A-Level Results Day 2026 Checklist
Thursday 13 August 2026 — results are usually available from around 8:00am UK time, though this varies by school or college.
Before results day
- Know your firm and insurance choices and the exact grades each one requires
- Check your contact details are correct in your UCAS Hub
- Find your Clearing number in your UCAS application and write it down
- Save the phone numbers of your firm and insurance universities
- Plan how you will get your results: in person, by email, or through your school portal
- Charge your phone the night before
- Agree with a parent, carer or friend who you will call first
On results morning
- Sign in to your UCAS Hub early — it is usually updated before you collect your slip
- Collect your results slip from your school or college
- Check your status in UCAS Hub: placed, unsuccessful, or waiting for confirmation
- Speak to staff before making any decision
- Do not make an irreversible decision in the first hour
If you got the grades you needed
Your place will normally show as confirmed in your UCAS Hub. Contact your university or college if anything looks wrong.
If you narrowly missed your grades
Check your status in UCAS Hub first. Many universities still confirm places on slightly lower grades. Do not assume you have lost your offer. If your firm choice is not confirmed, your insurance choice may be. Speak to your school and to the university admissions team.
If your firm and insurance choices do not work out
Clearing lets you apply for courses that still have places, from results day through to late September. If you are eligible, you may see a "See matches" button in your UCAS application showing suggested courses. You can also search Clearing vacancies directly and phone universities yourself.
If your results are better than expected
If your grades are better than expected, you may want to explore different courses or universities. UCAS Adjustment is no longer available, so this now works through Clearing.
If you are holding an unconditional firm place and no longer want to take it up, you may be able to use the "Decline my place" option in your UCAS application to release yourself into Clearing.
Use this carefully. If you decline your place, your confirmed place is cancelled and you may also lose related arrangements such as accommodation or scholarships. You will also lose your insurance place. You should only do this if you are sure you no longer want your place.
Before declining your place, speak to your school, college, adviser, or the university or college involved. If you are considering another course or university, check the official Clearing guidance and speak to the provider before making a final decision.
If you want to stay at the same university or college but change course, speak to them directly first rather than declining your place.
If you think a grade is wrong
Ask your school or exam centre about a review of marking or an appeal through the relevant exam board. There are deadlines, so raise it as soon as possible. Reviews are requested by your centre, not by you directly.
Official links
- UCAS — What is Clearing? (https://www.ucas.com/applying/after-you-apply/clearing-and-results-day/what-is-clearing)
- UCAS — Declining your firm place (https://www.ucas.com/applying/after-you-apply/clearing-and-results-day/results-day/declining-your-firm-place)
- UCAS — Your Clearing matches (https://www.ucas.com/applying/after-you-apply/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing/your-clearing-matches)
- JCQ — Post-Results Services (https://www.jcq.org.uk/examination-results-and-post-results/)
- Ofqual (https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/ofqual)
More from TimeInUK
This is not an official source. Dates and times are provided as a helpful guide only. Always check final arrangements with your school, college, exam board, UCAS or local authority where relevant. TimeInUK is not UCAS, Ofqual, an exam board or an official school source.
https://timeinuk.co.uk/a-level-results-day-2026-checklist/ — TimeInUK.co.uk