Clearing 2024: Leicester was ‘right choice all along’ for law graduate Erica

When Erica Naylor narrowly missed out on her first choice of university, she said it felt like the “end of the world”. Having just graduated with her Bachelor of Laws earlier this summer, Erica has reflected on her experiences of coming to the University of Leicester through Clearing.

Clearing allows prospective students to enrol on university courses without an offer. It is a great way to find a course if you didn’t get the grades that you expected or missed out on your firm or insurance choice on results day.  

Erica said: “I missed out on my first-choice university by just one grade, and my second-choice option unexpectedly changed my course offer to History – a subject that I wasn’t interested in studying so I turned to Clearing to explore my options.

“After narrowing it down to three universities, I received a call from a teacher at the University of Leicester who really made me feel secure and confident in the decision. That conversation played a significant role in my choice to come to Leicester.”

Talking about the University of Leicester’s Clearing process, Erica said: “Honestly, I couldn’t have been more grateful for how straightforward the Clearing process was. At the time, missing my grades felt like the end of the world – it was a truly rough day. But, in hindsight, the process itself was clear and manageable. 

“If I could go back, I’d definitely learn more about Clearing and the steps involved before results day to avoid some of the panic I felt. But overall, the experience was smoother than I expected.”

Whilst studying, Erica went on to become the President of the Law Society at the University of Leicester. Talking about her experiences at the University, she said: “I loved everything about my university experience—from the city and the people to my classes. The entire environment was a breath of fresh air, and I met some incredible people along the way. 

“Serving as President of the Law Society was a particular highlight. I had the chance to be part of many ‘pinch-me’ moments, like meeting Lady Hale, hosting a moot in the Supreme Court, and organising the Law Ball and other events for law students at Leicester. My experience at Leicester was truly surreal, and it exceeded all my expectations!”

She said: “I couldn’t have been happier with my course choice. I found every subject fascinating, and I loved how studying law challenges the way you think. The lecturers at Leicester Law School were exceptional, and their teaching made the material even more engaging.”

Erica graduated with Bachelor of Laws in July and has entered the world of work. Erica said: “I’m currently working in compliance, where my background in law is highly relevant. Beyond the direct application of law in my job, the skills I developed at university—like people management, teamwork, organisation, multitasking, and time management—have been invaluable. My experiences at Leicester, both in and outside the classroom, have shaped the way I approach my work and helped me excel in my career.”

Erica’s advice for someone going through Clearing is: “It might feel like the end of the world when you first find yourself in Clearing, especially if your plans have changed unexpectedly. But trust that everything happens for a reason. You can only do your best with the hand you’ve been dealt, and it will all truly fall into place. Looking back, I couldn’t be more grateful for the path I ended up on—this was the right choice all along.”

All courses available via Clearing are on the website. The website also includes information about our events, a guide to applying, answers to frequently asked questions, information about our accommodation, information for parents and more.

Applicants who have their grades can call 0116 373 6000 where staff can chat through the options. The telephone line is open 9am to 5pm, Monday to Friday.

Those waiting for results, can call between 7am and 9pm on results day (Thursday 15 August). On Friday 16 August lines are open 8am to 6pm.

The University offers guaranteed University-managed accommodation if applicants apply by Friday 1 September.