What made you apply for your course at RGU through the Clearing process?

I applied to UCAS for Master of Pharmacy, at the time, I was confident that I wanted to study in Glasgow doing either a Pharmacy or Chemistry-based degree. My first final choice was Pharmacy at Strathclyde University. However, when Results Day arrived, I had not met the conditions on my Advanced Highers, despite achieving the correct grades for RGU during my Highers. This made me realise I would not have been happy if I did not end up studying Pharmacy that year, so I contacted RGU within a few hours of receiving my results to ask if they would reconsider me for their MPharm course.

What was your experience of the Clearing process and what advice would you give to potential students considering applying through Clearing?

I initially thought the Clearing process would be stressful as I thought I had left everything last minute and would leave myself studying a degree I didn't fully enjoy. I was also concerned that RGU would have no spaces left or realise what I had done and think I was being cheeky asking for them to re-consider me! However, the representative I spoke to on the phone was very helpful and ensured everything was checked and completed quickly in order for me to be reconsidered. Within a day or two, my UCAS had changed to update my confirmed choice as MPharm at RGU to start that September.

To potential students considering using the Clearing process, I feel that it is important to utilise the University phone lines as soon as you know your plan, as well as updating your choice on your UCAS account. By contacting RGU when I did, I was quickly reassured that I would be able to study Pharmacy there, which meant I didn't spend Results Day stressing about my next steps.

Did you make the right decision to come to RGU through Clearing? Why?

I feel I definitely made the right decision to come to RGU as I have now graduated with a Masters in Pharmacy with Distinction, which I believe shows that RGU brought the best out in me! I enjoyed Aberdeen as a city considerably more than I thought I would, when I previously had my heart set on Glasgow. I also feel that RGU puts their students first, as I knew I had support any time I needed it throughout my degree and thoroughly enjoyed myself despite having a full workload for four years.

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About Clearing

From 5 July , we will be taking applications through Clearing via UCAS. It is your opportunity to apply to the Scottish University of the Year even if you don’t get the exact required grades, have not previously applied, or have previously declined our offer. Clearing is open to anyone who does not have a place at university starting this September, or even if you have a place but have changed your mind on the course or university you want to study at.

We try to take account of all the results and your individual circumstances, and even if your first choice is not available, we may be able to offer you a place on a similar course, so it’s always worth getting in touch.