Professor Ian Pickup, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Learning, Teaching and Student Experience at the Open University, advises on results day, clearing, and the power of flexible higher education

Posted on 10 August 2026 • University news

A‑level results day can feel like a crossroads. For some, it brings relief and celebration, for others, it brings uncertainty, disappointment, or a sudden need to rethink plans that felt fixed only days before. But as Professor Ian Pickup, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Students at The Open University, points out, this moment is rarely as final as it feels.

“Your grades may shape your next step, but they do not define your future,” he says, a message that becomes more relevant each year as student journeys become increasingly diverse.

The Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Students) notes that many students who don’t receive the results they expected assume their options have narrowed. In reality, the landscape of higher education has never been more flexible. Clearing remains an important route for those who want to begin a traditional campus‑based degree this autumn, but it is far from the only path.

“Higher education today is not a single track,” he explains, “students succeed through a wide range of routes, and the right one is the one that fits their life, their circumstances, and their ambitions.”

This is where the Open University’s model offers something distinctive. With open‑access entry, flexible start dates, and the ability to study part‑time or alongside work, the OU provides a route into higher education that isn’t dependent on A‑level grades. Professor Pickup describes it as “a system designed around real lives,” where students can build confidence gradually, choose their pace, and progress toward a degree without the pressure of uprooting their lives or meeting traditional entry thresholds.

What resonates most, however, are the stories of students who have taken this route and thrived. Professor Pickup recalls students who began with an Access module after missing out on their expected grades, only to discover a passion for subjects they had never previously considered. Others have combined study with full‑time work, caring responsibilities, or health challenges – circumstances that might have made traditional study impossible.

“We see students who start with uncertainty and go on to achieve extraordinary things,” he says, “their success is a reminder that potential doesn’t disappear because of one difficult day.”

Kianna’s story

After leaving school, Kianna was facing a familiar choice: go to university or stay focused on her career. Everything felt like a compromise – until her mum encouraged her to consider The Open University.

Now a proud Business Management graduate, Kianna, 25, shares how she was able to stay local, progress into leadership roles and save thousands compared to friends her age.

“Being able to learn whilst earning, it’s definitely accelerated me a lot faster than other graduates that I know,” she shares. 

“The Open University has changed my life massively. If you told me three years ago, I genuinely couldn’t believe that I’m here in this place and position right now.”

Choosing the OU meant Kianna could shape her studies around what mattered most to her.

“I knew that I wanted to stay at home so that I could be close to my family and friends and continue working. I was able to achieve things, but also while still having a life and a social life.

“The OU is just so great because it allows you to work where you don’t have set lessons. I felt very much in control of when I needed to study and what I needed to do.”

Increasingly, students are choosing routes that allow them to stay local, earn while they learn, or take time to reflect before committing to a full degree. The OU’s open‑access model supports this by allowing learners to begin with smaller modules, build academic confidence, and progress at a pace that suits them. It’s a structure that has helped hundreds of thousands of students, including those who once doubted whether university was for them, achieve qualifications recognised and valued by employers.

Professor Pickup’s message to students and families is ultimately one of reassurance:

“If your results aren’t what you hoped for, take a moment to breathe. There are always options, and there is always a way forward. What matters is finding the path that works for you, not the one you thought you had to follow.”

In a year when uncertainty can feel overwhelming, his perspective offers a steadying reminder that education is not a race, nor is it a single route. Whether through Clearing, a different university choice, or a more flexible model, students have more opportunities than ever to shape a future that reflects who they are and who they want to become.

Header image: Kianna