UNIVERSITY admissions service UCAS has issued advice to students who receive their A-level results today (Thursday).

Careers advisers from the Exam Results Helpline will be on-hand from 8am to provide valuable careers information and advice to students and their parents who receive higher or lower A-level results than expected, and more importantly who don’t know what to do next.

Delivered by UCAS on behalf of the Department for Education, the helpline opens for 10 days across the exam results period to support schools, colleges and existing careers advice services during a potentially very demanding time.

The helpline can be reached on 0808 100 8000. Calls are free from landlines. Mobile network charges vary.

Nick Hynes, Exam Results Helpline adviser and professional careers adviser with over 25 years’ experience, said: “Every year, there are students who don’t get the grades they need for university, there are those who achieve better grades than expected and those whose career plans have changed since they made their original university choices.

“At such a critical and life changing time, it’s imperative that these students are clear what ALL of their options are, enabling them to make fully informed decisions about their futures.”

Meanwhile, local education authority Herts County Council issued advice to those getting their results.

Chris Hayward, cabinet member for education and skills, said: “I’d like to wish Hertfordshire’s students the best of luck as they open their results. It’s perfectly normal to feel a little anxious and stressed as exam results day gets close.

“Whatever the outcome, there are plenty of further options in education, training or work and there are dedicated people on-hand to give you all the advice you need.”

Schools will have members of staff available to talk through choices, whether you’ve exceeded your expectations.

The county council is also advising students to take a mobile phone, pen and paper, their university offer and related paperwork, such as personal statement and reference.

For more advice and information for students on what to do once you’ve received your results visit www.channelmogo.org

Advice for parents is available on www.youthconnexions.org

Personal advisers will be on hand in Youth Connexions One Stop Shops and in special web chat sessions to give support and advice.

Check back on the Comet’s website later today for results in Comet country. You can also tweet us and follow updates via Twitter, using the #CometALevel hashtag.