Malu Cursino
Live reporter

We're going to wrap up our question and answer session here - scroll down for lots of useful information from our panel of experts.

As career and clearing advisers have said many times today: you have options.

An apprenticeship may be the next step for you - or getting straight into work, resitting exams, or heading to university. It's up to you.

Let's now turn to some of the latest news and analysis.

How does clearing work?published at 13:14 British Summer Time 15 August

13:14 BST 15 August

Bariha Shahzadi
Clearing adviser and pharmacy student at Kingston University

The clearing process is normally for those students who have not yet secured a place at university.

Usually on results day, if you've been unsuccessful in getting a place at your firm or insurance universities, you get automatically released into clearing.

When this happens, students can search through Ucas to see what courses are available and if they'd be interested in them.

After this, applicants can then call universities and go through a clearing application and are given offers if they meet entry requirements.

In simpler terms: it's a process where students can secure places in a university course even if they've been unsuccessful in meeting previously agreed grade requirements.

Why couldn't I submit clearing choices before 1pm?published at 13:04 British Summer Time 15 August

13:04 BST 15 August

Bariha Shahzadi
Clearing adviser and pharmacy student at Kingston University

As a reminder, you can contact universities as soon as you get your results and anytime after on their hotline.

Once you've been given a verbal offer from a university, you can then add the offer onto Ucas after 1pm - so, now.

Samantha Sykes
Ucas adviser

Once your place is confirmed you don't need to do anything further in your application.

Your chosen university will send you details of what you need to do next, so make sure you check your emails regularly.

It’s also a good idea to spend some time preparing to start your course, external. Make sure you’ve looked into managing your money, travel arrangements, course materials and where to find support once you arrive on campus.

Can you hold an offer and go through clearing?published at 12:52 British Summer Time 15 August

12:52 BST 15 August

Bariha Shahzadi
Clearing adviser and pharmacy student at Kingston University

Joseph from North London asks: "Can I call clearing lines whilst holding an offer from another uni?"

You can call universities even whilst holding a previous offer.

However, to accept offers from universities that you've called you would have to 'release' yourself into clearing.

This usually has to be done within 24 hours of receiving the clearing offer.

How long until I get a CAS number?published at 12:46 British Summer Time 15 August

12:46 BST 15 August

Samantha Sykes
Ucas adviser

Our next question is from an international student, Asher Eldo, who asks how long it will take until universities give you a CAS number.

It will vary from university to university and we always recommend you speak to them directly for an exact timeframe. But we do have a few top tips that might help you:

• Make sure you provide any outstanding documents that might be conditional of your offer to the university as soon as possible (e.g. academic transcripts and certificates, or language tests) - universities can’t issue the CAS number for offers that are still conditional
• You may have been asked to provide additional documents or evidence; double check and give these to the university as soon as possible
• Make sure the passport the university has on your record is the one you’ll travel with, and contact them immediately if you need to change this
• Check your emails regularly, and make sure you’re answering any questions from the university as this can hold up the processing if you don’t

Remember universities support large numbers of students with this process each year and will be happy to assist you so that you can receive your CAS number as quickly as possible.

What happens if I fail?published at 12:33 British Summer Time 15 August

12:33 BST 15 August

James Platford
Careers adviser, National Careers Service

Many of you have asked what happens if, come results day, you fail or don't quite meet the grades you need for your desired course.

Firstly, don’t panic, you will be pleased to hear there are plenty of options out there.

If you're planning on going to university, it's important to note that they fill their places through clearing - so there are still options. You can also re-sit your A-levels next year and use the time to start building work experience.

Internships and apprenticeships (including degree-level apprenticeships) are also an option.

For these and many other options I'd suggest checking out the National Careers Service website, external and if you need further help, you can book an appointment with a National Careers Service careers adviser to discuss your options by calling 0800 100900.

What if I couldn't pick up my results?published at 12:23 British Summer Time 15 August

12:23 BST 15 August

Gemma Simmons-Blench
Deputy chief executive of Leeds City College

Dylan Dean from West Yorkshire asks about the options if you couldn't pick up your results in person today.

