What to do if you don’t get the grades you wanted 

If you’ve opened up your results and are disappointed with your grades, here’s what to do next.

The morning of a results day is a stressful one for all concerned. For those that get the grades they need, the way ahead is often clear, but for those who haven’t quite achieved the grades they’d hoped for, it can be a difficult time to navigate.

Sometimes, all you can do is take the next small step, so here’s our simple guide to six things you can do when you’re facing uncertainty as a result of your grades.

Take a moment

You might feel disappointment, anxiety, a heavy heart or a sense of shock. Take a moment to yourself to let it sink in and turn to someone that you trust for comfort or quiet company while you process the news. 

Remember that you don’t have to share your results with anyone and if you prefer to keep them private, a simple “I don’t want to talk about it right now” is all you have to say.

It’s okay to be sad. It’s okay to be overwhelmed. You’re not alone. But remember that nothing ends here. 

Find out what it means

Just because you haven’t received the grades you hoped for, it doesn’t mean you can’t still go on to the next stage of your education. Each university or training provider operates slightly differently, and many offer more flexibility with grades than you might think.

If you’ve applied for university through UCAS, check UCAS Hub to find out what decisions your firm or insurance offer have made. It’s common for some universities or course providers to accept students even if they haven’t got the exact grades outlined in their offer.

Consider making an appeal

You can appeal if they think that your marks don’t reflect how you performed during the course or the exams fairly. You do this by requesting that the marking of your work is reviewed or moderated. To appeal, ask your school or college to get started with the appeals process as soon as they can, and let your chosen university or training provider know that you’re appealing as they might hold your place until your marks have been reviewed. It’s important to know that your marks can go up, down, or stay the same as a result of the appeal process.

If your marks are reviewed and you’re still unhappy with the outcome, you can appeal directly to the exam board, but bear in mind that you’ll need to be able to explain why you think the results are incorrect as part of this process. Once the exam board has reviewed the results, they’ll send you a report of their findings. If this report is unsatisfactory, then your next port of call is Ofqual, the government department that regulates qualifications, exams and tests in England. 

Students who successfully appeal their grades could be offered their original place or a place on a similar course. Some universities and training providers may also allow you to defer your place to the next academic year.

Think about resits

If you know that you didn’t do as well as you could have, or you simply need a little more time to get to grips with a subject, then resits could be a viable option. Many colleges offer A Level resits, and they can be a good thing to do for students who need more time to consolidate their learning and improve on a specific grade. For T levels and BTECs, it depends on the type of assessment and the post-result service and appeal that are available.

Explore Clearing

Clearing is when UCAS allows students to apply for any remaining university places that haven’t been filled after the usual application deadlines. UCAS Clearing is a good option if you’ve missed out on your firm and insurance offers, as it allows you to search for courses with spaces across the UK at a range of universities.

Through clearing, you may well find courses similar to those that you originally applied for at universities you may not have considered. You can find courses that match your profile through the UCAS Clearing matches facility. If you do find a course that appeals to you, you’ll need to pick up the phone and call the university before you add them as a choice in your application. Feeling anxious about speaking to universities? Take a look at UCAS’ top tips for calling universities during clearing).

Re-evaluate your options

Going to university isn’t the only form of Higher Education, and perhaps you’ll want to consider a different pathway such as:

• Diplomas
• Foundation Degrees or Foundation years
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQs)
• Degree Level Apprenticeships

You may start researching and find something that sparks your interest straight away, or you might realise that you need a break from studying. Some students choose to take a gap year and work or volunteer while they research and process all the available options before making a decision. 

For those exploring different forms of Higher Education, CCC offers an incredibly wide range of Higher Education courses and Apprenticeships spanning a variety of pathways. If you’re a CCC student, get in touch with the Careers Team at your campus for valuable advice and guidance. We provide comprehensive Career Support to all of our students at any stage of their studies.

So the road ahead has changed a little. That doesn’t mean it’s going to be any less exciting or meaningful. We’re often pushed into believing that big life changes hang on singular moments, but that’s rarely the case. 

Of course you’re going to be disappointed if you didn’t get the grades you wanted – but, once the shock has subsided and you’ve found your feet, try to be open to the options available and take time to explore them at your own pace. 

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