Confirmation and Clearing commences for 2023-24 students

A core team of around 70 staff are operating the phone lines to respond to calls from students, working closely with colleagues in Faculties and Schools who will consider applications for courses through the confirmation and clearing process. 

The team, based in our Student Services Centre, will deal with upwards of 10,000 calls over the confirmation and clearing period, with 6,000 of these alone being answered on the Thursday of results. As of 2pm Thursday afternoon, we had answered 2400 clearing calls and 1126 confirmation calls. 

The anticipated return in England to pre-pandemic grading levels has led to an increase in offer holders not meeting their offer conditions. While allowances have been made for this as far as possible, the University has a larger number of courses with vacancies this year. We have made sure that there are more call handlers available on the clearing line, ready to talk to interested applicants. Call handlers are also ready to talk to disappointed offer holders and offer support at this difficult time. 

We recognise that this very busy time of year has also been impacted by the recent cyber incident. Colleagues across ITS and admissions have been working tirelessly to develop contingency plans and to work with ongoing changes to our systems. A big thank you to all colleagues who were involved to minimise any impact on prospective students.  

Professor April McMahon, Vice-President for Teaching, Learning and Students, said: “On behalf of the Senior Leadership Team, I would like to thank the staff from across our University community who are answering calls, handling queries and doing their utmost to support students, parents and supporters through this time, which can be challenging and anxious for some and joyful and exhilarating for others. While lines are very busy, we know that our colleagues are responding to queries sympathetically and offering support to those that need it. 

“We are adapting well to the changing picture with reduced numbers of top A Level grades this year, and are active in both confirmation and clearing. Our popularity as an educational choice is as strong as ever and we welcome and congratulate new students who will be joining Manchester this year, through whichever route.” 

Courses available at our University at the commencement of the confirmation and clearing process at 8am on Thursday, 17 August are listed on our website, though there has been strong interest from excellent applicants, and some of these are already closing.