Five tips for Clearing and Results Day 2025

Listen to a dedicated episode all about Clearing, featuring expert guests from the University of Southampton and the University of Staffordshire. The conversation is hosted by student Reece and recent graduate Leah.

The episode was released on the day that Clearing opened, 5 July 2025. You can apply through Clearing now if you already know your grades. However, many people will receive their grades on A-level results day, Thursday 14 August 2025, so this is the day when most Clearing places are offered.

Also, revisit Episode 32 of The Uni Guide Podcast. This episode includes mock Clearing phone calls, with experts from the University of Leicester, St Mary’s University Twickenham, and Edge Hill University. This was the Clearing special released last year, and the content is still very relevant. Listen on all major streaming platforms or on The Uni Guide Podcast webpage.

Clearing teams will ask you to provide lots of information, including your grades and UCAS personal ID number. Universities will need to speak directly with you about your application. This is unless you have taken steps to authorise someone else to call on your behalf.

To help, you can download the Clearing crib sheet, a two-page PDF created just for you. It will guide you through everything you need on the day. There's space to make notes too!

Before calling a university Clearing team, we recommend you research the following:

• Your preferred courses at different universities
• Dual or joint degrees, where you study one subject alongside another.
• Foundation course options that lead to your desired degree.
• Completely different degrees which you are interested in. You can explore our on-demand platform for over 100 subject taster videos.

Clearing teams may ask why you are interested in your chosen course at their university. Don’t worry too much about your answers. The Clearing team will know you are calling on a busy day without time for detailed research. Speak from your heart, offer your personal thoughts about the subject, and briefly share your interest in their university.

Remember, for further guidance, the Students' Guide to University brochure includes expert help from over 65 university experts. Download it HERE with no registration required.

Many universities will offer Clearing visiting opportunities. Saturday 16 August will be an especially busy day for Clearing open days.

Use the event search tool to find events near you. Remember, some courses may fill up quickly, so you might want to use events on the 16 August to confirm your choices, rather than make them for the first time.

Clearing is your chance to find the perfect university and course for you. It’s not just for those who missed out on their offers. It’s also for those who exceeded their offers, or are applying later than others.

No matter the situation, every year, thousands of students use Clearing to secure a university place, often finding it to be the best thing that could have happened to them.

If you didn’t meet the requirements of your original offer, remember this doesn’t define you or your abilities. You’ve worked incredibly hard. Talk to your loved ones, friends, school, or circle. Reflect on your journey and remember your worth.