Results Day 2026: Clearing and your future

Wondering if university is worth it? Middlesex University Vice-Chancellor, Shân Wareing, shares her thoughts, advice on results day, and tips for getting through Clearing 2026.

If you’re waiting for exam results at the moment, you’ll probably know the feeling of being excited and anxious both together, about what the future holds. Most of us have experienced that at some time. Working in a place like Middlesex University, we see people who have followed so many different paths, and sometimes people’s lives go to plan, and sometimes they don’t.

A different journey for everyone

Here at Middlesex we know that, and we are here to support you - if you’ve just been doing exams or not, whether you get the results you hope for or not, and if you are wondering about whether university is for you. We know everyone’s journey is different.

I’m Shân. As the Vice-Chancellor of Middlesex University, I'm responsible for the whole university, and the thing that matters most is making sure our students and their success come first.

It may seem an impossibly long way off right now, but one day you could be one of our graduates. I am always inspired when I see graduation, and our students full of pride at what they have accomplished. They will be tomorrow’s nurses, teachers, midwives, social workers, entrepreneurs, lawyers, designers and scientists. Middlesex connects education to careers, helped by our fantastic placements and partnerships with industry and employers. We might be the place you make your future.

Your questions about university

If you’re thinking about your future, here are answers to some of the questions that you might have about studying at university.

Is going to university worth it?

Yes! Average lifetime earnings are higher for graduates according to new research by The Institute for Fiscal Studies, even after you take university fees and the other costs of doing a degree into account. For some people they are much higher. If you don’t earn as much, you pay less back. In addition, graduates have a lot more choice about what jobs they take, and where they work. For some people that choice is as important as earning more.

Will my course still be relevant when I graduate with the world changing so fast, especially AI?

Great question! This matters because the world of work is shifting fast, and AI is one of the biggest forces behind that change. Whatever you choose to study, you'll want to know that your course is being shaped to prepare you for the workplace you'll actually graduate into. At Middlesex, we are always working to keep our courses up to date, through conversations with employers, industry and professional bodies. Our new creative school, MDX Studios, is a great example of this. It’s both part of the University, and a production hub for the creative industries. Our teaching encourages original, independent thinking alongside AI readiness, so you leave ready for work in every sense.

Will I be able to make connections with industry and employers while I study?

Yes! At Middlesex, we work to connect education to careers directly, through placements and partnerships across industry and employers. The strength of a university's industry links can have a big impact on your progress from study to career. Work placements, partnerships and real employer contact all give you a head start in building the experience and connections employers look for.

Is university for me?

We think so! At Middlesex we want university to be for everyone! Many of our London students are the first in their family to go to university, and most come from communities where going isn't the expected path. We'll help you find out what you're capable of, build your career, and make a difference in your community. If you’re not sure, talk to us to find out. We’re here to help tell you about the different courses available to help you make your mind up.

Why not look at our Clearing hub? Or ask one of our current students.

When results day arrives

Last August on results day, I was on the phones talking to students about Clearing places and I’m excited about doing it again this year. While going to university isn’t everyone’s choice, for many others, the evidence is clear - going to university is still the most powerful thing you can do to boost your lifetime earnings, have choice about where you work, progress more quickly in your career and improve your health outcomes.

When results day comes this year, we have our fingers crossed that you get the results you are hoping for. But we know lots of very successful and happy people who didn’t do well in exams when they were younger - and we specialise in guiding people through their options helping you find a course to suit you, even if your results aren’t all you wanted.

Give us a call in Clearing and we’ll be happy to talk with you and help you onto a course to the future you want. In the meantime, I hope you have a great summer!