Don’t worry. If you are unable to collect your results in person from school or college, it’s very likely you will be able to receive them virtually.

This will probably be done via email, but do check for any guidance issued by your school or college in advance.

If you haven't done so already, reach out to them if you have any questions about how to receive your results virtually.

How long until I hear back if my paper is remarked?published at 12:15 British Summer Time 15 August

12:15 BST 15 August

Hazel Shearing
Education correspondent

Elizabeth-Rose Hyde-Edwards from Oxshott in Surrey has a question about getting papers remarked. She asks: "If my paper is submitted to be remarked, how long will I wait to receive the new grade?"

That will depend on the exam board, but in general you can expect to wait a few weeks.

AQA, for example, says the process can take up to 20 days.

The best thing you can do is talk to your school or college, who know your exam boards and will be really used to dealing with their remarking processes. They can help guide you through it.

If getting papers remarked will determine whether or not you meet a university offer, you should call the university and explain your situation.

Ask the admissions team if they can hold your place while your remark is sorted out, or whether they would consider letting you in on the grades you have.

Can I defer my university offer for two years?published at 12:10 British Summer Time 15 August

12:10 BST 15 August

James Platford
Careers adviser, National Careers Service

It is possible to defer your admission for two years but each university is different, and decisions are made on a person-by-person basis.

If you'd like to defer your entry, I suggest contacting your university and seeing what they have to say.

Just remember, if you contact them without a plan, they may be less interested.

If you give them a detailed reason regarding what you are doing to develop yourself during that period, then that could help your case – this could include traveling, work experience or dealing with family issues.

Be prepared for the why and take it from there.

How have grade boundaries changed?published at 12:00 British Summer Time 15 August

12:00 BST 15 August

Gemma Simmons-Blench
Deputy chief executive of Leeds City College

Our next question comes from Ellie Smith from Chichester, who asks whether this year's grade boundaries will be higher or lower than last year.

Grade boundaries for this year have now reverted back to pre-pandemic levels to reflect the end of adjustments put in place for students impacted by Covid-19.

Although boundaries differ from subject to subject to ensure students have an equal opportunity to access the higher grades.

You can find out more about this year's grade boundaries in one of the earlier posts on this live page.

What's the best time to call clearing?published at 11:47 British Summer Time 15 August

11:47 BST 15 August

Bariha Shahzadi
Clearing adviser and pharmacy student at Kingston University

One common question is about timing, and whether there is a perfect time to call universities for a clearing place.

The best time to call universities for clearing is as soon as you get your results.

That's because offers are given out on a first come first serve basis if you meet a given course's mandatory requirements.

As a reminder: you can't list a clearing choice until 1pm, which hopefully gives you time to consider all your options.

What's more important, university degree or experience?published at 11:42 British Summer Time 15 August

11:42 BST 15 August

Dr Rebecca Montacute
Head of research and policy, Sutton Trust

Young people from poorer homes are more likely to become high earners if they go to university, which makes universities really important when it comes to what we call "social mobility" – making sure the circumstances someone grew up in don't impact where they end up later in life.

Going to university can help you learn more about your degree subject, as well as gain wider experiences and networks, for example through work experience organised by the university, or through university societies.

Although university is a great option for many people, there are lots of other great routes as well, including apprenticeships - which have been gaining in popularity.

Apprenticeships mean you can earn while you learn and avoid student debt. They also give great workplace experience, and people who do higher level apprenticeships especially often go on to become high earners.

Can I go through clearing if I miss grade requirements?published at 11:37 British Summer Time 15 August

11:37 BST 15 August

James Platford
Careers adviser, National Careers Service

Next up is a question from Brendan from Basingstoke, who asks if he can apply to courses in clearing if he misses the grade requirements by one or two grades.

I missed my grades by more than that and still got a place through clearing.

You may have to accept a different university to the one you wanted but lots of universities have spaces they are trying to fill.

And remember that all the information about clearing is available on the Ucas website.

