Listen: Vice-Chancellor discusses results day and clearing with the BBC

Harper Adams Vice-Chancellor Professor Ken Sloan has been interviewed by the BBC about A-level results day, clearing – and how students can find a place at University.

Lines opened at Harper Adams at 8am this morning and staff have been taking calls from prospective students throughout the day.

Speaking to Clare Ashford on BBC Radio Shropshire, Professor Sloan said: “Let’s start by congratulating everyone!

“They have been working so hard over the last couple of years – so a shout-out to all the schools in Shropshire, all the colleges in Shropshire, and all the people who have supported them.

“It can feel like a very odd day. Some people get the results they want, some people don’t – but the most important thing for people to remember is they do have choices, and it is what they do now that is the most important thing.”

Looking back at the first few hours of results day, Professor Sloan added: “It has been busy, we have had plenty of people that have been calling in and looking at opportunities, and we have got opportunities right across the subject areas that we offer at Harper Adams.

“I have been in the fortunate position of being able to call some students up and congratulate them on getting their results and also welcome them to the University – and a number of staff have been doing that as well.

“What we want to do is make sure that everyone in Shropshire and Telford, if they are in a position where they are unsure about what to do and what happens next, knows we are their local University and we are very happy to provide help, whether it’s on courses we have got or actually if they just want to ask questions about the system as a whole.

“We are there to provide that help to people within our local area and we would encourage them to ring us.”

Spotting and supporting talent

Professor Sloan noted that, on days such as results day, that his University’s role was “to spot talent and to support that talent.”

He reminded prospective students the decision they would be making would be an important one and one which they needed to ensure they were happy with – emphasising this with recollections of his own results day.

He added: “I often tell people this story on Open Days at Harper – and we have an Open Day this Saturday, so if people want to come and find out more, they can come and see us!

“I got my A Level results, and I got the grades for the University I wanted to get into – and on that day, I realised it was not the University I wanted to go to.

“I suddenly ended up in a scramble to work it out, and realised I just wasn’t ready to make that decision – so I ended up taking a year out and ended up at a very different university to do a very different degree.

“The other thing I often say to people is that the degree you do does not necessarily dictate what you are going to end up being. My first degree was in English Language and Literature; my first job was in accountancy – and now I am the Vice-Chancellor of a science and technology specialist University!”

Listen again here.

_{Results day: what you need to know}

_{If you’ve received your results today, you can call our clearing team on 0300 131 3950 or visit harper.ac.uk/clearing and ask us to contact you.}

_{It is best to make contact by telephone on results day itself.  Our clearing link hosts a series of top tips to help you prepare.}

_{For those calling the hotline, there are extended opening times today, Thursday 13 August – when the line will be open until 7pm, and then again tomorrow, Friday August 14, between 8am and 6pm.}

_{The University is holding an Open Day on Saturday August 15.}

_{There will be a dedicated reception offering guidance and tips for those thinking of starting their studies in 2026 to help talk them through any questions they have on the clearing process.}

_{There’s also a chance to tour our campus, hear more from the lecturers on your chosen course – and even taste some of our award-winning catering!}

_{This runs from 9am to 3pm - to book, click here.}