Author: Alistair Dickson, BSc Accounting and Finance student
Hello, my name is Alistair Dickson, and I applied to Swansea University through the clearing process, and I have since had an amazing and unforgettable experience.
My Clearing Experience
On A-Level results day, I discovered that I had not been accepted in either my first or second choice university because I had achieved A-Level results that were lower than I expected; this meant that I had to go through the clearing process if I still wanted to go to university.
After looking through the UCAS website to see which UK universities were offering clearing places, I noticed that Swansea University was offering clearing places for their BSC Accounting and Finance course; however, the grades needed for this course were not something I had managed to achieve on results day, so I decided it would be best to apply to the BSC Accounting and Finance Course with a foundation year as it had lower A-Level grade requirements.
I decided to give Swansea University's clearing helpline a call, and I was put through to a current Swansea University student; when I explained my situation to them, they said I would be able to study BSC Accounting and Finance. The student on the clearing helpline then helped me fill out my application form for the course and for the student accommodation. When my phone call with the clearing helpline ended, my application to study BSC Accounting and Finance at Swansea University had been accepted!
After I received a confirmation email of my offer to study at Swansea University through clearing, I received an invitation to attend a clearing open day at the university, where I was able to have a tour around Bay Campus, Singleton Campus, and the available student accommodation as well as talk to lecturers and students about the BSC Accounting and Finance course. The clearing open day helped me feel more confident about my decision to study at Swansea University and left me feeling eager to move into accommodation and start teaching in September.
Why Swansea?
I chose to apply to Swansea University through clearing because Swansea is a city I had visited before and felt comfortable moving to; furthermore, my Mum had completed part of her postgraduate degree at Swansea University and always talked positively about her experiences. Additionally, I had seen online that my course would be based on the newly built, state-of-the-art Bay Campus that is located right next to the beach that has easy, convenient public transport options into town, to the shops and to the train station.
One of the main reasons I decided to study at Swansea was the versatility of the BSC Accounting and Finance course; this is because the course allows you to undertake a year in industry or a year abroad if you want to, as well as allowing you to pick from a wide variety of modules for your second and third year studies. Furthermore, the Accounting and Finance course at Swansea University is accredited by and has close links with the global accounting bodies: ACCA, ICAEW and CIMA, which allows students to get a head start with becoming a Chartered Accountant with one of these bodies.
My Swansea Experience
My first year at Swansea University has been an incredible and unforgettable experience! Not only have I had the chance to meet and connect with people from all over the world, but I have also had the chance to grow and develop as a person by moving in with people I didn't know at the time but with people I now see as friends.
The lecturers in my course were very knowledgeable and passionate about their subjects. Furthermore, they always ensure that their lectures and teaching resources were always informative and engaging; in addition, they would always be available to help if you were unsure about any of the teaching content.
My time living in Bay Campus student accommodation during my first year has been fantastic; the accommodation has modern, spacious, and homely, with the added bonus of being near the beach, teaching and social spaces being just a walk away. Furthermore, the student community living on Bay Campus is inclusive and welcoming, which helped to make the campus feel like home.
There are plenty of opportunities at Swansea University to get involved in various clubs, societies, and events, which is a great way to meet new people and, most importantly, have fun!
Swansea as a city is a place that I can now call home; it is a small city where you can just about walk anywhere you need to go; however, it also has the big city feel with plenty of shops, restaurants and experiences that are all connected to the university campuses through a bike path and convenient public transport.
My Advice for Applying Through Clearing
Based on my experience, one of the best things you can do if you're going through clearing is to call the university's clearing helpline; it's there to help you, and sometimes talking to someone about your options can be more beneficial than reading through the university’s website.
I know that going through clearing can be a stressful time, especially after receiving your A-Level results. However, it's essential to try and stay calm and keep a positive outlook on your situation, as this can help put you on the path you're meant to be on and help you have the best university experience possible.
Firstly, Don't Panic, We Are Here To Help
You may not have got the results you were hoping for, or maybe you have had a last minute change of heart about your future, but this doesn’t mean you can’t still study accounting and finance this autumn. We are here to help, and will provide you with the knowledge you need to secure your place at university through Clearing. It may seem as though it’s a very stressful time right now, but coming through Clearing definitely doesn’t spell the end of your career in accounting and finance.
What Do You Need For Clearing?
I’d like to help you take some of the stress out of Clearing, so I have answered some common queries and provided some additional information, to hopefully help you prepare for Clearing and make the best out of the process.
