University Hotline Teams Ready to Answer Clearing Calls
The teams, representing the university’s three campuses at Greenwich, Avery Hill and Medway, will be aiming to give everyone seeking a place at the university this autumn a very quick decision.
And their training ensures they will be able to answer a whole range of questions from school and college leavers, as well as mature students, looking to enrol for a programme this year.
Beverley Woodhams, Head of Central Recruitment, is co-ordinating the University of Greenwich Clearing Centre serving potential students across London and the South East.
She says: “We will be helping people who have gained higher and lower UCAS points than they were expecting, people who have changed their minds about the subjects they want to study, people wanting to change universities, and people seeking information about tuition fees, bursaries and accommodation.
“Our aim, whatever the question, is to talk people through the issues they are facing and address their concerns. It can be a difficult time, particularly for school and college leavers and their families.
“No-one should be rushing into decisions but nearly everyone formally applying for a course will receive an immediate response.”
The Clearing hotlines at the University of Greenwich will be open until the start of the new academic year in September.
For further information, call free on 0800 005 006 or visit www.gre.ac.uk and take advantage of the Open Days at the University of Greenwich campuses at Medway, Avery Hill and Maritime Greenwich on Saturday, August 19. The campuses will be open to the public from 10am to 3pm.
Top Tips for Clearing
Beverley has helped thousands of people through Clearing and on to degree courses. Her top tips this year are:
- Don’t panic – approximately 35,000 students gain university places through Clearing each year and there are more places available across the country than students to fill them
- Research both the course and the university you are interested in as thoroughly as possible before making any calls
- Pick up the phone when you are clear about what you are trying to achieve and the questions you need answered. Keeping a list of important questions by the phone will help you remember what you want to ask
- Clearing hotlines are very busy for the first day or so. Popular degrees fill up quickly but for most courses it may pay to shop around or wait until the first rush is over and call during the evening when the lines are a little quieter
- Talk through all the course options and career aspirations with the university experts – they can suggest alternative courses and career paths you may not have considered
- Don’t be shy – ask about bursaries, grants and tuition fees and how they apply to you and your chosen course
- Make time to visit the university – you need to feel comfortable about the location, campus and accommodation if you are going to study somewhere for three or four years
- You don’t have to accept the first place you are offered – you have up to two weeks to give a formal response
- Clearing is for everyone, not just school and college leavers, seeking to sign up for a degree course this year. Clearing hotline teams are trained to address the needs of students across all ages
Call the University of Greenwich Clearing hotline free on 0800 005 006 or visit www.gre.ac.uk
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