WITH just a few days to go before A-level results are released, students across Suffolk and Essex have been reminded about the options open to them if they haven’t quite made the grade

Thousands of teenagers will heading be off to university come September, or taking a gap year before continuing their studies.

But for some, Thursday will trigger a frantic search for a course and many will look to the student services in place to offer advice and support.

Students have been reminded that there are several resources open to them to help them make the right choice for the next stage of their education.

Suffolk County Council provides an advice and information service through its The Source website.

A spokeswoman said: “The Source pulls together vast amount of information for young people and has a section specifically about A-level results and what to do next.

“Pupils can also access support and guidance from their schools and if they are intending to go on to higher education, can get support from each university’s admissions advisors.”

The Source also provides links to other websites such as Future4Me, which provide information about courses in Suffolk. Young people also have access to youth support workers by calling 0800 085 4448.

Each year, nearly 50,000 students across the country who fail to make their grades secure their university places through clearing.

Clearing can help people without a university or college place to find suitable vacancies on higher education courses.

A spokesman for University Campus Suffolk, which has bases on the Waterfront in Ipswich and in Bury St Edmunds, Great Yarmouth, Lowestoft, Otley and at Suffolk New College, said staff would be on hand over the coming days to provide specialist advice and discuss clearing applications.

He said: “Whether you hadn’t previously considered university or don’t quite achieve the exam results you were expecting this summer, there is still time to find a course at UCS through clearing.

“Clearing provides a final opportunity for any unplaced applicants to be considered by institutions with vacancies for September 2012.

“It is available between July and September, although most people use it after A-level exam results are published.

“There are still a number of places available on degrees at UCS, but vacancies on some programmes do fill quickly, so we recommend that you get in touch as soon as possible.

“The clearing pages on the UCS website will be updated regularly, as will the UCAS interactive full-time course vacancy service which is available on its website from Thursday until Sunday September 30.”

For more details visit www.ucs.ac.uk/clearing.