The Student Room Group

clearing?

Hi, quick question: Let's say on results day I receive good grades and get accepted into my firm university. If I wanted to attend another university, could I call them on results day for clearing to inquire if they have any available spaces in that course? If they do, could I then reject my 'firm' choice and proceed with the clearing process? Or do I need to already be in clearing and reject all my offers?
Original post by idklol1
Hi, quick question: Let's say on results day I receive good grades and get accepted into my firm university. If I wanted to attend another university, could I call them on results day for clearing to inquire if they have any available spaces in that course? If they do, could I then reject my 'firm' choice and proceed with the clearing process? Or do I need to already be in clearing and reject all my offers?

You can call them and make a general enquiry about the availability of your target course in Clearing, and the grade requirements, etc. However, you can't formally apply until you decline your firm place.

There's therefore the risk that the uni in Clearing, upon receipt of your application, opts not to accept you. This could be because they assumed you had particular GCSE grades, but you don't, or because they thought you were asking about course X not course Y, or because the course has filled-up by the time they receive your application etc.

People actually in Clearing (i.e. not holding a place) tend not to have these issues as they can provide the target uni with a Clearing number with which the uni can access their full UCAS application - so there should be no surprises.

So it can be done, but there's an associated risk.

Reply 2

In this situation, where you receive unexpectedly high grades, its far safer to reject your Firm, take a gap year and reapply to 5 new choices that you have researched/visited. There is always a very high drop out rate from Clearing applicants - usually because they panicked and/or just picked something/ anything that turned out to be entirely unsuitable. And - this is important - remember that you are not guaranteed any accommodation if you are a Clearing applicant.

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