Clearing success story: Aberystwyth University

Ashley's Clearing story

Ashley is studying Law with business and management

Hear Ashley's story of going through Clearing, how he's enjoying his degree and his plans to become a barrister.

My name is Ashley Chihaka, I'm from Zimbabwe. I'm a first-year student here at Aberystwyth University, studying Law and Business Management.

Why did you choose Law? 

I've studied Law and Business Management because I want to become a Barrister, so starting this degree I hope I can get the necessary skills needed for me to become a successful Barrister. I find Law very relevant in everyday life, from buying your morning coffee to negotiating a pay rise with your employer, you always use Law and Business.

How have your found your studies?

I find the library very good; I do most of my studying in the library. I find that they have every resource I need to be successful in my course, in terms of the Law books, the Law journals, everything you need for your studies. I find it here also the Librarians have been very helpful in terms of helping with the essays and if I have technical difficulties like connecting to the Wi-Fi, they've been very helpful on that.

How was your Clearing experience?

I was excited to be given the opportunity to apply because I was a bit nervous that I will have to wait and get into the university the following year.

It was a very interesting experience because I was excited that I was getting to apply but I was also a bit nervous because it was something that I had not done before.

The application process was quite easy, and I got help from the staff who were very helpful and friendly, they managed to give me my Clearing number so that I could contact the UCAS people. Everything went smoothly, I did prepare for Clearing in advance, I did my research and I decided if I had not been given Law and Business Management, I was going to do either just do Law or I was also thinking of studying Accounting.

Are you enjoying university?

I get along pretty well with everybody; they even elected me to be their representative for our program in the Student Union. I've made quite a lot of friends from my course, I'm always interacting with people in class and in other activities we do outside class, such as the societies like sports. I've made quite a lot of friends and I'm happy because I feel like now, I have friends for life because of my course.