Guide to Clearing

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What you can do before Clearing begins to give yourself a head start

If you know you will be in Clearing

• Have a look to see what courses were still on offer in Extra at the end of June. Remember though that not all courses that were in Extra will be in Clearing, and there will some in Clearing that didn't feature in Extra at any stage: this is simply a guide.
• Check out the entry requirements (do not assume they will be lowered for Clearing, though in some cases they might be) and be realistic in terms of the grades you expect to achieve.
• Check out the uni websites for those courses to make sure that the course content is what you are looking for.
• Contact unis to state your interest before Results Day (especially if you're interested in Scottish unis but are waiting for A level results)
• Add courses you like to your list of courses to look out for when the Clearing lists are published on Results Day.

This way, when you ring up about a course you will have the advantage of knowing something about it and will sound like a much more attractive candidate than someone who had never even heard of the course until 15 minutes before ringing the uni. Also, the more informed you are, the less likely you will be to make a duff choice in the heat of the moment.

You might also like to read some experiences of Clearing in 2009 here.

Clearing - You can do it!

So, you're entering the dreaded Clearing. You've probably heard many horror stories about it, and you're scared. But it doesn't have to be a mad scramble like the media makes out. You can take on Clearing and survive!

• Do remember to check Track for your eligibility for Clearing (UCAS will not be writing to people about this any more)
• Do be flexible and consider alternatives to what you had originally planned
• Don't believe all the scare stories in the papers about there not being enough places to go round. There will be some people who will not get the places they wanted this year, as there always are, but there will be just as many others who will be successful in gaining a place and happy with their choice.
• Don't just take the first offer that's made to you - do your research as you normally would, and definitely go and visit unis you are interested in before hitting those Track buttons.
• Don't assume that you *have* to go to uni come what may. If you aren't sure that you really want to do the courses offered to you, it's OK to decide not to go and leave it for another year.

How does Clearing work?

Your eligibility for Clearing will show up on your Track, where you will find your Clearing Number (unis will want this so that they can access your application) and the 'Add a Clearing Choice' button. The 'Add a Clearing Choice' button will only appear on Track once Track becomes full functional (around 6pm or later on Results Day), it is possible to add Clearing choices before this by phoning up UCAS but only after you've been asked to do this by a uni.

In Clearing, applicants contact unis direct to talk to them about the courses available and whether their application can be considered. You can contact as many unis as you like, and may receive informal offers from several. Each will provide you with a course code and institution code. When you have decided which offer you want to take up, you must enter the details on Track. You can only enter one choice, and you must have discussed your application with the university first. If you enter a choice without doing this you are likely to cause yourself significant delays and may even lose out on a course you were really interested in.

Record of Prior Acceptance (also known as Direct Entry)

It may be possible to get a place at a university independently of the UCAS system. Not all unis will accept applications this way, so it is strongly advised that you send an application through UCAS rather than relying on this method. If you are sure you want to go to uni you need to be sure the university will accept you as a direct applicant. Be warned - if you use this method then you CANNOT change your mind and look elsewhere through Clearing, you apply to a single university and are committed to that university. If you change your mind you will have to take a gap year and reapply through UCAS.

To do this, you would need to contact the university you wish to apply to and explain your circumstances. If they can accept you this way, they will give you a form called a “Record of Prior Acceptance”. They should also be able to advise you how to complete this and when you need to return it by.

Clearing: What to do first

You've already bought your copy of The Independent. You did that on your way to pick up your results, right? The Independent is the only newspaper that lists full details of all vacancies, so it's an essential buy. And it's rather good at killing spiders too. Other newspapers may have Clearing information in, but will only be smaller (probably regional) guides.

The most up to date vacancy information is available on the UCAS website. Some unis will have lists on their own websites, and may even have webforms to fill in and request further details.

Once you've got your copy of The Independent, you'll probably be daunted by how large it is. Well, that's a good thing. It shows just how many things are available. In 2008, 43,890 people got places through Clearing. In 2009, 47,188 people did - that's a lot of people!

A few Clearing facts:

• You can apply for any subject you like, as long as you're sufficiently interested in it to want to study it for 3 or more years.
• Most unis will have places in Clearing, so don't think it's just limited to the crap unis or all ex-polys.
• Just because a course is in Clearing does not mean that it's a really bad course.
• Just because you're in Clearing does not mean you're a bad person or have failed! A lot of people go in Clearing with really high grades. I personally did it with AAB. Some people who applied for popular courses will even have higher grades. Equally, if you have lower grades, it doesn't mean that you won't find anywhere.

