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Exam results helpline tells students not to panic

Exam Results Helpline advisers are currently preparing for thousands of calls from students (and parents) who are keen to understand their options after receiving unexpected exam results this year. Urging students to 'stay calm', advisers are on-hand between the 4 and 27 August to provide free, independent and expert information and advice about future options and next steps.

Last year, the helpline offered a lifeline to almost 9,000 students during the exam results period, a 9% increase on the number of calls taken in 2009.

Whether it is questions about continuing into further or higher education or pursuing different routes such as retraining, vocational qualifications, taking a gap year or finding employment, qualified and experienced careers advisers are on-hand to help. They can be reached on 0808 100 8000.

Supporting schools and colleges, the helpline opens once a year (across the A level, GCSE and Scottish exam results period) to provide free, independent and expert information and advice to students who don't receive the exam results they expect and more importantly don't know what to do next.

Delivered and provided by Skills Development Scotland (for students in Scotland) and delivered by UCAS on behalf of the Department for Education (for students in the rest of the UK), the helpline operates during the exam results period - this year, running from 4 - 27 August. The only careers helpline with access to UCAS applicants' information and higher education qualification details, advice is timely and accurate.

Nick Hynes, Careers Adviser and Exam Results Helpline Adviser comments:

"This can be an anxious time for students and their families - will they get the grades they need for university? Do they have a back-up plan just in case? Will their chosen course definitely point them in the right direction career-wise? What about alternatives to further and higher education? Our experienced careers advisers are here to offer professional and impartial advice on what the best choice might be taking into account individual circumstances and goals."

James Mcgaw, student, called the helpline last year. He says:

"Although I was upset when I first received my results, I was determined to get to the best university I possibly could and once I had thoroughly explored my options, it was clear what the right thing to do was. The Exam Results Helpline helped me to look at all the viable possibilities and set my mind at rest that I was making the right decision about my future and choosing the right route for me as an individual."

Media contact:
Sophie Chamings
s.chamings@ucas.ac.uk
t. 01242 544631
m. 07772 510184

Notes to editors

What is the Exam Results Helpline?

The Exam Results Helpline provides free, expert, and independent information and advice to students who receive higher or lower exam results than expected and want to explore alternative options for their futures.

Supporting schools, colleges and existing student advice channels, the helpline opens once a year across the A level, GCSE, Scottish Standard, Higher, Advanced Higher and Intermediate exam results period. It offers a lifeline to students who don't get the grades they expect and want to continue into further or higher education or pursue different routes such as retraining, vocational qualifications, taking a gap year or finding employment.

Advisers are fully qualified and trained with at least five years' experience working in a careers-based role. The only helpline with access to UCAS' Confirmation and Clearing data, the Exam Results Helpline offers information and advice in the following areas:

  • Work skills and experience
  • Qualifications and subject choices
  • Sixth form, college, university and other HE/FE options
  • Vocational learning routes
  • Gap year options
  • Finding a job, employment and setting up in business
  • Moving away from home to study
  • Re-sits and re-marks
  • Funding

Exam Results Helpline opening hours:

DateOpening hours
4 August Scottish exam results day0800:2000
5 August0800:2000
6-17 August0900:1700
Thursday 18 August A-level exam results day0800:2000
Friday 19 August0900:1900
Saturday 20 August0900:1700
Sunday 21 August0900:1700
Monday 22 August0900:1800
Tuesday 23 August0900:1800
Wednesday 24 August0900:1800
Thursday 25 August GCSE exam results day0900:1900
Friday 26 August0900:1700
Saturday 27 August0900:1200noon

The helpline is delivered by Skills Development Scotland from 4-17 August for students in Scotland receiving their Higher, Standard, Advanced Higher and Intermediate results. For the rest of the UK, it is delivered by UCAS on behalf of the Department for Education from 18 - 27 August for students receiving their A level and GCSE exam results. The Exam Results Helpline number is 0808 100 8000. Calls are free from landlines and select mobile networks.

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