Clearing opens on 5 July and closes on 20 October.

Universities make an offer to a student to join a course based on qualifications and grades or the Ucas tariff points system, external.

Each A-level grade is worth a certain number of Ucas points. For example, an A* is worth 56 points and a D is worth 24 points.

Many students decide not to go to university and start an apprenticeship or go straight into work.

Others take a gap year, external so they have more time to decide what to do next.