Students are being urged to "consider all options" available to them as they receive their A-level results on Thursday.
Ahead of the grades being published, Ulster University (UU) has issued advice to prospective students, including information on the 'Clearing' process.
It says that more than 100 courses have been added to Clearing in a bid to ensure that students have the "opportunity to reach their potential and continue their studies in whichever field they wish to pursue".
Around 26,000 pupils across Northern Ireland are due to find out their A-level and AS-level grades on Thursday.
Over the next week, more than 58,000 students will receive grades in GCE, GCSE, CoPE, Occupational Studies, Online Language Assessment (OLA) and Vocational Qualifications.
For those receiving A-level results, support and advice has been issued by UU to help, particularly to those who do not achieve the grades they had hoped for or if they have changed their mind about what or where to study.
Last year, more than 70,000 students in the UK found their place at university through Clearing.
Read more:
- A-Level and AS results set to be published on Thursday
- Lower A-level grades will allow universities to ‘distinguish between candidates'
A UU spokeswoman urged students not to panic, adding that "Clearing is a great opportunity to review the options" available.
She also said students should "do your research" and compile a shortlist of universities, looking at each institution's "reputation and advantages, and how well the course could support their future career".
"It’s vital that prospective students consider all options including courses they might not have thought of or applied to previously," she said.
They might even discover a passion for something completely new.
"It’s not too late to reconsider direction and course choice.
"Studying part-time is another great option for students who want to combine learning with other personal and professional commitments."
Matthew, a student on the UU Derry campus who went through Clearing said: “I was in full-time employment and was struggling to know what I wanted to do and so I looked into clearing one day to see how I would get on and what would be available to me.
"I stumbled upon business with education and it was a course that I thought I would like to explore.
"I applied on the Friday after A-Level results and within an hour had an email from admissions asking for my details.
"As a mature student, I was so nervous coming up the road on my first day but from the minute I landed in, I just integrated so seamlessly which was great.”
The Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA), Northern Ireland's exam board, has set up a dedicated results helpline to offer advice and guidance for students receiving their results.
On A-Level results day, the helpline - 028 9026 1260 - will open at 8am.
From Friday until August 30, it will operate from 9am to 5pm with students also able to email helpline@ccea.org.uk.
