Introduction to Clearing

TSR Wiki > University > Applying to University > Clearing > Introduction to clearing

What is clearing?

Clearing is a way for universities to fill any spaces they have. It gives applicants another chance of finding a university place, perhaps if they didn't get the grades they needed to get into their first choice university.

Clearing is still part of the UCAS process.

If you haven't met your offers, or have changed your mind, Clearing may be for you!

When does Clearing happen and for how long?

Clearing always starts on A-levels results day. In 2009, this will be Thursday 20 August. However, since Scottish students get their results earlier, Clearing starts on 6 August for Scottish universities.

Clearing runs until 21 September and this should provide plenty of time to find a place. An individual is only in Clearing until they are happy they have found somewhere; for many people this will take only a few days but for some will take a few weeks.

Courses are removed from Clearing as they get full. Inevitably the most popular courses will fill up very quickly and may have fewer spaces available during clearing than the less popular courses.

Can I go through Clearing?

Most people are eligible for Clearing if they have applied through UCAS for the coming academic year intake.

You are eligible for Clearing if you have applied in the current application year and if:

• you have not withdrawn your application;
• you hold no offers; or
• your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the conditions (eg you have not achieved the required grades); or
• you have declined your offers or not responded by the due date; or
• your offers have not been confirmed, and you have declined any alternative offers from the same university; or
• you have applied after 30 June (12 June for Route B art and design courses). If we received your application after these dates, we will not have sent it to any universities and colleges.

Where can I apply?

You can apply to any university and any course that has vacancies during Clearing. You don't have to apply for the same type of course that you applied for when making your original UCAS application. If you do change your subject choice then make sure the new course is right for you!

Universities such as Oxford, Cambridge, LSE and UCL don't usually enter Clearing because there is such a lot of competition to attend these universities in the first place. However most other universities will have some vacancies for some courses.

Where do I find vacancy information?

Each year the Independent newspaper publishes a full list of all Clearing vacancies. They publish the first guide on results day and continue to publish guides for a week. Other newspapers may have Clearing guides but they probably won't have a complete Clearing listing of all the courses available - they may only have regional guides.

The UCAS site will have Clearing vacancies on the course search and most universities will publish their own vacancies on their own websites.

You may also see some universities advertising in your local newspaper or on the TV.

How does Clearing work?

Universities see whether they have any vacancies on their courses. If they do, these courses enter Clearing.

Applicants read the list of vacancies, and if they wish to apply phone the university directly - not UCAS. During this conversation the university will ask about your grades and interest in the subject you are applying for. After this, the applicant will either be accepted, rejected or may also decide themselves to apply elsewhere. Clearing acceptances do happen quickly, and you will not have to wait as long for offers as when you first applied.

This is only a brief look into the Clearing process. For more information and detail see the Guide to Clearing.

Comments

Thanks to Juno for writing the original version of this article.