Looking for a course in Clearing?
Here’s how it works
Clearing is a great way to study your dream course at university – and you’ll join 1000s of other students finding their place by through Clearing.
Clearing usually opens in July and closes in September. It’s best to check UCAS for the specific dates if you’re thinking of applying, but don’t worry, you have plenty of time to find the best course to suit you.
What is Clearing?
Your step-by-step guide to Clearing
If you didn’t get the grades you needed
- Check on UCAS to see the status of your application. You might still have a place, even if you didn’t quite get the grades the uni asked for.
- If you didn’t get into your firm or insurance choice, try not to worry. Start looking at similar courses and universities that still have spaces available using the UCAS search tool.
- Once you find a course that you like, get in touch with the university. You can call them to ask about the course and see if they will accept you with the grades you have.
- If the uni offers you a place, you can accept this through your UCAS Hub. But you can only accept one offer through Clearing at a time. So make sure you’ve done your research and it’s a course and university that really interests you.
Visit our Clearing Hub
If you got higher grades than you were expecting
- If you did better than you were expecting, you might decide you want to change your university or course to something different. Use the UCAS search tool to find a course and university that you’re interested in.
- Once you’ve found a course you like, call the university to find out more about the course and to ask if they’d accept you.
- Once you’ve received an offer for a course you like, you’ll need to self release. This means that you’ll decline your place at your firm choice university, and accept your Clearing offer. Make sure you have a Clearing offer before you self release, and that you’re certain about changing your course or university. Once you’ve declined your place, you’ll also lose any accommodation or scholarships you had lined up.
If you’re applying to uni for the first time
- You might have decided not to apply earlier in the year, but now you’re seeing all your friends get into uni and you’ve changed your mind. Or maybe you wanted to wait until you could talk and apply to a university directly. Whatever reasons you have to apply through clearing, you’ll first need to register on UCAS and make an application. UCAS will send you a Clearing number and information on how to access your application.
- Once you’ve made your application, use the UCAS search tool to find the university and course that you’re interested in.
- Call the university to find out more about the course and see if they’ll offer you a place. Unlike applying before Clearing, you’ll only be able to add one choice at a time, after you’ve submitted your application. Make sure you’ve done your research and are sure it’s the right course and uni for you.
Top Clearing tips
Prepare before results day
If you think you might want to apply through Clearing, research universities, courses, entry requirements and make note of their Clearing numbers to take with you to results day. This will make the process less stressful and will give you a better chance of getting onto the course you really want.
Apply for student finance
Even if you think you might apply through Clearing, you should still apply for student finance as early as you can. It’s easy to change your course and university, or cancel your application. If you don’t apply for student finance until you get a place in Clearing, you might not get your money on time for the start of uni.
Find out about accommodation
Search for information online or ask unis about accommodation when you call them during Clearing. Some unis might save some rooms for students who go through clearing. Others might help you get a room in private housing.
Prepare for a mini interview
Some unis and courses will require a mini interview before they offer you a place on the course. They are likely to ask you why you want to study this course, and why at their university.
Have the important information to hand
Make sure you have your important documents and information nearby, before you call universities. You’ll need your UCAS number, A Level and GCSE grades and Clearing number.
Take a tour
See if you can attend a Clearing Open Day, or take a virtual tour if you have time. This will help you to make sure that you’ll be happy at the uni and can see yourself living there.
