UCAS Clearing 2024: The Definitive Guide for Students

UCAS Clearing is one of the most helpful paths open to students on Results Day, but the range of options available can make it feel more complex than it is. Read our definitive guide to UCAS Clearing to help you navigate your options effectively.

What is UCAS Clearing?

For students applying to UK universities, Clearing offers the opportunity to apply to a new university after results have been published. Clearing is available for students who:

• Didn’t receive any offers.
• Didn’t meet the conditions of their offers.
• Have declined their firm place.

If you’ve performed better or worse than expected in your exams, Clearing provides a fantastic opportunity to gain a place on some brilliant courses at great universities across the UK. Have a look at some of the courses open for Clearing on UCAS here.

Key Dates for UCAS Clearing 2024:

• Opening date: 5th July 2024
• Closing date: 21st October 2024

During this period, universities offer unfilled places on their courses. For the best chances, be efficient on A-Level Results Day as the best places fill up quickly – give yourself a head start by preparing now.

What You Can Do on A-Level Results Day

Preparing for the day:

The best courses are snapped up quickly, so be well-prepared for Results Day. Here’s what you should do:

Get up early: Wake up as early as possible to start checking your UCAS portal. Students typically begin checking from around 6:30am or 7am onwards, so be ready to act quickly.

Collect your results in person: Head to your school early to collect your results. If you can’t pick them up yourself, make prior arrangements for a proxy (such as a friend or parent) or speak to your school about how to access your grades quickly.

Key actions on Results Day:

Check the UCAS Portal: Log in to your UCAS portal to check the status of your offers. Remember, A-Level results won’t be visible on UCAS, so you’ll need to collect them separately.

Gather your information: Have a notepad, two working pens, your UCAS number, Clearing number, and grades ready for any phone calls. You’ll be given a lot of information over the phone, so being organised is key.

Contact universities: If you’ve narrowly missed your firm choice or your offer status is unclear, contact the universities listed as your Firm and Insurance Choices to discuss your options.

Self-release if necessary: If you haven’t met the conditions of your Firm Choice and don’t wish to attend your Insurance choice, you may need to self-release from your Insurance choice to become eligible for Clearing. This is a big decision, so ensure you’ve considered all options first.

Prepare for long phone calls: Be prepared to spend significant time on the phone. Many students will be trying to secure places, so phone lines may be busy. Having access to multiple phone devices can be helpful for contacting more than one university at a time.

If You Decide to Proceed With UCAS Clearing

Research and Preparation for UCAS Clearing

Research courses and universities: Start by making a list of potential UCAS Clearing courses and universities that interest you. This will help you move quickly on Results Day.

Gather your information: Ensure you have all essential details ready, including your Clearing ID number, A-Level, IB, Pre-U, or BTEC grades, and a ranked list of courses and universities.

Practise for interviews: Be ready to discuss why you’re interested in each course. Reviewing your personal statement can be beneficial, as universities might ask questions based on it.

Prepare contact details: Have a notepad, two working pens, your UCAS number, Clearing number, and grades handy for phone calls. Being organized will help you handle multiple calls effectively.

Choosing Where to Apply

Evaluate your options: It might be tempting to accept the first offer, but remember that you’re committing to several years of study. Research thoroughly to ensure that both the university and the course are the right fit for you.

Research ahead of time: Check the options available before and during Results Day. More spots will become available early on Results Day, so keep updating your list.

Consider the university environment: Think about whether you’d enjoy studying at the university. Can you explore it online? What facilities, resources, and accommodations are available?

Evaluate the course content: Courses with the same title can differ between universities. Ensure you understand what each course covers before making a decision.

Applying Through UCAS Clearing

Contacting universities: To secure a place through Clearing, you must speak directly to universities. Remember, you cannot hold any other offers (neither insurance nor firm) while applying through Clearing.

Have your information ready: Before calling, make sure you have your Clearing ID number, grades, and ranked list of courses and universities prepared. This will streamline the conversation.

During the call: Universities may ask for your grades and could also inquire about your interest in the course. Be prepared to discuss your personal statement, as it may be referenced during the call.

Accepting offers:

The university will let you know if you’ve been accepted. Typically, you have 24 hours to accept or reject the offer.

You don’t need to accept the first offer you receive. Continue speaking to other universities if you want to explore more options.

Once you’ve decided to accept an offer, add the university and course as your Clearing choice on UCAS using the details provided during your call.

What to Consider After Getting Your Place

If you’ve successfully got a place through Clearing – congratulations! Ahead of starting in September, you’ll need to:

• Arrange accommodation.
• Work with the university on any access requirements.
• Provide the university with key information about you.

If You’ve Missed Your Offer

If you open your results and you’ve missed your offer, don’t panic!

Check UCAS first: If you’ve only narrowly missed your firm and/or insurance offer grades, you may still be accepted, so don’t start applying through Clearing before your UCAS updates.

Start Clearing: If you haven’t been accepted into either of your choices, Clearing is now open to you. Build on your prior research or use UCAS’ Clearing tool or Clearing Plus to identify the best options available for you.

If You’ve Exceeded Your Offer

If you’ve done better than expected, you may be able to benefit from the Clearing process and gain a place on a better course than your confirmed choice.

Follow the same procedure: Phone the university via the Clearing line and apply for the place. If you are successful, you can decline your firm choice on UCAS and instead opt to apply via Clearing.

Be cautious: Do not decline your existing place if you have not yet confirmed a place at a university through Clearing!

If You Haven’t Got a Place Through Clearing

If you haven’t found a place through Clearing, don’t worry! There are many paths open to you.

Get in touch with our team for a consultation about your unique situation, so that we can help you identify the next best steps. This might be resit exams, application preparation for next academic year, or alternative study or work plans.