The things to consider after accepting a university place through clearing

You’ve done it! After what may have been a rather nerve-wracking experience that may’ve included a number of phone calls and internet searches, you’ve found a place on a course that suits you. While you may have passed the initial gauntlet, there are still a number of things to bear in mind during the exciting post-clearing phase, all of which are truly important and will allow you to start your university journey in the easiest, most enjoyable manner possible.

Ensure you have access to finance

Chances are that if you’ve accepted a place through the clearing process, you may need to alter the details on your loan application or start from scratch. This might sound like the beginning of another period of stress, but there’s no need to worry. Whether you need to change your details or apply for a loan outright, simply head to Student Finance England and follow the on-screen instructions, returning the posted declaration as quickly as possible.

Bear in mind, however, that the deadlines for loan applications have now passed (31st May for full-time students, 1st September for part-time) and late applicants may find that their funds are received late. The funding body will endeavour to give you some money as fast as possible, but always make sure you have some cash in reserve for those initial payments. Many universities will postpone fee deadlines if you can prove your application is with Student Finance, but you will need to ensure that you can pay for other things such as rent deposits, food and textbooks.

Make sure to secure accommodation

So you’ve got the course and funding out of the way, now for the last hurdle -accommodation. The first thing you should do is have a chat with your parents, drawing up a quick budget together so you can quickly and easily work your way through the options available to you.

If you’ve applied to GSM London, call up our Accommodation Manager at 020 3740 3760, or send an email to [email protected]. Explain what your requirements are - what sorts of accommodation you would like to live in and what your budget is, for instance – and make sure to note down the options available to you. Whether you’d prefer to live in private accommodation, share with other students, live in professionally-managed house shares or bed down in a student hostel, there are definitely options open to you!

Before you make any solid decisions, it’s always a good idea to also do a quick internet search and find out more about the area surrounding your final choices. Getting to know the area in which you’re going to be living is paramount; you might end up staying there for three years, after all!

Get in the right mind-set

Whatever you’re choosing to study, be it undergraduate, masters or a training course, making sure you get the most out of your time as GSM London is incredibly important. You may be sent reading materials and particular research areas prior to the start of your course to ease you in to study and provide you with background knowledge. Immerse yourself within these resources and you’ll be off to a flying start! Once you arrive for your first semester, the First Semester Engagement team will be on hand to assist you in your first tentative steps at GSM London. Don’t be afraid to ask for help, advice or assistance!

Going to university is one of the most enjoyable experiences life has to offer, and with us, you’ll get all the help you need to get the training you require and the career of your dreams. Good luck!