University Clearing | UCAS Clearing & How to Apply
University Clearing gives students another opportunity to find a university place when they don’t already hold a confirmed offer. Through UCAS Clearing, universities and colleges advertise courses with places still available, allowing eligible applicants to contact institutions, discuss their results and potentially secure a place on another course.
Clearing can help if you apply to university later in the admissions cycle, receive no suitable offers, don’t meet the conditions of your original choices or decide to give up a confirmed place and look elsewhere. This guide explains how UCAS Clearing works, who can use Clearing, how to find Clearing courses and university vacancies, what to do on results day, and how to prepare after accepting a Clearing place.
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What Is UCAS Clearing?
UCAS Clearing is part of the undergraduate university admissions process that connects applicants without a confirmed place with universities and colleges that still have course vacancies. Rather than starting the entire application process again, eligible students can search available courses, contact universities directly and, after receiving permission from an institution, add a Clearing choice through their UCAS application.
Clearing isn’t only for students who receive lower grades than expected. It can also be used by students applying later, applicants who haven’t secured a place and eligible students who decide that their existing confirmed choice is no longer right for them.
Who Can Apply Through Clearing?
You may be able to use University Clearing if you’re not currently holding a confirmed university place and your UCAS application shows that you’re eligible for Clearing. This can include students who applied later in the admissions cycle, received no offers they wanted to accept, didn’t meet the conditions of their offers or chose to decline a confirmed place to search for another university or course.
Students who didn’t originally apply to university earlier in the cycle may also be able to make a late UCAS application and enter Clearing. Your exact options depend on your application status, so check your UCAS account before contacting universities.
When Does University Clearing Open?
University Clearing normally opens in July and continues into the autumn, although exact dates and application deadlines change for each admissions cycle. Clearing therefore begins before the main A level results day, allowing some students who already have their qualifications or become eligible earlier to search for available university places.
Clearing activity becomes particularly busy around UK results days, when universities know more about the places remaining on their courses. Because dates change, check the current admissions calendar directly with UCAS rather than relying on dates from an older article. Check current UCAS dates and deadlines
How Does UCAS Clearing Work?
The UCAS Clearing process involves finding courses with vacancies, researching suitable options, contacting universities and discussing whether they would consider your application. If a university is willing to offer you a place through Clearing, it will normally tell you when and how to add that course as your Clearing choice.
| Step | What to Do |
|---|---|
| 1. Check your UCAS application | Confirm your application status and Clearing eligibility. |
| 2. Search Clearing courses | Find universities and courses with available places. |
| 3. Research your options | Compare course content, entry requirements, location and costs. |
| 4. Contact universities | Discuss your qualifications, results and the available course. |
| 5. Receive an offer | Make sure the university has agreed that you can add the course. |
| 6. Add your Clearing choice | Enter the agreed choice through your UCAS application. |
| 7. Wait for confirmation | Check your application for confirmation of your university place. |
| 8. Prepare for university | Arrange finance, accommodation, travel and enrolment. |
You can speak to several universities while researching your options, but you can only add one Clearing choice at a time. Don’t add a course as your Clearing choice until the university has told you that you can do so.
Finding Clearing Courses & University Vacancies
Available Clearing courses and university vacancies can be searched through UCAS once Clearing opens. Availability changes throughout the Clearing period as places are filled and universities update their courses, so a vacancy available earlier may not remain available later.
Don’t choose a degree simply because it appears in Clearing. Check the course modules, entry requirements, university location, campus, tuition fees, accommodation, placement opportunities and professional accreditation where relevant. You’re still choosing where and what you may study for several years, so the course itself matters more than simply securing any available place. Explore UCAS Clearing
Contacting Universities During Clearing
When you find a Clearing course you’re interested in, contact the university before adding it to your UCAS application. Keep your UCAS Personal ID, qualifications, examination results and course details available, and be prepared to explain why you’re interested in the course. Admissions teams can tell you whether they can consider your application and what you need to do next.
Use the conversation to get information as well as provide it. Confirm the exact course and campus, ask about accommodation availability and clarify anything important about the degree that isn’t clear online. If you’re considering several universities, make notes so you can compare your options before making a final decision.
💡 Clearing Tip: Prepare your UCAS details, results and a shortlist of courses before contacting universities. Clearing can move quickly, particularly around results day.
University Clearing on Results Day
If your results are different from what you expected, first check your UCAS application status rather than assuming you’ve lost your university place. Your firm university may still have accepted you, may still be considering your application or could potentially offer an alternative course.
If you’re eligible for Clearing, check current vacancies and start contacting universities you’ve researched. Results day can be busy, but don’t let pressure push you into accepting a course you know little about. Compare the course, university, location, accommodation and costs before making your Clearing choice.
