School-leavers plan ahead for the big day – August 15

School-leavers turned down by both their first and second choice enter Clearing a course "sale" where universities match vacancies on courses to students.

Students can also enter Clearing if they haven't applied through the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) and decide at the last moment to go into higher education.

Rachel Hewitt, who organises student recruitment at Kingston, said: "If students just miss out on the grades they need to take up a place at their first-choice university or insurance place, they must remember not to panic.

"They should ring the university straight away to find out whether they are prepared to accept students with the points they have."

Ms Hewitt added: "Students should think ahead and consider where they might like to go if they need to look for alternative courses.

"Get prospectuses, visit websites and even visit campuses."

She suggests that on August 15 students check out the full list of vacancies by buying the Independent or Mirror newspaper, or visit the UCAS website at www.ucas. com

Ms Hewitt advises calling universities straight away, as last year places on popular courses at Kingston University were filled by 11am.

Students can contact Kingston University's Clearing hotline on 020 8547 7575 from 8.30am on the big day or log on to the online clearing system at www.kingston.ac.uk /clearing where there will be a full list of course vacancies.

Students already offered a place at the university and wanting to confirm should ring 020 8547 7777.