What is Clearing and how does it work?

Clearing is now open! The summertime process of prospective students getting into university for September is well under way. But what is Clearing and what does it mean for you?

What is Clearing?

Clearing is a process that helps students secure a place at a UK-based university or college if they haven’t received an offer or haven’t met the conditions of their offers after A-Level results are released.

As a process, Clearing typically happens between July and September and is a crucial option for students who may have missed out on their first-choice or second-choice university offers.

When students apply, they select their desired courses and universities. After receiving their A-Level results, if a student hasn’t met the required grades or hasn’t received any offers, they can enter Clearing to find available courses.

Universities list vacant spots throughout Clearing, and students can contact these institutions directly to apply.

How does Clearing work?

The process begins when students get their results and use the Clearing search tool to explore open courses.

If they find a course they’re interested in, they can contact the university to discuss their eligibility. If the university agrees, they’ll provide a Clearing number, which the student can use to apply for the course through UCAS.

Clearing is highly competitive, and courses can fill up quickly, so students must act fast. It’s an excellent opportunity for students who are flexible about their course choice, as it opens up the chance to explore different programmes and universities.

Connor is one of the students who applied through Clearing in 2024, and is now thriving at UCFB, studying BA (Hons) Multimedia Sports Journalism and gaining industry experience on the media staff at Arsenal and Dulwich Hamlet.

In summary, UCAS Clearing offers students a second chance at university admission, providing more options and flexibility, especially for those who didn’t get the results they hoped for.