What is Clearing? (2024)

Clearing is how unis and colleges fill any places they still have on their courses.

1. Ask for advice

   Talk to an adviser at your school, college, centre, or careers office – they can talk you through alternative courses/subjects.If you’re applying independently, you’ll find everything you need to know about the Clearing process here, on ucas.com.

2. See what courses are available

   Use our search tool to find courses – it's the only official vacancy list, so it’s the most up-to-date. If you can't find the course you're looking for:

   • consider different subjects – you don't have to stick with your original idea.You could also look at joint honours courses, so you can study a mix of subjects
   • keep checking – unis update their course information regularly. You might not find the exact unis/colleges/courses you were looking for – some might be full, but some might get vacancies later on
   • check the course details– how is it structured each year?What modules make up each year? What are the entry requirements?

3. Contact any unis or colleges you're interested in

   Before you add a Clearing choice in your application, you need to contact the university/college and give them your Clearing number (you can find this in your application), and Personal ID, so they can look it up.

   • Ask if they'd accept you –they might reconsider you (maybefor the same course) even if you applied to them earlier in the year.
   • Get informal offers – maybe from a variety of universities and colleges – then decide which one you want to accept.
   • Ask about accommodation options – are there any on-campus?
   • Take a look around the campus – if you have the time, it's the best way to see what a university/college is like – most will be happy to meet you and show you around. Alternatively, see if they have avirtual touror avirtual open day.

4. Add yourClearing choice in your application

   Only add a Clearing choice once you have permission from the university or college.

   • Click 'Add Clearing choice', and fill in the course details by the date the university/college gave you.
   • This counts as you definitely accepting the offer, so if they confirm, it'll show as an acceptance on your 'Choices' page in your application.
   • You can only add one choice at a time, but if the university/college doesn't confirm your place, you'll be able to add another.
   • Ifthe university/college confirms your place,find your student accommodationand then make sure youget everything ready to start your studies.

UCAS Conservatoires

UCAS Conservatoires do not use Clearing to fill vacancies. If you're looking for a place at a conservatoire, please search for available courses inour search tool. You'll also need to check with the conservatoire if they're still accepting applications, before you apply.

FAQs

• How will I know I'm in Clearing?

  You'll know you're in Clearing if your application status says 'You are in Clearing' or 'Clearing has started. Or, you follow the on-screen prompts to decline your firm place, and your application status then says ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’.

• Where can I find my Clearing number?

  If you’re eligible for Clearing, your Clearing number will show under ‘Application status’ in your application.

• I think I’m in Clearing, why don’t I have a Clearing number yet?

  If your application doesn't say ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’ it might just be waiting for your results to update.Get in touch with the universities/colleges if it's taking a while – they might still be considering you, even if your results are a bit lower than required.

• How much does it cost?

  If you originally only applied for one course for the reduced fee of £22.50, you'll have to pay an additional £4.50 to apply through Clearing.

• When can I use Clearing?

  • It's available July to October each year.
  • If you already have your exam results but you have no offers, you can use Clearing from July.
  • If you had conditional offers but your exam results didn't go to plan, you can use Clearing from results day, when Clearing vacancies will be listed in oursearch tool.
  • If you're eligible, you can add a Clearing choice on results day.
  • If you are holding a firm unconditional place but have changed your mind, you can decline your place in your application.

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• Where can I find Clearing vacancies?

  All Clearing vacancies are listed in our search tool from July. They are updated regularly by the unis until mid-September.

• How do I add a Clearing choice?

  Go to the ‘Your choices’ section of your application and click'Add Clearing choice.’ Then enter the details of the course.

  Only add a Clearing choice if you’ve been given permission by a uni.

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• How do I reply to a Clearing offer?

  You don’t need to reply to a Clearing offer. Once you add the choice, it’sthen up to the uni/college to confirm your place in your application.

• I don’t want my firm choice, can I use Clearing?

  Yes. If you change your mind you mind and no longer want to go to your firm choice, you can use the ‘decline my place’ button in your application –find out more.​

• Why hasn’t my application updated?

  Your application will update once the uni/college makes a decision. If you’ve met the conditions of your offer, your place will be confirmed soon.

• Can I swap my firm and insurance choices now I’ve got my results?

  No, you can’t swap your firm and insurance choices.

  If you now wantto go to your insurance choice, youneed to go through Clearing. You need to check with your insurance choice uni/college that they can accept you in Clearing.

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• My results are better than I expected, can I use Adjustment?

  From 2022, Adjustment is no longer available. But, if you’ve done better than you thought and want to change universities, you can decline your place in your application to go through Clearing instead.

  Find out more