A Level Results Day: Guide for Parents

After all the intensity of exams, results day can loom large in your child’s mind. But it is just one day in a longer process. Whatever happens, there will be time to make decisions, explore options, and find the right path forward.

We walk you through how you can support your child in this A Level Results Day guide for parents. We’ll explore how to prepare and how to navigate different outcomes so you can plan for the future. 

Key Takeaways

• A Level results are released in mid-August, with UCAS Hub typically updating from 8am onwards

• Your child's university place can be confirmed, held pending review, or released — each scenario has clear next steps

• Clearing isn't a backup plan for failure — it's a legitimate route that thousands of students use successfully each year

• The best support you can offer is calm reassurance and practical help, not panic or taking over decision-making

When Is A Level Results Day?

A Level Results Day falls on a Thursday in mid-August each year. Results are typically released early in the morning — most schools open between 8am and 9am for students to collect results in person, though some offer online access through student portals.

UCAS Hub (opens in a new tab), the system where university offers are managed, usually updates from around 8am. Your child can check whether their place has been confirmed before collecting physical results, though many prefer to open results first.

Check out our article for students about A Level Results day for details of Results Day this year. 

What to Expect on the Day

Here's the typical timeline:

Results Day Timeline

6am–8am: UCAS Hub Updates

• The UCAS Hub (opens in a new tab) begins updating from around 8am (sometimes earlier)

• Your child can log in to see their university offer status

8am–10am: Results Collection

• Schools open for students to collect paper results

• Staff available to answer questions and provide guidance

8am–12pm: Initial Reactions and Decisions

• Students process results and compare them to offers

• Clearing hotlines open (usually from 8am)

• Universities may contact students directly

Throughout the Day: Action Time

• If entering clearing, students research courses and call universities

• If appealing results, students discuss options with school staff

Your role is to be available without being overbearing. Let your child lead, but be ready with practical support.

Understanding UCAS and University Offers

Key UCAS Terms

• Firm choice: Your child's first-choice university. If they meet this offer, they're committed to attending.

• Insurance choice: The backup option with typically lower grade requirements.

• Conditional offer: The university accepts your child if they achieve specific grades (e.g., "AAB including Biology A").

• Unconditional offer: The place is guaranteed regardless of results.

What UCAS Hub Statuses Mean

"Conditions met — Congratulations!" Your child achieved the required grades and their place is confirmed. They don't need to do anything except celebrate and prepare for university.

"Conditions not met" They haven't met their firm choice. UCAS automatically checks if they've met their insurance offer. If not, they enter clearing.

"Awaiting decisions" The university is reviewing results and will decide shortly. This often happens when results are very close to the offer. Universities frequently make exceptions — wait for confirmation within a few hours.

"You are in clearing" They haven't met either offer and can now apply for courses with available places. This isn't the end — it's a different route to university.

How to Support Your Child Whatever the Results

Your emotional response will significantly influence how your child processes results.

On the morning:

• Let them open results first, in their own time

• Listen more than you speak

• Avoid immediate comparisons to others

• Keep your own anxiety in check

Your language matters: Try "You worked so hard for this" instead of "I'm so proud of you" (which can imply conditional love). Try "Let's look at options together when you're ready" instead of "What are you going to do now?"

If They Meet or Exceed Their Offer

Immediate steps:

• Check UCAS Hub confirms the place

• Celebrate the good A Level grades! 

In the coming weeks:

• Sort student accommodation

• Apply for student finance if not done

• Attend welcome days or freshers' events

If they've significantly exceeded their offer, they may want to use "Adjustment" — a UCAS system allowing students to look for places at higher-ranking universities while keeping their current offer. This window only opens for a few days - our article on UCAS Adjustment will walk you through it. 

If They Miss Their Grades

First, check insurance offer status. Many students panic without realizing they've met their insurance offer.

Options to discuss:

• Clearing: The most common route. Many excellent universities have spaces available, often in the exact course your child wanted. 

• Appealing results: If results seem genuinely wrong, schools can request a review. However, appeals take weeks and grades can go down as well as up.

• Resitting exams: Allows reapplying with stronger grades but means deferring university by a year. Make sure to get your child to use our A Level revision resources.

