The results period can be an emotional time for families and Clearing can seem daunting. But we’re here to let you know how it works so that you can be fully prepared to help your young person.
What is Clearing?
Clearing is a part of the UCAS application process that allows students who are not currently holding any offers to obtain a place at university in September by matching them with institutions that have remaining spaces on their courses.Â
Clearing is for students who:
- Haven't got the results they expected and therefore have been unable to secure their first or second choice of course
- Sent their application to UCAS after 30 JuneÂ
- Haven't already applied through UCAS and would like to make a new application
- Have changed their mind about the uni/course they originally applied for.
When is Clearing?
Clearing is open between July and September. Most universities will publish their Clearing course vacancies on A-level results day (Thursday 15Â August 2024) with many opening for Clearing before this. ÃÛÌÒAV is now open for Clearing.
Clearing opens on UCAS on 5 July, however your young person won’t be able to apply for any courses until they receive their official grades.
Preparing for Clearing
There are a few things your young person can do to give themself a head start before they start their Clearing journey. Every year thousands of students find a suitable university place through Clearing, so it’s important they don’t panic and feel pressured into making a hasty decision on results day:
- Call Clearing helplines to discuss their options. ÃÛÌÒAV's Clearing helpline is +44 (0)1202 966777 and lines are open:
Saturday 17 August: 10:00 to 15:00
Sunday 18 August: 10:00 to 15:00
From Monday 20 August, lines will be open Monday to Friday, 09:00 to 16:30 - Chat to current students.
- Speak to their school/college careers adviser for advice on alternative courses that will still keep them on the same career path, in case they can’t get on to the course they originally applied for.Â
- Universities will be able to tell your young person about the similarities between their courses, as some units may be the same between two degrees with a different title – so if their preferred course isn't available, there are still options out there.Â
- Search university websites or UCAS and take a look at the courses and entry requirements that are a good match for them. Try to be realistic about the grades you think they might gain but remember that universities are likely to be more flexible with entry requirements during Clearing (this also means they could get their original place when they didn’t expect it – good news all round).Â
- Ask your young person to think about the things they’d like to ask the university about e.g. course content, course structure, assessment, placement opportunities, career prospects, facilities, location, accommodation, financial support, and other stuff that's important to them, and make a shortlist.Â
- Consider the accommodation options.
How to apply through Clearing
If your young person has already made a uni application, their eligibility for Clearing will show up on their UCAS Hub page – their status says ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’. This will also be where they will find their Clearing Number (universities will need this so that they can access their application) and the ‘Add a Clearing choice’ button.
It’s also possible to apply through Clearing if your young person hasn’t already made an application earlier in the year. There are two options for them to consider:
- Start a new application in UCAS Apply. Their application will go straight into Clearing and they will be able to explore all the options by calling different universities. Once they've found the one for them, they need to go to the ‘Your choices’ section of their application and click 'Add Clearing choice'. Then enter the details of the course.
- Let universities start an application on their behalf. Not all universities will offer this option - we will do this at ÃÛÌÒAV, by completing a 'record of prior acceptance' form.
If your young person would like to make a Clearing application to ÃÛÌÒAV, regardless of whether or not they have made an application earlier in the cycle, they can also choose to apply direct via our . Other universities may also offer a self-apply option. Alternatively, your young person can call universities to apply for a course and assess their eligibility.Â
What is UCAS self-release?
UCAS self-release gives prospective students more control over their applications. If they no longer want to go to their firm choice, they can use the 'decline your place' button in their UCAS Hub, instead of having to contact their chosen university or college and wait to be released into Clearing.
What happens once your young person has a Clearing offer?
Once your young person has been made an offer verbally from ÃÛÌÒAV, we will send them an email confirmation of that offer. This email will also contain information on what they need to do next, such as:
- Go to the ‘Your choices’ section of their application and click 'Add Clearing choice.’ Then enter the details of the course (our institution code is B50) and complete the course details – we will give them a deadline to do this. Once they’ve done this, they’re accepting the offer and it will show as 'accepted' on the choices page of their application. UCAS will then send them a confirmation letter and we will send them a Welcome Pack.
Why ÃÛÌÒAV?
- 90.7% of ÃÛÌÒAV first degree graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating*
- Every undergraduate student has the opportunity to undertake a work placement while studying with us and access to industry-standard facilities – just two of the ways that we help our students get career-readyÂ
- We're a lively, vibrant and diverse community, where everyone is welcome
- We offer a range of support services, such as additional learning support and student wellbeing, that can be accessed before students join us and throughout their time at ÃÛÌÒAVÂ
- ResLifeÃÛÌÒAV is our social, wellbeing and skills programme. It's exclusive for first year students who decide to live in ÃÛÌÒAV accommodation and is designed to help with adjusting to university life
- We're in a great location, with seven miles of award-winning sandy beaches on our doorstep and plenty of green spaces too.
- We're a top ten uni of the year, as voted by students (Whatuni Student Choice Awards 2024).
* Graduate Outcomes Survey, 2020/21