don’t quite match your firm choice requirements. But missing your firm offer doesn’t mean your university journey is over. UCAS provides multiple pathways, including insurance offers and Clearing, to make sure students still find a place.
At RevisionDojo, we help IB and A-Level students prepare for every outcome. Here’s exactly what happens if you don’t meet your firm choice.
Quick Start Checklist
If you miss your firm choice:
- UCAS automatically checks your insurance choice
- If you meet the insurance conditions, you’re accepted there
- If not, you’re entered into UCAS Clearing
- Sometimes, your firm may still accept you despite missing grades
- You can also consider UCAS Adjustment if you exceed expectations
Step 1: Check UCAS Track on Results Day
On Results Day, UCAS Track updates with your university decisions. Even if you think you missed the required grades, check Track first — some universities show flexibility.
Step 2: Firm Choice May Still Accept You
Universities sometimes accept students who narrowly miss requirements. This can depend on:
- The competitiveness of the course that year
- Your overall application strength
- Subject-specific grade requirements
For example, missing by one grade in a non-essential subject may not matter.
Step 3: Insurance Choice as a Safety Net
If your firm rejects you, UCAS immediately checks your insurance offer. If you meet the conditions, you’ll be accepted there. This is why choosing a realistic insurance is so important — it prevents unnecessary stress on Results Day.
Step 4: UCAS Clearing
If you don’t meet either your firm or insurance offers, you’ll enter Clearing. This process allows you to apply for available courses at other universities. Clearing can feel intimidating, but thousands of students successfully find places each year — sometimes on courses they prefer more than their original firm.
Step 5: UCAS Adjustment (If You Exceed Expectations)
On the other side, if you exceed your firm offer requirements, you may qualify for UCAS Adjustment, where you can explore courses with higher entry requirements. This is optional — you can stick with your firm choice if you’re happy.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Assuming rejection without checking UCAS Track
- Choosing an insurance with the same entry requirements as your firm
- Panicking on Results Day instead of preparing for Clearing
- Ignoring Adjustment opportunities if you outperform expectations
Tips for Preparing in Advance
- Research Clearing and Adjustment before Results Day so you know your options
- Have a backup plan with courses you’d consider if needed
- Stay calm — universities make decisions based on more than raw grades
- Remember, thousands of students find success through insurance or Clearing every year
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Will my firm choice automatically reject me if I miss one grade?
Not always. Universities may still accept students who narrowly miss requirements, especially if they are strong in other areas. Always check UCAS Track before assuming rejection.
2. What happens if I miss both my firm and insurance choices?
You’ll enter UCAS Clearing, where you can apply for other available courses. Clearing can be stressful but also presents opportunities to find a course that may suit you better.
3. Can I appeal a rejection from my firm choice?
Generally, no. Once UCAS updates your decision, it is final. However, you may contact the university directly to clarify their decision.
4. If I do better than expected, do I have to use Adjustment?
No. Adjustment is optional. If you’re happy with your firm choice, you can keep it, even if your results exceed the offer conditions.
5. How quickly do I need to act if I go into Clearing?
Clearing moves fast, especially for popular courses. Ideally, prepare in advance by making a list of universities and courses you’d consider, so you can act quickly on Results Day.
Conclusion
Missing your firm choice isn’t the end of your university plans. With insurance, Clearing, and Adjustment, UCAS ensures you still have pathways forward. By preparing ahead of time, you can face Results Day with confidence and flexibility.
At RevisionDojo, we give students the tools to stay calm and strategic, no matter what their results bring.
Call to Action
Worried about missing your firm choice? Explore RevisionDojo’s UCAS-focused guides and study resources to boost your confidence and prepare for every possible outcome.