Clearing Entry Requirements & Lower Grades
There isn’t one set of Clearing entry requirements covering every university. Requirements depend on the institution, course, number of available places and the applicant’s qualifications. A university may consider applicants whose results differ from its earlier published offer requirements, but acceptance with lower grades is never guaranteed.
If your grades are lower than expected, consider realistic alternatives such as related degree subjects, universities with different entry requirements or courses with a foundation year. Contact admissions teams rather than assuming that your grades automatically rule you in or out.
Changing University Through Clearing
Students who already have a confirmed university place but want to look elsewhere should be particularly careful. UCAS provides a way for eligible applicants to decline a confirmed place, but doing so means giving up that place and does not guarantee that another university will accept you through Clearing.
Research alternatives and speak to universities you’re seriously considering before surrendering a place you would still be willing to attend. You can investigate Clearing vacancies without immediately giving up your existing confirmed choice.
Student Finance & Accommodation After Clearing
If Clearing changes your university, course, tuition fees or living arrangements, update your Student Finance information with the relevant funding body as soon as possible. A change to your UCAS application does not necessarily update your student funding automatically, and incorrect course or university information can delay the processing of your finance.
You should also contact your new university’s accommodation service once your place is confirmed. If university halls are limited, compare purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), private halls and shared student houses, checking rent, bills, deposits, contract length and distance from campus before signing anything.
International Students & UCAS Clearing
Eligible international students can use UCAS Clearing to find available places at UK universities, but accepting a new course can involve additional considerations. International applicants should check tuition fees, deposits, accommodation, CAS arrangements, UK Student visa requirements, financial evidence and the time available to complete immigration and travel arrangements.
If you’ve already started a Student visa application or your university changes through Clearing, don’t assume your existing immigration arrangements automatically remain suitable. Check with the university’s international student team and current UK immigration guidance before making travel or visa decisions.
What to Check Before Accepting a Clearing Place
A Clearing decision can happen quickly, but you should still understand exactly what you’re accepting. Check the course, university, campus, entry requirements, accommodation and costs before adding your Clearing choice so that you’re choosing a place you genuinely want rather than simply taking the first vacancy available.
✔ Check the Course Modules & Structure
✔ Confirm the University & Campus
✔ Check Entry Requirements
✔ Compare Tuition Fees & Living Costs
✔ Ask About Student Accommodation
✔ Check Travel & Transport
✔ Check Placements or Accreditation Where Relevant
✔ Confirm International Student Requirements Where Applicable
✔ Understand the Offer Before Accepting It
What to Do After Getting a Clearing Place
Once your Clearing place is confirmed, move quickly on the practical arrangements for starting university. Update any information that has changed, secure accommodation and follow the enrolment instructions sent by your new university.
✔ Update Your Student Finance Details
✔ Find Student Accommodation
✔ Complete University Enrolment Requirements
✔ Compare Student Bank Accounts
✔ Create a Student Budget
✔ Arrange Student Travel
✔ Complete Your Student Packing List
✔ Prepare for Freshers’ Week
✔ Join StudentUK Chat Rooms
Free Student Chat Rooms for UK Students
Going through UCAS Clearing or waiting for university results? Join the StudentUK community to connect with prospective students, freshers, university students and international students across the UK. Discuss Clearing courses, university choices, results, student accommodation, Student Finance, Freshers’ Week and starting university, share experiences and meet students preparing for university.
Other students can share their experiences of Clearing and university applications, but admissions decisions and entry requirements are set by individual universities. Always confirm your Clearing offer, course details and application status directly with UCAS and the university concerned.
Frequently Asked Questions
University Clearing is part of the UCAS undergraduate admissions process that helps eligible applicants without a confirmed university place find courses that still have vacancies.
UCAS Clearing normally opens in July and continues into the autumn. Exact opening, application and final-choice deadlines vary by admissions cycle, so check the current UCAS dates before applying.
Yes, eligible international applicants can use Clearing. They should also consider CAS, Student visa, tuition fee, financial evidence, accommodation and travel requirements when accepting a place.
No. Clearing opens before the main A level results day. Applicants who are already eligible and have the information needed to apply may be able to use Clearing earlier.
Potentially, yes. Students making a late UCAS application may be able to enter Clearing if they meet the applicable requirements and universities still have suitable vacancies.
Yes, if you’re eligible for Clearing. Whether a university accepts your results depends on the course, available places, entry requirements and your individual application.
Yes. You can research and contact multiple universities about available courses. However, you can only add one Clearing choice at a time through your UCAS application.
Yes. You should contact the university and make sure it is willing to consider or accept you before adding the course as your Clearing choice.