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clearing 2024 and accommodation etc

hey guys, would someone be willing to explain the process of clearing to me pretty much as a complete beginner? i think i probably will get the grades needed for my firm, but although i have filled it in this way on ucas i am not entirely convinced that is where i want to go, so i may end up doing clearing voluntarily...i would definitely want to go into this knowing what i'm letting myself in for and it seems really rushed and super stressful on results day! it'd be for modern languages if i did end up going for it, pretty much all i know is you have to decline your firm offer and THEN call the other unis and ask if they have spaces on X course? for me that seems pretty risky but if i decide i don't want to go to my firm i'd like to be in the know about how to do it with as little stress as possible :smile:

thank you sm x

Reply 1

user488949439

You are right you cannot get a clearing offer whilst holding a place elsewhere so would have to give it up before applying. Whilst it sounds extremely risky and you could up without a place anywhere it isnt as risky as it looks especially for languages which arent particularly in demand.

Basically a course goes into clearing because it hasnt been filled already and universities are looking to fill those spare places. Languages arent in demand or havent been in recent years so places are unlikely to be filled if you phone early.

The main problem is accommodation. Firstly you need to check what pulling out of accommodation at your current university will cost. If you have agreed accommodation you have entered into a contract and could be liable for all or some of the chares if you dont take it up. Secondly there might not be places available at your new university and clearing students are at the bottom of the pile. Most places will be gone and you will be placed with whatever is left.

In recent years there has been problems with accommodation in some universities. Some will offer guaranteed accommodation if you apply before a certain date. In other cities there is a shortage of accommodation and you might need to live some distance away. One prime example is Bristol where clearing students were housed in Newport 31 miles away. This is something you need to check out if you wish to use clearing ideally before results day.