Clearing applications have opened at the University of Suffolk, with opportunities available across a broad range of courses, as highlighted by a former student from the Shotley peninsula, who wrote for the forerunner of Peninsula Nub News..

Clearing allows students to apply directly to universities, including for students who achieved grades both higher or lower than expected; who have changed their minds about where they want to go; who did not accept places from any of their offers or who have yet to apply for university at all. 

Clearing advisors are ready to talk to prospective students through their options, with advice on key areas such as student finance and accommodation also available. 

The University has a broad range of courses available, including Adult Nursing, Diagnostic Radiography, Law, Psychology, Biomedical Science, Computing, and Business Management among others. 

Clearing campus and accommodation tours are also taking place this month for applicants to take a look around the vibrant Waterfront campus and living options. Those take place from 12pm to 2pm on Saturday 19 August, and from 4.30pm to 6.30pm on Wednesday 23 August.

Alumnus Solomon Holmes graduated with a BA in English in 2021 and a Merit in the Creative and Critical Writing MA in 2022, and applied to the University of Suffolk through Clearing in 2018.

Solomon, from Shotley and whose family still live in Chelmondiston, had been studying at a different university but felt the course wasn't right for him, opting to take a year out where he wrote for local blogs and news websites (including Shotley peninsula News and Features).

He decided to pursue his love of writing, applying for the English course through Clearing, and his published work included this. Shotley tree immortalised...

He said: "I chose the University of Suffolk because they have a really good reputation for graduate employability. 

"The initial chat with the admissions team was helpful and reassuring. From that first conversation they put me at ease, and they really are here to help you. 

"Applying through Clearing doesn't make you any different – regardless of any concerns or worries you have. Once you start the course and meet people those worries very quickly go away and it is very worthwhile." 

Mohammad Dastbaz, Deputy Vice-Chancellor at the University of Suffolk said: "This time of year can be an anxious time for prospective students, but our admissions advisors are ready to help guide you through options available here at the University of Suffolk.

"We have a broad range of courses students can apply for, and with exciting developments across our campus it has never been a better time to join us.

"Our students enjoy exceptional outcomes, with Suffolk being ranked number one nationally for graduates' quality of work in the spring Higher Education Statistics Agency data.

"We are also proud to have improved by 20 places in the latest Complete University Guide rankings, and to have topped 119 universities for reducing our campus carbon emissions by 64 per cent over the last six years, demonstrating that Suffolk is a real destination of choice for our students."

In the latest National Student Survey (NSS) results published last week, the University of Suffolk scored a 92.7 per cent positivity rating on how well staff explain things to students – 1.5 percentage points above the national benchmark, and an 86.7 per cent positivity rate for staff making their subjects engaging – 1.8 percentage points above the national benchmark

In addition, students reported an 88 per cent positivity rating on how well courses developed their skills and knowledge needed in future, which was 1.8 percentage points above the national benchmark, while an 89.2 per cent positivity rate was reported on how well courses built on what students had already learned – two percentage points up on the national benchmark.

To find out more about opportunities available and how to apply, visit the university website at www.uos.ac.uk/clearing or speak to one of our admissions advisors by calling 01473 338352.