Youngsters across Welwyn Hatfield who would like a place at the University of Hertfordshire this year can now call the university’s clearing line.

The University of Hertfordshire’s vice chancellor, professor Quintin McKellar CBE, took to the phones this morning from 6am, helping to field some of the 6,000 plus enquiries from potential students the university expects today.

The vice chancellor joins the 75 support staff, 50 student ambassadors and 250 academic staff taking calls, processing student applications and answering course related questions.

The university’s pro vice chancellor, Julie Newlan MBE, is also helping students across the country, becoming a radio ‘A-level agony aunt’ offering timely, impartial advice on how to make the most of clearing.

Julie is taking part in 19 phone-ins and giving another 10 radio interviews today, offering top-tips to both students and parents, to guide them through the clearing process.

Students can also access real-time advice and information from the university’s Clearing Live programme which is being broadcast and streamed throughout the day via Facebook.

The university’s first Clearing Live broadcast was in 2015 and it proved so successful that it is now back for its third year.

Led by presenters based on the university campus, the broadcast includes interviews from current students about campus life as well as lecturers talking about their respective subjects and courses.

University staff will be giving advice about the clearing process, funding, accommodation and financial support and the university’s Student Union will also be talking about the clubs and societies on offer for students.

The broadcast is being streamed from www.herts.ac.uk/clearing/clearing-live and potential students can also visit www.herts.ac.uk/clearing for more information or post questions to @UniofHerts via Twitter.

In addition to the broadcast, the university will also have a dedicated clearing hotline, where students can call for personalised advice.

Anyone who is interested in securing a place at the University of Hertfordshire can call the clearing hotline on 0333 305 4107 between 6am and 8pm today.

Callers will be greeted on the telephone by trained staff and given professional advice and guidance about their options.

Places on a wide assortment of courses will be available.

The hotline will also be open from 8am to 8pm on Friday, August 18, 10am to 2pm on Saturday, August 19, and 9am to 5pm from August 21, onwards.

Last year 6,063 calls were taken by the university hotline team on the opening day of clearing.

Jenny Ventris, head of admissions at the University of Hertfordshire, said: “We are proud and excited to be running another year of Clearing Live.

“Our unique live broadcast and dedicated hotline means potential students can easily access real-time guidance on their next steps in the application process.”

The next step for those students awarded a place at Hertfordshire is to come and see where they will be spending the next three years of their lives.

For those who secured a place, the university is holding a series of special open days on Saturday, August 19, and Tuesday August 22, from 10am until 2pm.

• For more A-level results day news, visit our Education section at www.whtimes.co.uk/news/education