How do I enter Clearing?

If you missed your firm and insurance offers and they both rejected you

If you missed both your firm and insurance offers and Track is showing that you were Unsuccessful, then you don't need to do anything. Your Clearing number will show on Track. Start phoning around universities with your Clearing number - admissions tutors will be able to see your full application and might ask you to apply. If they do offer you a place, and if you want to take up that place then add it as a Clearing Choice on Track (note: adding a choice on Track will only be available in the evening of Results Day, you can add a Clearing choice before then by ringing up UCAS).

If you didn't have an insurance offer, then the above also applies to you if you missed your firm offer. However, if you didn't have an insurance place because you only originally applied to one university, you will need to pay an extra £10 since you will have paid the reduced fee of £9 with your original application.

If you missed your firm and insurance offers but either one decides to take you with lower grades then you cannot enter Clearing without first arranging to be Released (see below).

If you missed your firm and insurance offers but Track is still showing as Conditional then phone up your firm and/or insurance. If they tell you you're rejected and it isn't showing on Track then UCAS will be able to fasttrack your rejection so that you can enter Clearing ASAP. Similarly if your firm or insurance say they're still deciding ask them when you will know - they aren't supposed to keep you in suspense because it stops you from applying elsewhere through Clearing. If they drag their feet over making a decision then contact UCAS who will give them 24 hours to make up their mind.

If you're waiting for a rejection to show on Track you can still phone Clearing universities but they wont be able to access your application until you are officially in Clearing.

If you change your mind about your firm or insurance

If you no longer wish to go to your firm and/or insurance but you met the offer (or they're accepting you with lower grades) then you'll have to phone the universities concerned and beg them to release you. They'll probably want reasons, and they might not do it straight away. So do this asap so you don't miss out on the best places. Ideally, if you knew that this applied to you before results day then you will already have done it. Once your release has been processed, your Clearing number will show on Track. Start phoning around universities - with your Clearing number admissions tutors will be able to see your full application and might ask you to apply. If they do offer you a place, and if you want to take up that place then add it as a Clearing Choice on Track .

If you are not holding any offers

If you are not holding any offers, but did apply through UCAS before 30 June, you will have been entered into Clearing automatically: your Clearing number will be on Track from mid July. If you already have your exam results, you can contact universities and colleges about the possibility of a place as soon as your Clearing number and ‘Add Clearing Choice’ button appear on your Track ‘choices’ screen. If you are awaiting exam results, you should wait until you have these results before contacting universities and colleges. With your Clearing number admissions tutors will be able to see your full application and might ask you to apply. If they do offer you a place, and if you want to take up that place then add it as a Clearing Choice on Track. You may be in this position for a number of reasons: if you rejected all your offers; if you were unsuccessful in your applications; or if you changed your mind about the courses you applied to.

If you have not applied through UCAS yet, or applied after 30 June

If you apply through UCAS after 30 June then you'll only be going through Clearing. You need to complete a UCAS application as normal on the UCAS website including all of the usual things such as a personal statement and a reference. The only thing different is that you will not be able to choose 5 universities/courses to apply for. This will cost the usual £19 fee. Your Clearing number will show up on Track in mid July or as soon as your application has been processed by UCAS if submitted later than this. If you already have your exam results, you can contact universities and colleges about the possibility of a place as soon as your Clearing number and ‘Add Clearing Choice’ button appear on your Track ‘choices’ screen. If you are awaiting exam results, you should wait until you have these results before contacting universities and colleges. With your Clearing number admissions tutors will be able to see your full application and might ask you to apply. If they do offer you a place, and if you want to take up that place then add it as a Clearing Choice on Track.

When does Clearing start?

Clearing starts in July, but full vacancies lists are only really available on A Level results day, which is 19 August 2010. Scottish students receive their results earlier, so Scottish universities advertise vacancies from 5th August for anyone already holding their results.

If you know before this that you will be in Clearing, you can start looking for information and trying to decide where you want to go and contacting universities - however avoid contacting universities during the week of results coming out unless they specifically mention that it is OK. Unis may publish vacancy information on their website as soon as they've got it. This may potentially be from the start of results week.

