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Clearing Made Easy: A Journey to Finding the Perfect University Fit
Thursday, 11 July, 2024 — We sit down with BA (Hons) Fashion Alumna Molly Adlington and find out what her experience of clearing was like, as well as share useful resources and tips.
<p dir="ltr">Results day is just around the corner (sorry!), and while it's an exciting time for many, it can also be stressful. Whether you're worried about your grades or uncertain about your choice of university or course, the <a href="https://www.ucas.com/clearing-launch">UCAS Clearing</a> service is a vital option to be aware of.</p>
<p dir="ltr">We sat down with <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-design">BA (Hons) Fashion</a> graduate <a href="https://www.instagram.com/mollyannfash/">Molly Adlington</a>, who joined Arts University Plymouth through Clearing. Molly talked us through her Clearing journey and where she is now. Remember, it's not too late to apply to study with us in September 2024. At Arts University Plymouth, we know there’s more to every Clearing applicant than their results, and we’ll work to find the best route for your future. <br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Molly Adlington joined Arts University Plymouth in 2020 through Clearing to study BA (Hons) Fashion (now <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-fashion-design">BA (Hons) Fashion Design</a>). During Graduate Fashion Week 2023, Molly had her collection featured as part of the Talent of Tomorrow campaign, as well as being shortlisted for the Childrenswear award. Molly was included in Draper’s picks from Graduate Fashion Week 2023. Molly has since moved to London, working at fashion brand Boden, as a Childrenswear Design Admin Assistant. 2020 was a turbulent year, especially for students, due to the chaos of COVID-19. For Molly, the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/clearing">Clearing service</a> was a crucial part of her decision-making process.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">“I used the Clearing service in 2020, during peak Covid time, as I had changed my mind about where I wanted to study. The university that I was originally meant to be going to didn’t offer any tours or reassurance. I felt as though I wasn’t being valued, which made me question whether I wanted to attend there. I was told about Arts University Plymouth by a friend and although it was the day before results day I was brought on a tour around the campus. They were very accommodating and reassuring.”<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Whether you're considering us through Clearing in July or October, we’re happy to talk to you in whatever way works best for you, whether that’s a phone call, messaging us on WhatsApp, or coming in to see us on campus.<br /></p>
<p>The Clearing application process is straightforward and easily accessible. Unlike applying to university earlier in the year, you must make your UCAS Clearing application, submit it, and then add your choices. UCAS has created a useful step-by-step guide which you can access <a href="https://www.ucas.com/clearing-launch">here</a>.</p>
From memory the clearing process was so quick and easy, within a few days I had looked round, applied, had my interview and had been offered the place on UCAS
BA (Hons) Fashion Alumna Molly Adlington
<p dir="ltr">Whatever your reason for applying through Clearing, it’s normal to have anxiety around your decision—it's an important time! To reassure and help you as much as possible, we have a number of Clearing events, resources, and even a specific helpline you can call us on.<br /></p>
<p dir="ltr">Molly found the support at Arts University Plymouth to be incredibly helpful, especially during such a stressful period. Besides providing ample information about both the university and the courses, Molly appreciated being able to speak to course lecturers about what the next three years would entail, which helped guide her decision.<br /></p>
Heather Martin, BA (Hons) fashion Design Course Leader
<p dir="ltr">At Arts University Plymouth, we foster a culture of independence within our vibrant fashion program. We empower aspiring fashion thinkers, makers, and designers to embrace their creative journey and carve their path in the ever-evolving fashion landscape. By seamlessly blending traditional craft techniques with cutting-edge digital technologies, you'll transcend your ideas from mere concepts to tangible, three-dimensional creations. Our curriculum encourages innovation and individualism, preparing you for success in the dynamic world of fashion.<br /></p>
<p>“I loved the course, I found that you got a lot of freedom from very early on, which I enjoyed as well as how much help there was also. The class size was extremely small but I think for a subject like fashion and as someone who went into my degree with very little knowledge about making clothes, this meant more 1 on 1 time with tutors and technicians and was a good thing. I also loved the encouragement to explore the other subjects the uni offers, in my third year I spent a lot of time over in textiles and always felt welcome to do so.”</p>
My favourite thing about the course was third year, making my graduate collection was so exciting, and being able to really try out so many different things within the collection with help from tutors made it more enjoyable than stressful.
BA (Hons) Fashion Alumna Molly Adlington
Molly Adlington's Graduate Collection
<p dir="ltr">Our 13,000 square metres of studios and workshops across four buildings are filled with professional workspaces and state-of-the-art facilities. Home to our 2,000 strong community of student artists, designers and makers, our city-centre campus is a thriving creative hub of collaboration and innovation, thinking and making. A close-knit community where artists, designers and makers combine, it’s a place to explore and experiment with processes and materials, both contemporary and traditional.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Workshops within our LABS are open to students across specialisms. Fashion designers collaborate with filmmakers, fine artists with photographers, and animators with ceramicists. The opportunities for cooperation and exchange are endless and open for discovery.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth occupies a vibrant modern open-plan campus in the city centre. When you choose to study with us you’ll be exposed to a range of specialisms and study in a variety of multi-use spaces and studios, varying from seminar rooms and industry-standard workshops to bustling co-working spaces.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Having now graduated from Arts University Plymouth, Molly expressed much love for Plymouth as a city, “I loved Plymouth as a city, it’s nice to be in a city centre one minute and by the sea the next. Plymouth is small enough that you can walk everywhere and you can get to know it quickly”. <br /></p>
Plymouth Barbican
My advice would be not to stress about Clearing! Go to AUP with any questions or queries you have, as they would be more than happy to help!
BA (Hons) Fashion Alumna Molly Adlington
<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/clearing" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Clearing</a> is now open for 2024. It's not too late to apply to study with Arts University Plymouth in September 2024. From fashion, film, and fine art to games, graphic design, illustration, and animation—the world needs creatives now more than ever.</p>