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University of Essex: Adjustment 2009

Adjustment: Frequently Asked Questions

 
  1. Clearing Hotline number: 01206 873666What is Adjustment?
  2. Am I eligible for Adjustment?
  3. What is the Adjustment Period?
  4. I am eligible for Adjustment. What do I do next?
  5. How do I find out about Adjustment vacancies?
  6. Can I apply for Adjustment at a University I put down on my UCAS form that I declined?
  7. How is Adjustment different from Clearing?
  8. I am applying for an Adjustment vacancy. Can I visit the University?

  9. I registered for Adjustment but have decided to keep my original choice?

1. What is Adjustment?

Adjustment is the process by which applicants who have met and exceeded the terms of their conditional firm choice can apply for a different course at a different University. Adjustment is available to UK, EU and international students.

If your conditional firm choice has been confirmed and your results are higher than the conditions specified in your offer you can, if you wish, register for Adjustment and apply for another course at another institution. You have 5 calendar days (120 hours) from the point when your conditional firm choice (CF) was confirmed (now unconditional firm - UF) to 'adjust' or find another course - this is called the Adjustment Period. You can register for Adjustment via UCAS Track. Your personal Adjustment Period will be calculated by UCAS and will be shown in UCAS Track.

If you are eligible for Adjustment remember that it is entirely optional. You should consider carefully whether it is right for you to apply for a course at a different University. You are advised to consider the following:

  • is the course right for you?
  • where will you live? Does the University still have accommodation available?
  • is the University right for you? Is it campus-based or in a city centre? Try to visit if you can. The University of Essex provides two Open Days for Clearing and Adjustment applicants to help you with your research. You can also arrange an individual visit.

If you decide to 'adjust' and move to a different University remember also that you will need to make changes to your funding arrangements. UK students will need to notify the Student Loans Company of a late change and may experience a delay in receiving their funding. European Union students will need to contact the EU Assessment Team and inform them of any changes.

If you go ahead with Adjustment you will not lose your original confirmed place until you are offered a place through Adjustment at another institution.

2. Am I eligible for Adjustment

Only applicants who were holding a conditional firm (CF) choice and who have met and exceeded terms their CF offer are eligible for Adjustment. Adjustment is not available to you if:

  • your original offer was unconditional (UF)
  • you have a confirmed place on a changed course offer

Applicants are not allowed to 'adjust' their insurance choice. This means that Adjustment is not available to you if you do not get your first choice place but your insurance place is confirmed, i.e. your status changes from CI to UF.

Adjustment is available to UK, EU and international students.

3. What is the Adjustment Period?

If you are eligible for Adjustment you will have a personal Adjustment Period of 5 calendar days (120 hours) from the point when your conditional firm (CF) choice is confirmed. Adjustment starts on 20 August 2009, so your personal Adjustment Period will start on 20 August or as soon after that as the University where you are CF confirms your place.

Adjustment ends on 2 September 2009 for all applicants regardless of when their CF choice was confirmed. For example, in the unlikely event that your place was confirmed on 1 September 2009 you would have only one day to 'adjust'.

4. I am eligible for Adjustment. What do I do next?

If you are eligible for Adjustment and interested in finding a new course, you should first research your options. There will be no central list of Adjustment vacancies as there is for Clearing. You are advised to check University websites to find out about Adjustment vacancies. Where places are available to Clearing applicants they are likely to be available to Adjustment applicants.

Once you have decided to go ahead with Adjustment you should:

  • register for Adjustment via UCAS Track
  • contact the relevant University by telephone to discuss making an Adjustment application. You can contact the University of Essex as follows:
  • wait for the University to make a selection decision. This should take no more than 24 hours. If you apply to the University of Essex we will give you a decision by e-mail or by telephone. decide if you want to accept an offer.

Please note that once a University makes you an Adjustment offer through UCAS your original firm choice (UF) will be withdrawn and replaced by the Adjustment place.

5. How do I find out about Adjustment vacancies?

There will be no central list of Adjustment vacancies as there is for Clearing. You are advised to check University websites to find out about Adjustment vacancies. Where places are available to Clearing applicants they are likely to be available to Adjustment applicants.

6. Can I apply for Adjustment at a University I put down on my UCAS form that I declined?

Yes, as long as you have met and exceeded your original conditional firm (CF) offer, you are eligible for Adjustment and you can apply again to any University that has Adjustment vacancies available. This includes a University that you put down on your original UCAS form even if you declined an offer from that institution.

7. How is Adjustment different from Clearing?

Adjustment is only available for applicants who have met and exceeded their original conditional firm (CF) offer and who are now unconditional firm (UF) on their first choice course.

Clearing is available to applicants who applied through UCAS but have not been offered a place after receiving their results.

8. I am applying for an Adjustment vacancy. Can I visit the University?

If you are applying for a course through Adjustment you are strongly advised to undertake some research about the course and University of your choice. Do visit the University if you can to find out more about the course, the department, student accommodation and other facilties.

The University of Essex provides two Open Days to help you with your research. You can also arrange an individual visit.

9. I registered for Adjustment but have decided to keep my original choice?

If you do not receive a place via Adjustment, you will automatically revert back to your original unconditional firm (UF) choice when your personal Adjustment period ends.

Rebecca Young, second-year BA Sociology student, Ashford, Kent