Using the UCAS Clearing System 

Every year, tens of thousands of students secure university places through Clearing. This article explains what Clearing is all about and gives you basic advice on how to use the system. We’ll signpost you to more information and mention a few other options to consider. 

N.B. In this article we talk about ‘universities’, but you may be applying to colleges of higher education or other institutions.

In a nutshell, what is UCAS Clearing?

Clearing is how universities with places available fill their courses. Students can look for Clearing vacancies through the UCAS course-search tool.

Who can use Clearing?

You’ll be eligible if you:

• didn’t receive any offers when you applied
• received one or more offers but didn’t want to accept them
• didn’t meet the requirements for a conditional offer
• are applying after 30th June 
• you have decided to decline your firm unconditional place. 

When does Clearing operate?

In 2024, Clearing will operate from 5th July when certain students begin to receive their results. Many students will start using the service when their A level results come out on the 15th August or Scottish Highers on 6th August. Clearing places will be updated regularly by universities until mid-September.

Before you enter Clearing

Getting into university can be very competitive. Although some students receive unconditional offers, most are offered places on the condition that they will achieve certain grades in their A-levels, Highers, T-levels or other qualifications, or get at least a set number of UCAS Tariff points. 

When you receive your results, if your grades are lower than you need for your chosen course, you could enter Clearing, but before you go down this route, there are a few things to do or consider.

It’s worth phoning your chosen university as they may still be making decisions. This will demonstrate that you are enthusiastic about studying with them and give you the opportunity to explain why they should still consider you. Mention any reasons why you may not have performed as well in your exams as you had hoped and anything else that may just persuade them to offer you a place. You have nothing to lose! They may offer you your chosen course or perhaps a place on a related one. 

If you didn’t get any offers or haven’t met the grades, have a think about why this might be the case. Perhaps your application could have been better, you didn’t do enough revision or there may have been extenuating circumstances that prevented you from doing as well as predicted. You may need to adjust your ambitions, but if you and your teachers are baffled by your results, you can ask to have papers remarked. 

You could consider retaking your exams and reapplying to university next year. Speak to your teachers – they may be able to give you a realistic idea as to whether you could improve your grade/s. Also talk to admissions tutors at your chosen universities. Some will expect you to get even higher grades than originally offered and others don’t accept resit students at all.

Your results may cause you to rethink your options entirely. Is university really for you? Full-time higher education isn’t for everyone. Alternative options include:

• applying for an apprenticeship – some lead to degree-level or other higher education qualifications – or another type of employer training scheme
• studying for a course on a part-time or distance-learning basis; the entry requirements may be more flexible and you could work while you study
• taking a gap year so that you can do something useful whilst thinking about your next steps.

How Clearing works: a step-by-step process

Make sure you are available on results day, and have internet access and a phone so that you can contact universities if you want to enter Clearing.

1. If you are eligible for Clearing, you’ll notice a Clearing number in your application status. Once you’re in the system it will say ‘You are in Clearing’ or similar. It can take a while for your results to be uploaded, so if it doesn’t say you are in Clearing, don’t delay contacting universities.
2. UCAS provides official, up-to-date vacancy listings. Use the UCAS course-search tool to research courses. If you can’t find something suitable, keep checking as new places become available. To help you find suitable places, Clearing Plus – see below – can give you suggestions.
3. Be open minded. You could think about taking a related subject or a course leading to a different higher education qualification (such as an HND or foundation degree). There are also courses that incorporate a foundation year for those who haven’t got the right grades or subjects for direct entry to a degree. When you’ve found courses of interest, check that you fulfil the entry requirements and make sure that you are happy with the course itself.
4. Once you are satisfied that a course could be right for you, phone the university. Have to hand your Clearing number from your application and your Personal ID. Be prepared to have a discussion with the admissions tutor so think about the reasons why the programme appeals to you, why you think you should be offered a place, how any career ambitions you have relate to the course etc. If you’re unsure about anything, do ask. You may want to check that accommodation is available, for instance.
5. The university may make you an informal offer over the phone, but you don’t have to make an immediate decision. You may want to do a bit more research.
6. Once you’ve made a decision and you have permission from the university, go to the ‘Your choices’ part of your application and click ‘Add Clearing choice’. Complete the course details by the deadline given to you by the university when you spoke with them. This will show on your application as an acceptance on your ‘Choices’ page. Only add one choice at a time.
7. If the university doesn’t confirm your place, you can add another. Your application updates as soon as the university makes a decision. 

Using Clearing Plus

This service is available to you if you haven’t secured a university place or if you’re applying for the first time. The system works by examining your original course choices (if you have already applied through UCAS), together with the qualifications you have taken and the grades you have received. 

This information is then linked to the types of students universities are seeking for the places they have made available through Clearing, along with an analysis of the types of courses previous Clearing applicants like you went on to study. To make it easier and quicker for you to find suitable places, courses are suggested to you based on these matches.

• A ‘See matches’ button will appear on your application.
• Click on this and you’ll see 50 top matches to courses that are individual to you.
• If any of these appeal to you, let the university know by clicking on ‘Interested’.
• If they still have vacancies, these universities may then contact you. Be prepared to answer questions about why you have chosen them.
• If you are offered a place and decide to accept it, add it as a Clearing choice.

You may find that none of the matched courses are of interest or the places suggested fill up, and there’s no guarantee you’ll be offered a place. For these reasons, don’t rely on Clearing Plus; also do your own research on Clearing vacancies.

Making the decision

Don’t make a panic decision. You need to be really sure that for any courses you are considering, the course content/focus, delivery and assessment methods etc will suit you, and that you’ll be happy at the university itself. If you haven’t already visited, try to have a look around or, if available, do a virtual visit.

Get advice if necessary before you take up an offer. Teachers, careers advisers and university admissions tutors can all help. You can also talk to advisers through your national careers service:

• the National Careers Service in England

• Careers Wales
• My World of Work for those in Scotland
• the Careers Service for Northern Ireland.

Finally …

For more information about Clearing, your first port of call is the UCAS website. Advisers at UCAS – phone 0371 468 0468 – can answer any queries you may have about Clearing. There’s also useful information and advice through sites such as:

• Prospects 
• The Complete University Guide
• Whatuni

This can be an exciting but also an anxious time in your life. If you start to feel it’s all a bit too much, talk things through with your family or friends. The YoungMinds website has information to help you cope with disappointing exam results and provides links to organisations that can offer support.

Good luck finding that perfect opportunity!

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Debbie Steel, Updated July 2024

With a background working with apprentices and teaching in further education, Debbie was employed as an in-house careers author before establishing herself as a freelancer. As well as co-authoring numerous careers books, Debbie has produced resources and web content for a range of high-profile clients. She is an enthusiastic proponent of impartial and reliable careers information. 

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