• Alternative courses: Sometimes missing grades is an opportunity to reconsider better-suited options.

• Gap year: Time to work, travel, or gain experience before reapplying.

Don't rush decisions. It's okay to take a day or two before committing to clearing. If they have failed any A Levels, there are still options: Our article on what to do if you fail your A Levels will help.

A Parent's Role in Clearing

Clearing is where universities with unfilled places make them available to students without confirmed offers.

Step-by-step clearing process:

Step 1: Check UCAS Hub Status will say "You are in clearing" and display a clearing number needed when contacting universities.

Step 2: Search for available courses Use the UCAS clearing vacancy search tool (opens in a new tab). Make a shortlist of 5–10 courses matching your child's results and interests.

Step 3: Research properly Don't grab the first place. Check course content, facilities, location, and student satisfaction.

Step 4: Call universities directly Your child calls clearing hotlines with their clearing number, results, personal statement, and UCAS ID ready.

Step 5: Add clearing choice Once a university informally agrees, your child adds that choice in UCAS Hub.

Step 6: Confirmation The university formally confirms the place.

How Parents Can Help (Without Taking Over)

Do:

• Help research courses online

• Make a spreadsheet of options

• Sit with them during calls for support

• Take notes during conversations

Don't:

• Make the calls yourself (universities want to speak to students)

• Push them toward a course just because it's prestigious

• Rush them into accepting the first offer

Our article on UCAS Clearing will guide you further.

What If My Child Doesn't Want to Go to Uni?

University might not be the right path for your child. Take their ideas and feelings seriously - they .

Alternative routes:

• Apprenticeships: Combine work with study, earn while learning, graduate debt-free. Learn more with our article on degree apprenticeships.

• Employment: Entry-level roles with training opportunities

• Gap year: Work, volunteer, or gain clarity before committing to study. We explain it all in our article on gap years.

• Foundation years: Build knowledge before starting a degree

• Alternative qualifications: BTECs, HNCs, professional certifications

Have honest conversations about what's driving uncertainty: fear of leaving home, doubt about subject choice, financial concerns, or burnout?

Preparing for A Level Results Day in Advance

Two weeks before:

• Test UCAS Hub login details

• Check school's results collection plan

• Research clearing as a family

• Discuss possible outcomes calmly

• Save key contact numbers

One week before:

• Agree on the plan for results day

• Create a "Plan B" list of alternatives

• Do something fun and distracting

Night before:

• Get an early night

• Prepare ID, phone, chargers

• Remind your child: "We'll figure it out together"

Results Day Checklist for Parents

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I collect my child's A Level results for them?

Most schools allow parents to collect results with written permission from the student. Policies vary, so check beforehand. Some schools only release results to students or via secure online portals.

What time does UCAS Hub update?

UCAS Hub typically updates from around 8am on results day, though sometimes as early as 6am. If it hasn't updated by mid-morning, contact UCAS or the university.

Should we call universities ourselves if there's a problem?

No — universities need to speak directly to students for data protection and to assess communication skills. Your role is to support during the call (sit with them, help prepare questions, take notes), but let them make the call.

Is it worth appealing A Level results?

Appeals are worth pursuing if there's genuine evidence of error — results wildly out of line with mocks and coursework, or administrative mistakes. Appeals take weeks and grades can also go down. Speak to school on results day. Many students find clearing faster than waiting for appeals.

Final Thoughts

Your child's worth and future success are not defined by A Level grades. Whether they exceed expectations, meet goals, or face disappointment, the path forward exists. It might just look different from the original plan.

The best gift you can give is your calm, informed presence. Show them that challenges are manageable, setbacks temporary, and that you believe in their ability to adapt and thrive. Your support — practical, emotional, and unconditional — will stay with them far longer than any particular grade.

Remember: this is one day in a much longer journey. Whatever results they open, you'll face it together.

We have plenty more Results Day advice on our Learning Hub. For expert support and resources, visit Save My Exams’ A Level revision resources and results day guides to help you stay prepared for what comes next. Good luck!

References

• UCAS Hub  (opens in a new tab)

• UCAS Hub (opens in a new tab) 

• UCAS clearing vacancy search tool (opens in a new tab)