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Want a step-by-step guide on how to apply through Clearing? We’ve got you covered!

Clearing Clearing

Who can apply through Clearing?

If any of the following apply to you, you’re eligible to apply through Clearing:

  • you don't meet the conditions of your offer for your firm (first) or insurance (second) choice courses
  • your exam results are better than you expected and you want to change your course or university
  • you don't hold any offers
  • you've accepted an offer but changed your mind about the course you want to do
  • you're applying for the first time after 30 June
  • you’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application on the UCAS Hub

Remember, before Results Day you can only apply through Clearing if you already have your final results.

Evangeline Smith, Admissions Officer

1. During Clearing (once you have your results)

Now Clearing is open, you can apply once you have your results and you know the course you'd like to study.

Many of our most popular courses are available in Clearing so you're sure to find your ideal degree.

You can also use UCAS Clearing Plus by going to the 'My matches' option in UCAS Hub and selecting the 'I'm interested button' for the courses you're interested in. 

Remember that the availability of courses changes rapidly in Clearing, so you need to keep an eye on the latest vacancies.

  • Get Clearing call ready 

Make sure you feel ready to call us before you pick up the phone to talk to us about the course you're interested in. 

Our advice on how to make a phone call during Clearing tells you everything you'll need to know before you give our friendly Clearing team a call. 

You can also come along to our webinar about applying for university through Clearing on Tuesday 6 August.

  • Attend our Clearing Visit Day

We’ll be hosting a Clearing Visit Day on Thursday 8 August, so if you haven't yet had a chance to visit us in person yet, this is your chance.

You'll be able to explore the city, find out more about our courses, and get a better idea of what it's like to study with us at the University of Portsmouth. 

How many universities can you apply to through Clearing? 

You can approach as many universities as you wish during Clearing. You can only apply for one university and one course at a time, but there’s no limit to how many times you can apply throughout Clearing. 

We advise you to do one application at a time, as this will prevent you from being overwhelmed.

Doing one application at a time will keep you organised with your applications. 

Hannah Lloyd, Senior Admissions Officer

Getting an offer

If we make you an offer we'll confirm it by email and give you 24 hours to accept it.

We'll ask you to read through our Clearing terms and conditions before you accept an offer.

Our advice on how to accept a Clearing offer.

Starting in 2025 instead of 2024

If you want to take a year out before you start your course, we consider ‘deferred entry’ for some courses during Clearing.

We'll let you know if this option is available for your chosen course when you contact us.

Accepting an offer through UCAS

If you previously applied to university through UCAS, you can accept a Clearing offer in your UCAS Hub. Go to the ‘Your choices’ section of your application and click the 'Add Clearing' choice. Then enter the details of the course. Remember:

  • Only add a Clearing choice if you've been given an offer by a university.
  • You can only accept one offer in the UCAS Hub, so don't be too hasty in making your decision.

If you have any difficulty adding your Clearing choice in UCAS, or you've missed the deadline, let us know as soon as possible.

Can you apply through Clearing without UCAS?

If we offer you a place and you didn't apply through UCAS, follow the link in your email confirmation and complete our online Record of Prior Acceptance form to accept it.

Please be aware that if you already have a UCAS account for this year (even if you just set one up but didn’t apply in the main cycle), we will not be able to process your acceptance this way and you need to add us as a Clearing choice via your UCAS Hub.

3. After getting your place through Clearing

Sort out your accommodation

Your next step after accepting an offer is to sort out where you're going to live. After all, it's only a matter of weeks until you start your course.

Our friendly student housing team will get in touch with you to provide details of available accommodation in the area, including our latest hall availability and info on local rented accommodation.

Whether you decide to live in halls or in private rented accommodation we offer the same 24/7 welfare advice and support to all new students.

Choosing where to live at uni

Not sure what your accommodation options are when you move to Uni? We've outlined the differences of each to help you decide where to live at university.

Student House B Roll Shoot
Read more

Apply for your visa

If you're an EU or international student and you need a visa to study here you need to start the process quickly as visas can take some time to come through. Get in touch with our visa support team if you have a question or problem. Or, read our guidance on getting visas.

Update your student finance application

If you've already applied for your student loan, you'll need to log into your account and update details about your new course/university. If you haven't applied for your student loan yet, don't panic. Apply today – it only takes 30 minutes.

Get ready for your arrival at uni

Once you've formally accepted your offer, sorted your accommodation and checked your student finance application, it's time to get ready for your arrival.

Our guide to joining the university lists everything you need to do before you get here.