Clearing will remain open until 20 September 2010.

How long does Clearing take?

Clearing officially is open until 25 October, although you have to have submitted a completed application by 20 September. However, most people won't take anything like that long. It depends how quickly you can make your mind up where you want to go. If you're absolutely certain which uni and course is right for you, you can get it done in a few days. But if you can't decide, you may want to take a bit longer. Many people wish to visit several universities, and they may have special open days set up to help with your choice.

Of course, if you entered Clearing by getting released from your firm or insurance choice then you will have to wait for the Universities to process this. In this case, Clearing may take longer for you.

I'm going on holiday on Results Day/soon after

In short, don't do it. I went to Reading Festival which is a week later, and I was all sorted by then but some of my friends weren't. Clearing doesn't officially finish until 25 October, but last year most of the Clearing places were taken up in the first week, and it is expected that this year (2010) could be even busier, so ideally you should make yourself available for Results Day and at least a week afterwards.

If you are on holiday, it will be hard to discuss things with the unis you're interested in. Be prepared for a huge phone bill! And how are you going to get your results in the first place?

Do I have to wait until my Clearing Number comes up on Track to apply?

Yes - but that doesn't mean you can't approach universities informally. Most of Clearing happens over the phone - it's only the last step that requires a Clearing number/'Add a Clearing Choice' button on Track. If you had to be released by either your firm or insurance, you will need to wait for confirmation that this has been done.

How many universities can I apply to?

You can approach as many unis as you like over the phone or by email - but you can only add one Clearing Choice on Track. Don't add a Clearing choice on Track before a university asks you to apply to them - if you do they may well just reject you (and until they reject you you can't apply anywhere else). Find out as much as you can before deciding where you want to spend the next 3 years of your life. Don't just pick the first one that shows any interest in you, because there's so much choice you can end up somewhere you'll be happy.

Where can I go to get advice?

People nearby

The most important place to look for advice is from people that know you. Talk to your parents, your teachers, and even your friends if they're not too busy panicking about their own situation.

UCAS

You can talk to UCAS by phoning 08871 468 0 468. This is just for queries about your application, or for general Clearing queries. They won't help you decide where to go or anything like that. They are running extended opening hours over the Clearing period which you can check here.

If you're really stuck for ideas about alternative courses, you could try the Stamford Test which is available on the UCAS website. This can suggest which areas of study might suit you: even if you've already done this test before, it may remind you of other ideas which you'd previously overlooked.

Learn Direct

Learn Direct can offer careers advice, and advise you on a wide range of courses in the UK. They can help you decide if uni is right for you, and tell you about other courses or possibilities. You can visit their website, phone them for free on 0800 100900, or fill in their contact form.

BBC One Life

The BBC has a lot of information on its website, such as this page. They also run an advice line, but currently the details for that are not available. You may hear adverts for their services on their radio stations, such as Radio 1.

TSR

Well, you've already found this page! But you can ask questions in the applications and UCAS forum or try the subject or university specific forum. Do think about where you're putting your question before posting it though: TSR gets very busy during the results period, and you'll receive a better response faster if you post in the right forum to begin with.

Do unis accept lower grades through Clearing?

Some will, but some won't. It depends on many factors, including the subjects you are offering, how many places are still available, or whether there are minimum subject requirements for a specific course. The only way you'll know for sure is by asking them or looking on their website. They may be willing to accept you with lower grades if you're enthusiastic about the course, or if you have relevant work experience etc, so make sure you really try to sell yourself when talking to the admissions tutor. This is why it helps to have a copy of your personal statement to hand.

unistats.com gives you some idea of the average UCAS points held by students on entry to specific courses and unis. Remember that grades achieved for subjects like General Studies will be included in these calculations, even if they weren't accepted as part of the uni's offer for that course.

Can I use Clearing if I want a deferred offer?

Yes, you can, although the unis generally expect to deal with applications for entry for the current year. Just make sure you tell the uni as soon as you contact them that you want to defer your place, and don't be surprised if they say no.

However, since you're taking a gap year anyway it might be better to reapply through UCAS in September. Then you'll have the choice of all unis and courses rather than just the limited selection in Clearing. You'll also have the advantage of knowing your grades when reapplying, so you can make informed choices.

