It's important not to panic if you fail your A Levels. You can still apply to university through Clearing. There are lots of other options as well, from resitting your exams to applying for a job.
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Check your university offer
Some universities make offers based on UCAS points rather than grades. That means that even if you fail your A Levels, you may still have enough overall UCAS points to be accepted. Log in to UCAS Hub to see whether you've been accepted by your chosen university.
You can find out how many UCAS points you have on our UCAS points calculator. Find out more about university entry requirements in our guide.
Apply through Clearing
If you haven't been accepted by your chosen university, don't worry. You can apply through Clearing instead.
Clearing courses have lower entry requirements. That means you may still be accepted even if you've failed your A Levels.
UCAS will automatically enrol you in Clearing if you haven't been accepted into university. They will show a list of similar courses that are in Clearing. This is a good starting point to do some research.
Once you see a course you like, visit the university's website to find out more. Here are a few things to consider:
- What modules will you study?
- Does the course have a year in industry or placements?
- What support is available at the university?
- Where is the university? Can you commute or move there?
When you've decided to apply for a course, you can call or apply online. The university can normally give you an offer straight away, unless you need to do an interview or audition. Find out more about applying through Clearing.
Clearing is becoming more and more common, and isn't something to be scared of. Lots of Clearing students are very successful. Check out some of our Clearing student stories.
Foundation year courses
Foundation years have lower entry requirements than a degree, so can be another great choice if you've failed your A Levels.
A foundation year is an extra year of study at the start of your degree. It helps to prepare you for university level study by building on your academic skills. You'll also study some course-specific content. In most cases, you'll automatically progress onto your degree once you pass.
You can still apply for a foundation year course through Clearing.
Resit your A Levels
You can resit your A Levels if you've failed. You might choose to resit your exams if you really want to go to a specific university, but didn't meet the entry requirements.
You should speak to your college about resitting your A Levels. Most colleges will support you. You will enrol for another year and attend lessons.
You can also resit your A Levels privately. However, you will need to pay the examination fees. This can be expensive, so do some research first. You will also be responsible for learning the course content yourself.
Appeal your results
You can appeal your A Level results if you think your grade is wrong. The exam board will remark your work. You will normally have to pay for this, unless your grade changes.
We would only recommend doing this if you were a few marks off the next grade. The exam boards will release their grade boundaries, so you can see how close you were to the next grade.
Can you go to university without A Levels?
Yes, you can go to university without A Levels. There are lots of alternative routes into university including BTECs, apprenticeships and work experience. That means even if you fail your A Levels, you can still go to university.
A lot of universities accept BTEC and apprenticeship qualifications. This may vary on a course-by-course basis. Find out more in our entry requirements guide.
We also offer a number of return to study courses. These are for people who may have relevant industry experience, but not the right qualifications. Once you've successfully completed the course, you can apply for a foundation year.
Apply for a job or apprenticeship
If you fail your A Levels, you might decide university isn't for you. There are still plenty of options out there.
You could apply for a job. Make sure your CV is focused on your skills, rather than your grades. Try to look for roles with opportunities to complete training. This will allow you to work your way up and progress in your role.
You could also look for an apprenticeship. Apprenticeships combine study with work experience. This can make you more employable in your field. Even if you've failed your A Levels, you could qualify for an Advanced, Higher or Degree Apprenticeship. Find out more about apprenticeships.
Gap year
Lots of students take a gap year after A Levels. This gives you the time to really think about what you want to do in the future.
Gap years aren't just for the rich. You can travel and work at the same time if you get a working visa. Just make sure to check the laws for each country.
You could also use your gap year to work in your chosen field. This can help you decide if it's right for you, before you commit to a degree or apprenticeship.
You can still apply to university or an apprenticeship after your gap year.
Self-care tips
You might feel upset, stressed and disappointed if you've failed your A Levels. It's important to take care of yourself in these moments. Here are some tips to help you through:
And remember, it's not the end of the world. While this may be a cliché, it's true. There's so many different options out there. You don't need A Levels to live a happy, fulfilling life.
If you are in distress and need help, you can:
Still not sure?
It's okay to be unsure what to do next. You don't have to make a decision right away. There are a lot of options to consider. You can call the National Careers Service for more advice on +44 (0) 800 100 900.
Where next?
This article has explored some of the options you have if you fail your A Levels. You can still apply to university through Clearing. Find out more about Clearing below.
