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National helpline gets geared up for students receiving GCSE results

Careers advisers from the national Exam Results Helpline are preparing to provide valuable information and advice to students (and their parents) across the UK who receive unexpected GCSE exam results (whether higher or lower) and want to explore alternative future options.

Open since 18 August for students receiving unexpected A level results, the helpline has received a significant 6929 calls so far * - an increase of 3% on calls answered in 2010.

On GCSE exam results day last year, the helpline offered a lifeline to almost 700 students and almost 9000 students across the whole exam results period.

With phones busily ringing, common queries so far have included: re-taking exams in preparation for university next year, moving into employment with an Apprenticeship, action to take following specific job offers, using a gap year constructively and of course the UCAS Clearing and Adjustment system.

Careers advisers from the Exam Results Helpline are on hand until 12 noon on Saturday 27 August to provide information and advice to students (and their parents) across the UK. They can be reached on 0808 100 8000 (calls are free from landlines and select mobile networks).

Sarah Bull, Careers Adviser and Exam Results Helpline Adviser comments:

"It's imperative that students get good advice about the range of options available to them after GCSEs. Taking A levels is not for everyone, it may be that an Apprenticeship or a BTEC is a much more suitable option - giving students the opportunity to gain employability skills, achieve a qualification and potentially earn a wage at the same time. Each student must look at what's right for them."

Conor Lynch, student, called the Exam Results Helpline last year after not getting the grades he expected, comments:

"After speaking to the Exam Results Helpline, I realised I had options. I came away with a plan in place and felt so much more positive about my future."

Delivered by UCAS on behalf of the Department for Education, the helpline opens for 10 days across the exam results period to support schools and colleges during a potentially very demanding time. It Provides students with free, independent and expert information and advice about continuing into further or higher education, or pursuing different routes such as vocational qualifications, taking a gap year or finding employment.

Advisers are fully qualified with at least five years' experience working in a careers-based role. The only careers helpline with access to UCAS applicants' information and higher education qualification details, advice is timely and accurate.

Media contact:
Sophie Chamings
Email: s.chamings@ucas.ac.uk
tel: 01242 544631
mobile: 07772 510184

Notes to editors

*this figure was recorded at 6pm on Monday 22 August and counts the number of calls answered from 8am on Thursday 18 August.

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.

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.

Supporting schools, colleges and existing student advice channels, the helpline supports students who don't get the grades they expect and want to continue into further and higher education or pursue different routes such vocational qualifications, taking a gap year or finding employment.

Advisers are fully qualified 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 and employment
  • Moving away from home to study
  • Re-sits and re-marks
  • Funding

Exam Results Helpline opening hours:

DateOpening hours
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 August0900:1200

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