When and Why Students Use Clearing
Clearing is available to applicants without a confirmed university place after the main application cycle concludes. The process typically begins in early July and remains open until mid-October. The most intensive period occurs around A-level results day in mid-August, when most applicants learn whether they met their conditional offers.
Applicants are automatically placed into Clearing if they did not receive any offers from their initial five choices or declined all offers received. Students who fail to meet the grade requirements of their conditional offers also become eligible. Individuals applying for a university place after the main UCAS deadline in June are also routed directly into Clearing.
The system provides flexibility for those who have had a change of heart regarding their original course or university choice. If a student holds an offer but wishes to pursue a different path, they can use the ‘decline my place’ option in their UCAS Hub to voluntarily enter Clearing. This option is also used by applicants who achieved higher grades than expected and want to explore courses at institutions with higher entry requirements.
Navigating the Step-by-Step Application Process
The application process begins once the UCAS Hub confirms the applicant is in Clearing and provides the necessary Clearing Number. Universities require this number and the applicant’s Personal ID to access application details. Applicants must then identify courses with vacancies using the official UCAS search tool.
Once a suitable course is identified, the applicant must contact the university directly through its designated Clearing hotline. The applicant, not a parent or advisor, must speak with a course representative or admissions officer to discuss their qualifications. This conversation is often an informal interview where the university assesses the applicant’s suitability and commitment.
If the university offers a place, it is initially a verbal offer, conditional on the university accepting the applicant’s final grades. Applicants must note the specific course and institution codes for the final administrative step. Applicants are encouraged to obtain multiple verbal offers before making a final decision.
After selecting the preferred verbal offer, the applicant must formally accept it by adding the course as a Clearing choice in the UCAS Hub. This is done by selecting the ‘Add Clearing choice’ button and accurately inputting the course details provided by the university. An applicant can only add one Clearing choice at a time, and this action signifies a firm acceptance of the place.
The chosen university then reviews the added choice and officially confirms the place, changing the applicant’s status in the Hub to an acceptance. If the university does not confirm the place, the applicant’s status reverts, allowing them to add another choice and repeat the process with a different verbal offer.
Preparation and Research for Clearing Success
Long before results day, applicants should compile a shortlist of alternative courses and universities they would consider. Prioritizing these options based on interest and location minimizes the need for rushed decision-making when vacancies appear.
Applicants should gather all necessary documentation in one easily accessible location. This preparation should include:
- The UCAS Personal ID
- The Clearing Number once available
- All final qualification results, including GCSE and equivalent grades
- A copy of the personal statement, as universities may reference it during the phone call
Applicants should prepare a list of questions to ask the university staff during the phone call. These questions should focus on course content, module options, and accommodation availability for Clearing students.