Need more Clearing advice?

CONTENTS

What's Clearing?
Why would you use Clearing?
When does Clearing open?
How do you qualify for UCAS Clearing?
How does UCAS Clearing work?
Can you apply to university in Clearing without using UCAS?
Is Clearing first come first serve?
How many universities can you apply to through Clearing?
What’s UCAS self-release?
What’s UCAS Clearing Plus?
How do you cope with the stress of Clearing?
What are your options other than Clearing?

What's Clearing?

UCAS Clearing is another chance for you to find a place at uni. Universities publish a list of courses that still have places available.

Clearing is an increasingly popular way for students to find their perfect place at university. In 2023:

almost 68,000 students used Clearing
around 16,000 18-year-old students who had an offer released themselves into Clearing

It’s available to anyone who has received their results and either has no confirmed place at university or doesn’t want to take up the course they’ve been confirmed on. It’s a popular misconception that Clearing is just for students who didn’t get the grades they needed to get into their firm or insurance choice when really, there are lots of reasons to use Clearing to get your place at university.

Why would you use Clearing?

There are lots of reasons you might want to use Clearing. You may have missed your predicted grades and not have a confirmed university place, or you may have been offered a confirmed place at your insurance choice uni that you don't want to accept.

You might also have changed your mind completely about the university or course you want to study, or you might even have done better than you expected and want to apply to a university with higher entry requirements.

The final main reason to use Clearing is because you didn't apply to university during the main application cycle. So even if you haven't sent an application before, you can create a UCAS account and apply to Clearing courses.

Check out our full guide to how UCAS Clearing works.

When does Clearing open?

Clearing is open from 5 July to 21 October 2024. You can’t enter Clearing until you have your grades.

Find the full list of important dates and deadlines associated with applying to uni.

How do you qualify for UCAS Clearing?

You can use Clearing if you fall into any of these categories:

You didn’t get the grades you needed for your firm or insurance choices
You got better grades than you expected and want to apply to a different uni
You’ve changed your mind about your choice of university or course
You’ve applied through UCAS but aren’t holding any offers
You didn’t apply before 30 June but want to go to uni this year

Can mature students apply through Clearing?

Absolutely. There's no age limit to applying to university. As a mature student you're in a prime position. You can start searching and applying directly to universities when Clearing opens on 5 July rather than having to wait for results day in August.

Using Clearing as a mature student.

Can BTEC students apply through Clearing?

Yes they can. Clearing is open to any student who wants to apply to a university, regardless of what qualifications they're currently studying.

Can international students apply through Clearing?

Yes, thousands of international students use Clearing every year. If you’re an international student, have already made an application this year through UCAS and fall into one of the applicant categories listed above, you can use Clearing.

You should aim to go through Clearing as soon as you have your grades, so you have time to obtain the necessary visa to be eligible to study in the UK.

Using Clearing as an international student.

How does UCAS Clearing work?

There are four easy steps to Clearing:

Step 1: Search and compare courses

You should begin doing your research even before results day. Register with Whatuni to search, save and compare courses all in one place.

Our Clearing tool lets you enter your predicted grades to see your chance of acceptance. You can also filter courses based on course type, location and subject.

Visit the Clearing hub to get started.

Step 2: Contact the universities you’ve shortlisted

Start calling the unis on your shortlist once you get your results. Make sure you have your UCAS ID, Clearing number, personal statement, results and any questions on hand before calling. We get hotline number information for as many unis as possible to make this process as smooth as we can.

How to find your UCAS Clearing ID

If you’re already in Clearing because you don’t hold a confirmed place after results day, you’ll find you Clearing number in your UCAS Hub, in the ‘application status’ section. If you have a confirmed place, you’ll have to decline this and release yourself into Clearing before your Clearing ID will become available.

Step 3: Get confirmation of your place

Sign in to your UCAS Hub account when you have a verbal offer and add the Clearing course. The university will then confirm the offer and your account will say ‘Clearing accepted’. If you’ve applied directly with the university, you’ll need to complete a Record of Prior Acceptance form and the university will then send you a letter formally confirming your place.