So, I want to apply. What do I do now?

You shouldn't apply for a place in Clearing until a university asks you to (if you apply without being asked then in most cases you'll just get rejected). The first step in Clearing isn't applying - it's approaching universities by telephone and email, and before you start doing that you need to prepare:

The most important thing is not to rush. It's probably a good idea to talk things through with as many people as possible before deciding. You might want to go to university in Outer Mongolia, but that's no good if you're relying on your parents to drive you and your stuff there. But remember that in the end it is your decision: so if you're really sure Outer Mongolia is the right choice for you, go for it!

What kind of things should I say?

This is where your pen and paper come in handy. Make some notes on why a particular course and university interest you. Have a look at your personal statement (if appropriate) and jot a few ideas down from there if you think it might help an admissions tutor accept you. If you're applying for a different course through Clearing then put together a new personal statement for that subject to help you. If you have any notable achievements, then mention them. Have you done anything more recently that wasn't on your PS? Did you get any particularly good results? If a certain part of their course interests you and you've done any extra reading on it, then say so. There isn't any one thing that you can say to be accepted. If there was, and I wrote it here, then everyone would say it and it wouldn't work anyway. The best thing to do is show your passion. They want to know about you personally, so try to sell yourself as best you can.

How soon shall I contact them?

Don't rush to contact them, as you want to make a good first impression. Yes, Clearing places do go quickly but a few minutes to prepare yourself will help you more than hinder you. If they're the type of university that will offer places to the first people to contact them rather than those who want to go there most, do you really want to go there anyway?

Do phone as soon as you feel ready. But if you need to go home and have something to eat first then it will be fine. It's best to go home anyway, since someone else will probably pay the phone bill. Obviously, make sure you ask the bill payer's permission first.

How do I contact them, and what happens?

It is best to phone the university - and that means YOU phone them not your mum or your teacher. Keep your notes, your pen, and your UCAS personal ID handy. Eventually, you'll need your Clearing Number too, but don't worry if you haven't got it just yet. They will be very busy, so be prepared to wait. And if you contact them any other way, then they might not get back to you for a while.

At this stage, you might just get through to an advisor who will take a few details. Then after that, if your grades and experience match what they're looking for, you'll either get called back later by an admissions tutor or might have to call them back later. You'll have a chat which won't be that formal but remember you're trying to impress them rather than wanting to be their new best friend.

Some universities will have a form on their website to contact them, and if so it's a similar process. You fill in the form, and will get a reply later. This may be by email, so check your emails (including junk mail) carefully. Remember with webforms and emails though that it's easier to ignore a full inbox than a ringing phone - if you want to be at the front of the queue then the phone is always a better bet.

If you leave a mobile number, then try to keep your phone with you. Also remember that they may be leaving a voicemail, and comedy messages may not seem as funny to them.

Do I have to visit the unis I'm thinking of going to?

You'll probably be invited to an open day. It's a good idea to go, as you can meet the tutors and other applicants, and can see the uni. If you don't like it, then it's better to know before you've decided to spend the next 3 years of your life there. Even if you have already visited the unis when you first filled in your UCAS form, that was quite a while ago so it's a good idea to refresh your memory. You don't have to go, but you should have a really good reason if you don't.

• If it's too far then are you sure you'll cope with being that far away from home, and will you be able to get there when you start (and go home for holidays)?
• If you can't afford it then they may be able to help with travel costs, or your school might be able to help. It's also possible that other people from your school will be going, so you may be able to share transport.
• If you're too busy, then is whatever you're doing really more important than securing your future?

If I go through Clearing, will I have to live in a tent?

Only if you really want to. You could try taking a campervan and only paying car parking fees rather than accommodation fees though, as that would be better. Or I've always wanted to live on a houseboat...

But if you want more normal accommodation, you can have it. Some universities will guarantee accommodation for people who come through Clearing so it's worth asking about when you're talking to admissions staff. This can usually be found on their websites, or is the kind of thing that you should be asking at an Open Day. Any uni that cannot guarantee accommodation will still help you find somewhere to live. They'll provide lists of approved landlords, or details of private accommodation such as Unite as appropriate.

Also See

• Clearing - all the clearing related content on TSR in one place.
• Guide to Results Day
• After results day