A recent biomedical science graduate will be heading to University of Worcester's Medical School just three years on from navigating through clearing.

Sophie Bennett, 21, from Bromsgrove can recall the distress of not getting into her first-choice university choice on A-Level results day, and her journey taking an unexpected turn that led to the University of Worcester through clearing.

Miss Bennett said: "I want people to know that just because you go through Clearing, just because you didn’t get into your first-choice university, doesn't mean things aren’t going to go the way you want them to."

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Her results were influenced by previous tests due to the cancellation of that year’s A-Level exams in light of Covid-19.

Miss Bennett shared: "I thought my life was over and I’d never achieve anything.

"You open that paper and think what now? I was distraught."

Miss Bennett visited her insurance choice university the following day, where she realised it was not where she wanted to go.

On the drive back home, her mother, who was studying paramedical science, suggested where she was, at the University of Worcester.

Attending a dedicated clearing open day at the university changed everything for Miss Bennett, especially the one-on-one conversation with one of the lecturers.

“I remember it being a lot easier than I thought, but it was quite scary - the thought of having to speak to someone and say I’ve failed and I’ve not made it," she said.

“But even speaking to him definitely made a massive impact.

"He made me feel like I could do it and if I couldn’t do it the lecturers would be there to support me.

"Everyone was so lovely and so welcoming."

She then applied and secured both her place for study and accommodation, attributing the process to a speedy transition.

She said: "It was a very quick turnaround, there were still people to contact if I had any questions at Worcester and they replied to me quickly with any questions or queries."

Three years post A-Level results day, Sophie is preparing to commence studies in medicine at the university, which she secured among fierce competition, with over 1,000 contenders for the 50 available positions.