Applying through Clearing: Holly's journey as an international student

Holly's an international student studying Physiotherapy BSc (Hons) at The University of Liverpool who applied to us through Clearing. Find out about Holly's Clearing journey, from applying to preparing for university.

Why I applied in Clearing

I had applied for Physiotherapy courses earlier in UCAS, but it is a competitive subject and unfortunately, I had decided to study overseas relatively late and found many universities were already full.

The University of Liverpool has a high ranking, especially for my desired subject, where it is ranked 4th in the UK. I had therefore kept an eye on the availability of the Physiotherapy course to see if it would be available in clearing. I used the UCAS search tool to look for vacancies. Although I had a few offers from my 5 initial choices, I made the bold decision to go for my new top choice and apply for UoL in Clearing instead!

Clearing process

The application itself was surprisingly simple and quick. I filled in all the required information step-by-step. Even during this busy time of the year, when countless students were seeking admission, the university's online enquiry system provided timely responses. Their guidance and support were invaluable, and I felt encouraged to proceed with my application. Additionally, a dedicated staff member promptly addressed my specific questions and concerns, which helped to reassure me throughout the process.

Soon after, I received an invitation to an online interview alongside other clearing applicants. The university evaluated candidates efficiently and quickly provided me with an offer. The instructions were clear and concise, outlining the necessary steps to secure my place at the university, and I declined my other offers in UCAS and used self release in order to accept my clearing place at Liverpool.

Once the school provided me with an official offer, I was delighted and overjoyed! The university then quickly sent information regarding making an accommodation application, getting to the university, and invaluable tips to help me get ready and settle into university life.

Preparing for uni

The packing process was quite daunting as it is almost like moving your entire home to Liverpool. I found the Unibuddy platform quite useful as you could get in touch with current students, figure out what items and supplies were readily available in Liverpool and only bring those that were less easily accessed here. You will be surprised by how easy you can find things from home in supermarkets and stores! As an Asian student, I am shocked by how much Asian food and ingredients are there in Chinese supermarkets, international food stores or even Tesco or Sainsbury. This discovery brought me immense comfort as I knew I could easily find familiar items from home.

I utilised the airport meet and greet service, and was met at the airport by student ambassadors who helped me to find my way and travel to my accommodation on the university campus.

Settling into university life was made easier by participating in the activities organised during welcome week. From campus tours and city explorations to interactive workshops, sports team and society fairs and networking sessions, there was a wide range of events to choose from.

It is a great opportunity to familiarise yourself with the campus and the city, as well as meet other freshers and start building social networks. Most importantly, everyone is friendly and welcoming.

My advice for applying to Uni of Liverpool

So what can you prepare for when applying to UoL? The first and obvious one is to do more research. Whether you are still thinking about what area to study in or you already have a field in mind, you can explore the course list on Liverpool’s website, where you will find all the information you need.

When looking at information, it is also helpful to contact the university via the online enquiry form or email for any enquiries you have. Contacting the admission team would definitely provide you with the most accurate and helpful information. The Unibuddy platform is another fantastic tool that allows you to contact current students of UoL. You can select the region they are from, or the subject they study according to your interests. They are the best people to ask about student experience and uni life, as they are sharing a student’s perspective! You could even make some connections with them before you even arrive at Liverpool! I also find this platform extremely useful and I had connected with a few seniors who are also from Hong Kong and studying Physiotherapy.

The university offers a wide range of courses, and I am sure you will find one that interests you. Good luck with your application!