Clearing Explained

Every August, thousands of UK applicants find themselves in the same situation on results day: the grades are not what they expected, or they have changed their minds, or they never received an offer they wanted. Clearing is the system that helps them. It is often misunderstood as a last resort for those who failed. In reality it is a normal part of the admissions cycle, and many students find excellent courses through it.

This guide explains how Clearing generally works and how to prepare. Dates, rules and systems change every year, so rely on the official UCAS site and each university's pages. This is not an official guide.

What Clearing is

Clearing matches applicants without a place to courses that still have vacancies. After exam results are released, universities list the courses they can still offer, and applicants contact them to ask for places. It runs for a period over the summer, and into the autumn in some cases.

Clearing is different from the earlier stages of UCAS, where you apply and receive offers. It is faster, more informal and more flexible. Our guide to UCAS step by step describes the earlier stages.

Who can use it

Generally, you can use Clearing if:

• You applied but received no offers, or declined or were unsuccessful in all of them.
• You did not meet the conditions of your offers, and your firm and insurance choices did not accept you.
• You declined your offers and want to look elsewhere.
• You applied after the main deadline.
• You decided to change course or university.

If you did better than expected and want to look for a different course, a separate process called Adjustment may apply. Our guide to UCAS Extra and Adjustment explained covers it. Always check the official UCAS guidance for the rules in your year.

Before results day

Preparation makes a big difference.

1. Know your options. Think about alternative courses and subjects you would enjoy.
2. Check your login details for UCAS, and your phone number.
3. Keep documents ready: your UCAS ID, Clearing number when available, personal statement, grades and references.
4. Know your predicted and expected grades, and the minimum you need.
5. Talk to your school or college adviser and plan who you will call.
6. Research courses and universities that often have vacancies in your area.
7. Plan how to be reachable on results day.

Our guide to conditional and unconditional offers explained explains what your offers require. If you are close to missing an offer, remember that your firm university may still accept you, so wait for the decision before moving on.

On results day

When results arrive:

• Check UCAS Track to see your status.
• If your place is confirmed, you are done.
• If you have narrowly missed, your firm choice may still accept you. Wait for their decision, and do not panic.
• If you are in Clearing, your Clearing number will be available in your account.
• Talk to your adviser about next steps.

Take a few minutes to breathe, then plan calmly.

How to search

Courses with vacancies are listed on official websites. You can search by subject, location and entry requirements. Look beyond university names to the details of the course.

• Content and modules.
• Teaching and assessment.
• Entry requirements, including whether your grades meet them.
• Location and accommodation.
• Cost, including tuition and living expenses.
• Student satisfaction and graduate outcomes.

Make a shortlist, and be open to options you had not considered. Courses in related subjects may suit your interests and goals.

Contacting universities

Once you have a shortlist, call or follow the instructions of each university.

1. Have your documents ready.
2. Be polite and concise. Say who you are, what course you are interested in and what your results are.
3. Ask about the course, entry requirements and available places.
4. Ask about accommodation and costs.
5. Listen to what they say, and note names and details.
6. Ask for time if you need to decide.

Admissions staff handle many calls during Clearing. They want to help you, but they also have limited time. Be prepared.

Receiving and accepting offers

If a university offers you a place, you may be given time to decide. Before you accept:

• Check that you want the course. Read about it again.
• Check the cost and funding.
• Check accommodation options and deadlines.
• Check how the offer will appear in your UCAS account.
• Do not accept more than one place. Add one Clearing choice at a time, as the system requires.
• Follow the instructions for adding the choice.

Once you add a choice and the university confirms, your place is secure, subject to their conditions. If you change your mind, ask about the policy.

Common concerns

I am afraid that courses will be poor. Clearing courses are the same as others. A vacancy does not mean a weak course.

I am afraid that I will have no choice. Many universities have vacancies, and numbers can be large.

I am afraid of making a fast decision. You can take time to research. Do not feel pressured.

What if I do not get a place? There are other routes, including waiting for a later cycle, taking a gap year, foundation courses, apprenticeships or other pathways. A counselor can help.

International students

International applicants may use Clearing too, though visa and funding timelines can be tight. Check with each university about deadlines for documents, English language requirements and visas. Plan to allow extra time. Be careful with third parties who promise guaranteed places.

Being careful

• Use official sources for lists of vacancies.
• Beware of scams. Never pay a fee to get a place.
• Do not give bank details to unofficial callers.
• Check universities' details through official websites.
• Keep notes of conversations.

If something seems wrong, stop and verify.

Your wellbeing

Results day is stressful. Talk to someone you trust, eat and sleep, and keep perspective. Many students who go through Clearing are happy with their courses. A change of plan can lead to a better fit.

A sample results-day plan

Imagine you wake early on results day with a phone, a charger, your documents and a list of five courses you researched. You check your account and see that you narrowly missed your firm offer. You wait for the university's decision for a few hours, using the time to call your adviser. When the decision is a rejection, you call the first university on your list. You ask clear questions about the course, say your grades and listen to the response. By the afternoon you have two possible places, and you give yourself until the next morning to decide.

The plan was simple: prepare, stay calm, ask questions and avoid rushing.

Questions to ask when you call

Ask what the course covers in the first year, how it is assessed and what the teaching hours are. Ask whether accommodation is guaranteed for Clearing students, and how much it costs. Ask what support is offered for new students, and what happens after graduation. Ask about the deadline to accept. These questions show that you are serious, and they help you compare courses fairly.

Adjustment and changing your mind

If you did better than expected, you may want to look at other courses while holding your place. This is a separate process with its own short window. Do not give up your confirmed place until you have a new offer in writing. Our guide to UCAS Extra and Adjustment explains how the options differ, and your adviser can help you decide.

Common mistakes

• Panicking and accepting the first offer.
• Not preparing documents.
• Ignoring course details.
• Not checking costs and accommodation.
• Waiting too long to call.
• Falling for scams.

A quick checklist

• Have I prepared my details and a shortlist before results day?
• Do I understand my options and whether I am eligible?
• Have I researched courses, costs and accommodation?
• Have I contacted universities calmly and kept notes?
• Have I checked that I really want the place before accepting?

Final thoughts

Clearing is a normal, useful part of UK admissions. Prepare before results day, research courses carefully, call universities with your documents ready and take the time to decide. Many students find a course they love through Clearing.