Check out our guide to using UCAS Hub.

Step 4: Celebrate and prepare

Once you get confirmation, update your student finance details and organise your student accommodation (either through the university or a private provider). Then relax and start looking forward to your new adventure.

Can you apply to a university in Clearing without using UCAS?

You can apply directly to a university. You’ll still have to supply the university with your results, a personal statement and a reference. The process is called Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA) and 41,000 students took this route into university in 2020. If the university offers this route and makes you an offer that you accept, you’ll need to fill in a Record of Prior Acceptance form. The university will submit this to UCAS on your behalf (for use in data analysis).

Not all universities offer this route. Check with your chosen university before you decide to take this route.

If you accept an offer from a university via a Record of Prior Acceptance, you won't be able to apply for any other courses. Be absolutely sure about the course before you accept any offer.

Is UCAS Clearing first come first serve?

Yes, which is why it's important to research before results day so you can be ready to get calling on the day! Courses in Clearing have a limited number of places available, and once the courses are filled up, they'll be removed from Clearing. We try to keep our Clearing courses as up to date as possible and remove them as soon as we know they're full to help you with your search.

How many universities can you apply to through UCAS Clearing?

You can apply to multiple universities through UCAS Clearing, but you can only add one course at a time to your UCAS Hub. If you've received an informal offer over the phone or via email, you can add it to your UCAS Hub immediately if you're happy with the course, or you can continue ringing universities to see if you can get a better offer.

Be careful when you're doing this, because the informal offer you've been given will have an acceptance deadline that you don't want to miss! When you have an informal offer for a course you're sure you want to accept, you can accept the offer by adding the course on your UCAS Hub.

Don't add a course to your UCAS Hub before you've received an informal offer, as you won't be able to add any other courses while you're waiting for the university's response. This means you may miss the deadline to add any courses you have received an informal offer for if the university rejects you, which could leave you without a place.

What's UCAS self-release?

If you’re holding a firm offer from a university but want to apply to a different course or uni, you can self-release from the offer to enter Clearing. Before doing this, you must be absolutely sure you have a verbal offer from another uni and want to enter Clearing. Log into your UCAS Hub account and click ‘decline my place’ next to the course you want to release from.

What's UCAS Clearing Plus?

Clearing Plus is designed to support you in reviewing your university choices. It matches you to alternative courses you might like and puts you in direct contact with universities. The service is for students going through Clearing.

How do you cope with the stress of Clearing?

Be prepared for any eventuality. Make a plan in case you don't get the grades you need for your firm or insurance choices. Research Clearing courses, shortlist in order of priority and be ready to call the universities if you need to.

If you're stressed, talk to your teachers, tutors or family members. They're there to help and can support you through your Clearing journey.

You can access lots of mental health resources from Student Minds. Specialising in student wellbeing, they've created Student Space to help young people manage stress, anxiety and find support.

How students got through Clearing.

Learn how to cope with results day stress.

What are your options other than Clearing?

If you have your heart set on a specific course but didn’t get the grades you needed, then there's the option of taking a gap year, resitting your exams and applying to start that same course in 2025.

During a gap year, many students choose to either travel abroad or gain work experience. If you're considering a gap year, thoroughly research your options before making any decision.

Learn more about the options available to you.

Supporting your child through Clearing

If you’re a parent of someone going through Clearing, it can be a stressful time for you both. There are ways in which you can support your child through the process.

We don’t advise ringing universities as a parent, as unless your child has named you on their UCAS application as an approved contact, the university cannot discuss your child’s application with you without your child also present on the call.

Instead, we advise encouraging your child to research Clearing courses before they get their results and reassuring them on the day. You know your child best, so you know whether they need someone to bring them copious amounts of tea and discuss their options with them, or whether they need to be given some space to work through their emotions and make a plan on their own.

Our parents’ guide to Clearing breaks everything down in more detail, and you can also hear Andrea’s story of supporting her daughter through Clearing.

Check out our hub of Clearing advice for parents.

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