Around 50,000 UK students find their university place through Clearing every year, and a good number of them end up somewhere stronger than their original firm choice. Despite this, Clearing still carries an unfair reputation as a last resort for weak applications, when in reality it is simply how universities fill genuine, sometimes excellent, remaining places.
This guide explains how Clearing works, who can use it, and how to prepare so results day feels manageable rather than overwhelming.
What Is UCAS Clearing?
Clearing is the process UCAS runs to match students without a confirmed university place to courses that still have vacancies. It typically opens in early July and runs until mid-October, though the busiest period by far is the week immediately following A level results day.
Courses appear in Clearing for many reasons beyond low demand. Universities sometimes have more places than expected applicants, or a course fills more slowly than predicted, so genuinely strong courses, including at several Russell Group universities, regularly appear in the Clearing vacancy listings.
Who Can Use Clearing?
- Students who missed their firm and insurance offers, the most common route into Clearing.
- Students who did not hold any offer at all going into results day.
- Students who applied after the main UCAS deadline, who enter Clearing automatically.
- Students who exceed their expected grades and want to use Clearing to “trade up” to a more competitive course or university than their original choices.
How Clearing Works, Step by Step
- Check your grades first, then your UCAS Hub status. These are two separate systems: your school or exam board confirms your grades, while UCAS Hub confirms whether a place has actually been secured.
- Note your Clearing number if your Hub shows you are in Clearing, since universities will ask for this on every call you make.
- Search the Clearing vacancy tool on the UCAS website, which updates in real time and can be browsed even before results day to build a shortlist.
- Call universities directly to discuss your grades and interest, rather than relying on an application alone. Most Clearing offers begin with a phone conversation.
- Accept a verbal offer and add it as your Clearing choice in UCAS Hub, ideally before any deadline the university gives you for holding the place.
Preparing for Clearing Before Results Day
Students who prepare in advance consistently manage the process with far less stress than those who start from scratch on the day itself.
| Preparation Step | Why It Helps |
|---|---|
| Research back-up courses in advance | Removes the pressure of researching options while also managing results-day stress |
| Write down your realistic grade range | Lets you decide your approach for each outcome calmly, ahead of time |
| Save admissions phone numbers | Saves critical time during the busiest calling window of the morning |
| Prepare short talking points | Helps you sound confident and specific rather than vague when a university calls back |
What to Say on a Clearing Call
Universities are assessing genuine interest and fit as much as grades during a Clearing call. Be ready to explain:
- Your exact grades and the course you are enquiring about
- Why you are specifically interested in that course and university, not just that a space is available
- Any relevant experience, projects or reading that supports your interest in the subject
If you receive a verbal offer, always ask how long the university will hold it open for you, since informal offers can come with a deadline.
Common Myths About Clearing
- Myth: Only weak courses appear in Clearing. Strong, well-regarded courses appear every year, including at several Russell Group universities.
- Myth: Clearing means you failed. Many students use Clearing simply because they changed their mind about a subject, applied late, or exceeded their predicted grades.
- Myth: You can hold multiple Clearing offers at once. You can only hold one Clearing choice at a time through UCAS, so compare your options before formally accepting one.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does UCAS Clearing open?
Clearing typically opens in early July and runs until mid-October, though the vast majority of activity happens in the days immediately following A level results day in August.
Can I use Clearing if I already have a confirmed place?
Generally no, since Clearing is for students without a confirmed place, though students who significantly exceed their predicted grades sometimes have the option to use Adjustment-style routes to explore alternatives.
Do good universities really have places in Clearing?
Yes. Strong courses, including at several Russell Group universities, regularly appear in Clearing for reasons unrelated to course quality, such as higher than expected grade achievement across the board that year.
What should I do if I don’t find anything suitable in Clearing?
Take time to consider deferring your application to the following year, retaking exams, or exploring alternative routes such as an apprenticeship, rather than accepting a course purely to have a confirmed place.
Clearing exists precisely because the university admissions system expects some mismatch between predicted grades, actual results and available places, not because something has gone wrong. If you are researching course options generally, our guide to choosing a university course covers the wider decision-making process in detail.
