Every year, thousands of students in the UK and internationally secure university places through a process known as Clearing. Whether you didn’t receive the offers you hoped for, changed your mind about your course, or simply applied late, Clearing offers a second chance, which you might find is every bit as interesting as your original plan.
What Is Clearing?
Clearing is a system operated by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) that helps universities fill remaining places on their courses. From the student’s perspective, it allows them to apply for those places when the traditional application route hasn’t worked out. Clearing typically runs from early July to mid-October, with peak activity following A level Results Day in mid August.
It’s important to note that Clearing is not a “bad” thing. Even if your original plan didn’t go as expected, Clearing can still lead to excellent opportunities. While some of the top universities (like Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, and UCL) don’t typically participate in Clearing, many other high-ranking institutions, including Russell Group ones, now actively promote their available courses through it.
For some students, Clearing offers access to a wider range of subjects, the flexibility to make last-minute changes, and the potential to change your mind or even to attend a more competitive university than originally expected. In fact, many students intentionally explore Clearing after receiving their results to find courses or universities that better suit their goals.
Who Can Use Clearing?
You’re eligible to apply through Clearing if:
- You didn’t receive any university offers.
- You didn’t meet the conditions of your existing offers.
- You declined all your offers or changed your mind.
- You applied after 30 June.
- You want to apply for a different course or university.
How Does Clearing Work?
If You’ve Already Applied to Universities – Prepare in Advance of Results Day
Even if you’re holding a university offer that you’re happy with and relatively confident of achieving, it’s sensible to consider a backup plan. That might be a gap year, or it might be a degree course that you discover through Clearing. You can start browsing courses from early July, but many more courses will become available on results day.
On Results Day, Check Your Status on the UCAS Hub:
On results day, log into your UCAS Hub early in the morning. If you’re eligible for Clearing, your application will clearly indicate it.
If You Haven’t Applied Yet – Fill in a Clearing Application:
Sign up for the UCAS Hub and follow the instructions to create your account and start your application. There is small application fee to pay. Make sure you do this as soon as possible, and before A level results day.
Then:
1. Research Available Courses
Use the UCAS Clearing Search Tool to browse available courses. While UCAS may suggest some courses based on the information about yourself you provided, you are free to explore and apply to any listed options. Be sure to check each course’s entry requirements to ensure you qualify. This is where any prior research into Clearing courses will be helpful, although remember that new courses get released on results day.
2. Contact Universities Directly
Reach out to admissions teams by phone or email. Be ready with your UCAS ID, exam results, and a clear explanation of why you’re interested in the course. Universities may give you an informal offer on the spot.
3. Add Your Choice on UCAS Hub
Once you receive an informal offer you’d like to accept or find a course that you would love to study on, act quickly as places get snapped up. Add the course as your Clearing choice on the UCAS Hub. The university will then review and confirm your place. You can only make one Clearing choice at a time. If your choice is declined, you’ll be able to submit a new one.
Tips for Success During Clearing
Be Prepared: Have a Plan B. If you suspect you might go through Clearing, start researching your options in advance. You may not find the exact course you initially wanted, but there are often similar programs available. Joint Honours programmes such as Physics with Business Studies can allow you to study something you had your heart set on alongside another subject you excel at. Expanding your search in advance and considering all the options will help you make a fast, well-informed decision when results are released.
Plan your Time: Clear your Calendar for results day and the subsequent 3-4 days to ensure you are free to dedicate time to Clearing if needed. On results day, set an alarm. Plan to log onto UCAS at 0800 on results day to check your application status and see whether you’ve been accepted onto your first or second choice courses or are in Clearing.
Act Quickly: Popular courses can fill up very fast. Be ready to start browsing courses and contacting universities as soon as you know your status – you don’t want to miss out! Clearing vacancies change all the time as and when places are filled and become available, so keep looking throughout the Clearing period for new courses that arise, and act quickly when you find a course that you like.
Ask for Help: Clearing can be a confusing and stressful process. Reach out to your school advisor or contact our expert team at Highgrove Education for personalised guidance. Having someone knowledgeable by your side can help reduce stress and ensure you make the right decision.
If you do not manage to secure a degree course that you’re happy with over Clearing, a good option is to take a gap year and reapply via UCAS. Highgrove Online School is a registered UCAS centre and we can work with you on your application. You have the chance to boost your application through resits and/or by taking additional qualifications such as the EPQ or specialist elective courses that showcase your passion for a subject. A well-planned gap year can boost your application and give you a second chance at securing the course of your dreams.
Read more on taking a Gap Year in our special blog post.
Clearing or Gap Year isn’t about missed opportunities — it’s about new ones. Whether you’re rethinking your path, reassessing your results, or just getting started a little later, get in touch and we can lead you toward a fulfilling academic future.