When are resits?published at 11:36 British Summer Time 15 August

11:36 BST 15 August

James Platford
Careers adviser, National Careers Service

Aleksa Rogan, 18, asks: "If I resit my exams, do I have to wait for next year? Or can I resit later this year?"

You can resit GCSE English Language and GCSE Mathematics in November.

Unfortunately, for all other GCSE subjects and all A-level subjects, resits are next year. Sorry I couldn’t give better news. In all cases you would need to contact your school to organise this.

We've been hearing from you and our panel of experts will be answering some of your burning questions now that exam results are out.

Guiding us through the next hour or so will be:

• Hazel Shearing, education correspondent, BBC News

• Dr Rebecca Montacute, head of research and policy, at Sutton Trust

• Gemma Simmons-Blench, deputy chief executive at Leeds City College

• James Platford, who is a careers adviser, National Careers Service

• Bariha Shahzadi, a pharmacy student and clearing adviser at Kingston University

• Samantha Sykes, Ucas adviser

Hollie Cole
Live reporter

You’ll be hearing a lot about universities, apprenticeships and career plans today.

It’s easy to get swept up in it all, but not everyone knows what’s next for them after getting their results today.​​

It wasn’t that long ago when I was picking up my own A-level results and I had no idea what I was going to do afterwards. I’d decided months before to scrap my plans to go to university - but I was unsure on what to do instead.​​

I entered the workforce and later got accepted onto a BBC apprenticeship scheme. It opened a door to a career that a few years ago on results day I hadn’t even thought about.​​

Everyone’s path after results day is different, and we’ll shortly be hearing from our team of experts who will be answering your questions as you navigate next steps.

Lucy Fesmer
Reporting from Myton School, Warwick

Image source, BBC/Lucy Fesmer

I’m at Myton School in Warwick, where students collecting their results have had a particularly difficult year.

Their school is one with a dangerous type of concrete, Raac, which led to disruption at the start of the school year. Thirty rooms were closed off, meaning many spent weeks learning at home.

The House of Commons Library estimates that around 7,600 Year 13 pupils are at Raac-affected schools in England. Data for colleges is collected differently.

Some parents wanted students in Raac-affected schools to get extra help with exams.

The exams regulator, Ofqual, says it’s sympathetic to those affected, but boosting grades wouldn’t be fair.

The government says it has asked exam boards to consider coursework extensions in some cases, and that some students may have been able to get marks uplifted by the special consideration process.

And Ucas chief executive Jo Saxton says she’s flagged Raac students’ situations to the universities they’ve applied to.

Larissa Tairo
Reporting from Burnley

Image source, Larissa Tairo / BBC

It was only a few years ago when Negar Rezaei claimed asylum from Iran. Today, she's relieved to have earned a top grade and is on her way to becoming a pilot.

The 19-year-old tells me she is ready for her next step - going to university and studying Aerospace Engineering.

"I am beyond excited," she says.

"When I came here [to the UK], I was put in low sets, people didn't believe that I was capable," she adds. "I would finish homework about a month before the rest of my class."

Gradually, she climbed class sets and today her hard work has paid off, with a distinction star award in Vocational Travel and Tourism.

"My grades have opened so many doors for me. I've been offered a job at a hotel, but I'm going to give that up for university," she says.

Negar shares her worries about funding flight school, but her career goals fly high in the hope that the degree course she's about to start will help secure a spot at an airline scholarship.

Sophie Wheeldon
Reporting from Leicester

Image source, Sophie Wheeldon / BBC

At Leicester College the atmosphere this morning has been a mixture of nervous energy and excitement as students arrive to collect their T-Level results.

T-Levels have been growing in popularity since they were introduced in 2020, with more students opting for these vocational qualifications that combine academic study with hands-on industry experience.

Many say they were drawn to T-Levels because of the pathway they can provide to higher education, apprenticeships and direct employment.

Here at Leicester College 163 students completed the qualification last year, this year the number was up to 234.

Come September, the college says they’re set to welcome around 400 students for T-levels, as well as offering more courses.

Some of the students I spoke to are going to university to study degrees in nursing and engineering. Whilst others are going to work in industries like construction and education.