Understanding and preparing for Clearing

UCAS Clearing is a way for universities to fill additional places on courses that aren’t completely full after most students have made their choices. Clearing opens in July, offering places for the academic year starting in September just a few months later. Most universities use Clearing, and there is usually a wide range of fantastic courses still open.

Clearing is a back-up option. It allows you to apply for university if you don’t achieve the grades required by your initial firm and insurance choices. However, there are other reasons why you might apply through Clearing:

• You were initially unsure and only decided to apply for university later in the year (after 30 June).
• You changed your mind about the course or university you wanted to study after applying.
• You don’t meet the offer conditions of your initial firm and insurance choices.

Applying through Clearing is the best option for many people to find a course that is a great fit for them, whether it’s due to unexpected results or a change of heart.

Clearing vacancies are listed on the UCAS website from July onwards. Entry requirements for Clearing courses aren’t always displayed online, so you may need to call universities directly. They will ask for your exam results, then let you know if they can offer you a place or an interview.

You can call as many universities as you want to, and you only accept a place when you add it on your UCAS Hub.

It can seem daunting to apply for a university course in Clearing, especially in August, which begins just a few weeks later. You can prepare yourself by having a Clearing plan prior to receiving your results:

• Research alternative universities and courses of interest, in case you don’t achieve your predicted grades. Make a shortlist. Then, when you do have your results, visit the UCAS website to check if your shortlist has vacancies.
• Complete any Clearing expression of interest forms if these are offered by your chosen universities ahead of Clearing. This will save time and effort later in the process.
• Re-read your personal statement. Do some interview preparation if your course may require an interview.
• Have your results to hand, including GCSE results, when calling universities. They can’t make you an offer without this information.
• If you are interested in a competitive course, get in touch as early as possible. A level results day is the busiest day of Clearing, and some popular courses will fill their vacancies quickly.

Finally, if you want or need to use Clearing, please try not to panic. There are plenty of fantastic options still available at a wide range of universities that will start you on the path to your future.