“I found my best friend through Clearing”

Law students Sam and Charlie outline how they found shared interests after meeting on their second day
Law students Sam Martin and Charlie Milward, who met after coming through Clearing

“I found my best friend through Clearing”

Law students Sam and Charlie outline how they found shared interests after meeting on their second day

It’s not always easy to choose what to do when leaving secondary school – and even more nerve-wracking if you’re taking a leap on your own. 
But two friends who met after coming to university through Clearing share their story to help reassure others about the process and what it can lead to.  
Law student Sam Martin
Law student Charlie Milward

Why Clearing? 

Sam Martin, from Plymouth, and Charlie Milward, from Ivybridge, both had plans after achieving strong grades in their A Levels.
Charlie had already accepted an offer at another South West university to study Law, but wanted to change to Plymouth because of its community feel. Meanwhile Sam hadn’t applied to university as he was on a gap year, but was inspired to study Law after a week-long internship opportunity. 
Both called the University of Plymouth Clearing hotline, both were accepted and both started on the Law programme in September 2024. And after meeting for the first time during induction week, they explain how they were reassured from the very beginning.

“Not just a name on a list”

Sam and I bumped into each other on day two of the course and realised quickly we had so much in common.

We’re both local, so have stayed at home and not done the halls experience, we like the same music, similar hobbies and both joined the Students’ Union Athletics club.
I knew from Plymouth’s open day that it felt like a community, and that you’re a person, not just a name on a list, and that’s been exactly my experience the whole time here. 
I wanted a course and I gained a best friend!    

Calling the Clearing hotline was such an easy process and there’s a person at the end of the phone waiting to talk you through everything.

I could have gone to a different university, but Plymouth is a community in all senses of the word and it just felt like where I wanted to be, so I know I made the right decision. 
Meeting Sam has underlined that I’ve absolutely found where I belong, and I know I’ll stay in the South West after a I graduate next year too. 

Charlie Milward, who came through Clearing to study Law 
 

Charlie Milward and Sam Martin in moot court
Charlie Milward and Sam Martin

People think Clearing is how to get into uni when results haven’t gone your way, but really it’s just another way of giving you choices.

When I left school, I went on a gap year and had a finance apprenticeship lined up. 
But I did a short internship in Law and knew that was the direction – it was like a lightbulb. 
Clearing opened the door to do what I wanted to do and I’ve made a friend for life. 
The whole Clearing process from start to finish was easy to navigate, and I’m actually going to be one of the student ambassadors answering the phones to callers this year too. 

Whether you had plans or not, it’s never too late to change your mind. Plus I’ve found a way to put my original finance ambitions to use as I’m treasurer of the Athletics Club!

The course itself has also been amazing, and I’ve also found a huge passion for social justice since being here. 
The Law Clinic gives us hands-on experience working with real-life cases, which is invaluable, and the new Law Chambers is opening soon, which emulate real-life preparation space for a barrister.

Sam Martin, who came through Clearing to study Law 
 

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