ñޜOne phone call changed my lifeñޝ

How student Zac Chung became the first in his family to go to university thanks to Clearing
Clearing student Zac Chung

ñޜOne phone call changed my lifeñޝ

How student Zac Chung became the first in his family to go to university thanks to Clearing

Zac Chung, from Ammanford, near Swansea, did well in his GCSEs and was set on a career in education. But sadly A levels didnñޙt go his way.
ñޜIñޙd applied to a few unis but when my results came through, I didnñޙt get in. As well as being downhearted, I didnñޙt really know what was next.ñޝ 
The 19-year-old, whose passion for helping others was in part inspired by volunteering for an animal rescue centre, still wanted to look at education, but assumed his results precluded him from applying. Thatñޙs when his mum mentioned Clearing. 
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Literally, it was just a ñޘIñޙll ring up and see what happensñޙ.

I looked at ñ as Iñޙd been to an open day, and got chatting to the team. Soon enough, I was speaking to one of the academics in Education, and, while I didnñޙt have the grades for the programme, she set me a task to complete ñޓ writing an essay on gender equality in education. 

In addition to an interview, I did well enough to be accepted onto the Early Childhood Studies/Education with Foundation Year programme.

I got the confirmation when I was over at my friendñޙs and I flipped! It was only two weeks before term started, so a very quick turnaround and quite stressful, but after securing accommodation my experience began. 
Since coming to ñ, Zac has embraced university life. In addition to passing every assignment, he has joined the Studentsñޙ Union video game society as its charity officer, raising nearly £2,000 for charities related to gaming accessibility. 
He has also secured a job in a local fish and chip shop, and is looking forward to selecting the destination for his upcoming placement year.

Doing a foundation year has been great, as it equips you with the skills you need for uni ñޓ like researching, referencing, and presentations.

Now Iñޙm looking forward to the three years of degree study, and may even try to do my second-year placement abroad. Either way, Education doesnñޙt necessarily mean you have to work in a school ñޓ there are placement options in places like the aquarium, charities and even a prison. 

I hadnñޙt planned to move far away from home, but Iñޙm glad I did as my confidence has grown so much.

While, of course, I was initially disappointed on A Level results day, Clearing really helped and Iñޙm delighted to be the first in my family to go to uni. Ultimately one phone call changed my life, and Iñޙm so pleased it did. 
Zac Chung, who came to the ñ through Clearing 
Zac Chung Clearing student walking to uni
Zac Chung Clearing student sitting under tree with laptop
Zac Chung Clearing student reading in Drake's

Zac is doing brilliantly well here at ñ. He was offered an interview and an interview task to see if he had the capability, aspiration and commitment to do well at university, even though he didnñޙt quite have the grades.

He passed both of these and was very thankful for the opportunity to study here and initially hoped to improve and develop his skills. He has exceeded his own expectations and shown great commitment, energy, enthusiasm and passion for the course and has passed all assignments very well. 
Weñޙre so pleased he called, and his story is testament to the fact that grades are just one element which tells us about you and your potential. If exams donñޙt go to plan, weñޙre still here to help find the best route forward based on your whole application.

Louise WebberDr Louise Webber
Early Childhood Studies and Education admissions tutor

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BA (Hons) Education Studies - careers