A-level Results Day | What is clearing and how can it help you?
UCAS Clearing is a service provided by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS). It can help you find a university or college place after results day if you haven't secured one through the regular application process.
Last year, almost 68,000 students used Clearing. UCAS applicant data 28 days after results day showed a record number of UK 18-year-olds secured a place using Clearing - 38,140, up from 33,280 (+14.6%) in 2022 when exams were re-introduced.
In total, 16,040 UK 18-year-old applicants found a new course using Clearing after releasing themselves from a previously held choice.
Of these:
32% found a place after declining their original firm choice
30% found a place after not meeting the terms of their offer and being released into Clearing on results day
The remainder either applied directly into Clearing or held no firm choice.
Who can use Clearing?
Clearing runs from July to October yearly and is a crucial part of the UK higher education admissions process.
You can use Clearing if you:
1. Didn't receive any offers from your initial university applications or didn't accept any offers you received
2. Didn't meet the conditions. This means if you didn't achieve the required grades for your conditional offers.
3. Declined their offers. This means if you change your mind about your chosen course or university.
4. Applied late: You applied after the June 30 deadline.
When does clearing open for me?
A-Level Results Day is Thursday, August 15th, 2024, and SQA Higher Advanced Qualification Results Day is Tuesday, August 6th.
From 9 am on both dates, the adviser portal will open, and you can access your application and add a clearing choice from 10:00 am.
You can only apply to Clearing once you have your results.
What are the benefits of UCAS Clearing?
Clearing offers you a second opportunity to secure a university place if your initial plans didn't work out as expected or your grades were better than expected. It allows you to explore and choose from a broader range of courses and universities you may not have considered initially.
Will universities go below their usual entry requirements during Clearing?
Within Clearing, some universities may offer lower than the offer listed on their site. This depends on the demand for the course and the grades of other interested students.
How will you know if you're in Clearing?
Your UCAS Hub status will say 'you are in Clearing' or 'Clearing has started'.
If you didn't match the entry requirements for your course and university but your Hub status doesn't say you're in Clearing, it could mean your results haven't been updated, or the universities are still considering your application.
How does Clearing work?
1. To use this service, you must check your eligibility for Clearing. Your eligibility will be indicated on your UCAS Track page, and you will receive a Clearing number.
2. You can then use the UCAS Clearing search tool, university websites, and Clearing hotlines to research courses with available places. Consider entry requirements, course content, and university facilities.
3. Contact universities directly to discuss your interest in available courses. You must have your Clearing number, personal details, and exam results ready for these conversations.
4. Universities may make verbal offers over the phone. Take note of these offers, consider options carefully, and choose the best fit for your needs and goals.
5. Once you have decided on a course, add the Clearing choice to your UCAS Track page. If the university confirms the place, it will show as an acceptance on your Track page.
You can only add one Clearing choice at a time. If the university doesn't confirm your place, you can add another.
Tips for using Clearing
1. Act quickly. The Clearing process can be fast-paced, so it's important to stay calm, research thoroughly, and act quickly.
2. Prepare all necessary information, including exam results, Clearing number, and personal details. Make a list of courses and universities of interest.
3. When you speak to universities, remember you are competing for places with other students in clearing, so be positive about yourself, the course and the university. Say why you want to study that particular course and what you can offer. Be ready to answer questions about your exam results, motivation, and experience.
4. Ask teachers, career advisors, and family for support and advice. They can help you make informed decisions.
5. Be open to considering different courses and universities.
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