Clearing can 'change lives', senior lecturer says

Around 15 per cent of the University of Northampton's student intake comes from clearing

A former university student says the clearing process has the ability to "change people's lives" for the better.

Anthony Stepniak, senior lecturer in media and cultural theory at the University of Northampton, and clearing call handler for the day, said the phone calls students make to go through clearing have the potential to "transform" their future for the better.

Clearing is a system that matches university applicants who have not had an offer with institutions that still have unfilled places.

Dr Stepniak added: "If I hadn't made that call [to clearing when he was a student,] my life wouldn't be the same in a positive way."

Anthony Stepniak said students "shouldn't panic" if they did not get their intended grades

Students across England, Wales and Northern Ireland received their A-level, T-level and BTEC Nationals results on Thursday morning.

Mr Stepniak said he was "proud" to have come through clearing himself and was originally disheartened when he discovered he was 20 UCAS points "under [his] original university offer".

But after going through clearing at the University of Northampton, he has had "a fantastic career."

Dr Stepniak added: "I myself have a PhD, I’m a doctor now. We're proud to take on those students, transform them and add value to their lives.

"That's what higher education is all about."