“Going through Clearing was the best decision I ever made” - Business student says going through Clearing opened unexpected doors and is best decision he's ever made

A business management and entrepreneurship student who secured his place at Kingston University through Clearing says the experience turned out to be “the best decision I ever made”.

Ata Rehman, from Kingston, found himself exploring Clearing after narrowly missing the grades for his original university choice. While searching through available courses on A-level results day, he discovered Kingston University's Business Management and Entrepreneurship (BSc) Hons degree. 

Having originally applied for management courses, Ata was immediately drawn to the opportunity to study business management with entrepreneurship - a combination he had not realised was exactly what he was looking for until he discovered it through Clearing.

“When I saw Kingston was offering business management and entrepreneurship, I thought, ‘This is perfect for what I want to do,’” he said.

Ata contacted Kingston’s Clearing hotline team, who guided him through the process and helped turn what initially felt like a stressful day into a positive experience.

Initially planning to study engineering, Ata's interests shifted during sixth form as his lifelong fascination with business grew. Having helped with his father's businesses from a young age, he became increasingly interested in how organisations operate behind the scenes and developed a passion for entrepreneurship, strategy and innovation.

“I've always been around business,” he said. “I realised every industry relies on business in some way, and I wanted to understand what happens behind the scenes.”

A local connection that led to Kingston

Although Ata has lived in Kingston for most of his life and knew of the University through family members and a business tutor who had previously lectured at nearby Kingston College, he had never considered studying at Kingston University until Clearing.

“When they offered me a place it was a huge relief,” he said. “I had been preparing myself to move away from London, but suddenly I realised I could study on a course I loved just 10 minutes from home.”

While initially anxious about starting university, Ata quickly settled into campus life thanks to its welcoming atmosphere. Now preparing to enter his third year, he is a course representative, supporting classmates with assignments, organising study sessions and helping strengthen communication between students and lecturers.

Developing human-centric skills through Future Skills

A key part of Ata's experience at Kingston has been the University's sector-leading Future Skills programme, which is embedded as a taught and assessed part of every year of every undergraduate degree. 

Designed to help students develop key graduate attributes such as collaboration, adaptability and creative problem solving, the programme gives students the opportunity to take part in employer experiences including live briefs and mock assessment centres that simulate graduate recruitment processes.

Through Future Skills, Ata has gained practical experience working on industry challenges, including a live consultancy brief with the Rose Theatre, where he and his classmates developed business ideas to help attract younger audiences. He also took part in a mock assessment centre at Twickenham Stadium, giving him insight into the types of activities and exercises graduates may encounter throughout the recruitment process.

“I’d never experienced anything like that before,” he said. “The assessment centre gave me a real insight into what employers are looking for and helped me understand how to prepare for those situations.”

Changing perceptions of Clearing

Looking back on A-level results day, Ata hopes his experience reassures students who may find themselves going through Clearing this summer. He believes Clearing should be seen as an opportunity rather than a setback, giving students the chance to explore courses they may not have previously considered.

“Clearing shouldn’t be seen as a negative thing. You might find an opportunity that is even better suited to you.”

Reflecting on his own journey, Ata said he wouldn’t change the route he took.

“I was so stressed on results day because I thought I hadn’t achieved what I wanted,” he said. “Looking back now, going through Clearing was the best decision I ever made. It gave me a course that suited me better, opportunities like Future Skills that I never expected and the confidence to push myself much further.”

• Find out more about studying BSc (Hons) Business Management and Entrepreneurship at Kingston University.
• Find out more about Kingston University's sector-leading Future Skills programme.
• Kingston University's Clearing hotline is open Monday to Friday from 9.30am until 4.30pm until the start of term.
• Potential students should call 0800 0483 334 (or +44 20 8328 1149 from outside the UK) to speak to the University's friendly and knowledgeable hotline operators who will be able to provide information on courses available and guide callers through their options. 
• Calls are free from landlines and mobiles in the UK. International call costs may vary and callers should check with their network provider.
• Students should have their UCAS identification, if they have one, to hand and full details of qualifications, including subjects, grades, dates obtained and exam boards before calling the hotline.