UCAS Clearing

Could someone explain to me how clearing works? Do you have to apply to universities through ucas before the january deadline to go through to clearing? Do you have to submit your application with personal statements and teacher reference or can you just ring universities on results day with just results?

Reply 1

DataVenia

Volunteer Team, Clearing and Applications Advisor

21

Original post by theguythatdoes

Could someone explain to me how clearing works? Do you have to apply to universities through ucas before the january deadline to go through to clearing?

It's fairly simple really. If you find yourself without a place (because you received no offers, missed your offer requirements, or declined a place), then you contact unis (any unis - not just the ones you originally applied to) to establish whether they'd make you an offer if you were to apply via Clearing. For this, you need your actual grades - so the earliest you can so this is normally A level results day. You might receive several informal offers this way, which each have a limited lifespan (perhaps 24 hours). You then add just one to UCAS Hub as your Clearing choice. It's only at this point that they get to see your full application. Assuming everything is in order, they confirm your place. :smile:

Original post by theguythatdoes

Do you have to submit your application with personal statements and teacher reference or can you just ring universities on results day with just results?

You need a full and complete application in order to be able to formally apply via Clearing. You can talk to unis without this, and they might make you an informal offer, but you can't apply via Clearing formally without a complete UCAS application.

Reply 2

McGinger

20

Clearing has effectively finished for this year,
It officially closes on 21 Oct - but all places worth having will have gone weeks ago.

Reply 3

theguythatdoes

OP

9

Original post by DataVenia

It's fairly simple really. If you find yourself without a place (because you received no offers, missed your offer requirements, or declined a place), then you contact unis (any unis - not just the ones you originally applied to) to establish whether they'd make you an offer if you were to apply via Clearing. For this, you need your actual grades - so the earliest you can so this is normally A level results day. You might receive several informal offers this way, which each have a limited lifespan (perhaps 24 hours). You then add just one to UCAS Hub as your Clearing choice. It's only at this point that they get to see your full application. Assuming everything is in order, they confirm your place. :smile:

You need a full and complete application in order to be able to formally apply via Clearing. You can talk to unis without this, and they might make you an informal offer, but you can't apply via Clearing formally without a complete UCAS application.

Thanks so much :smile:

Reply 4

University of Salford Student Rep

Official Rep

10

Original post by theguythatdoes

Could someone explain to me how clearing works? Do you have to apply to universities through ucas before the january deadline to go through to clearing? Do you have to submit your application with personal statements and teacher reference or can you just ring universities on results day with just results?

Hi @theguythatdoes

This is a great question, and one I actually asked myself as I transferred universities and came to study at the Uni of Salford via clearing. I am a current final-year student studying Theatre and Performance Practice.

So as mentioned above clearing officially closes on 21st October this year, but a lot of universities will have filled all the spaces for their courses already. However, it is worth having a look in case you are looking for a course with a January 2025 entry start date.

I thought you might find this link helpful in case you do decide to apply via clearing in the future:

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing

You don’t need to have a UCAS application to apply through clearing as most universities will allow you to apply directly through them, you can always check on their websites or with them directly.

However, it sounds like you haven’t had your level 3 results yet – am I right in assuming that?

If so, it is totally up to you if you apply for university in the initial cycle (UCAS deadline is 29th January 2025 for the majority of undergraduate courses, but it is always worth double checking as courses like medicine can have earlier deadlines). If you do decide to apply your college or sixth form will usually be able to help, but you may also find the link below helpful:

https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/filling-your-ucas-undergraduate-application

If you do decide to apply to university it is very possible you won’t need to use clearing if you get the results you need for the course at your chosen universities.

If you are considering going to university, I would recommend attending Open Days at the universities you’re interested in, this is because they are a fantastic opportunity to:

•

Meet academic staff and find out more about your chosen course.

•

Meet fellow students and get an insight into student life at that particular university

•

Speak to other departments such as student support.

•

Have a campus tour and view the course facilities

•

Explore local accommodation options.

Some universities, such as Salford, offer a small travel reimbursement following an open day, as we appreciate that it can begin adding up if you attend several open days.

I hope that helps a little. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any further questions.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do next!

Lucy 😊
(Official University of Salford Student Rep)

(edited 1 week ago)

Reply 5

theguythatdoes

OP

9

Original post by University of Salford Student Rep

Hi @theguythatdoes

This is a great question, and one I actually asked myself as I transferred universities and came to study at the Uni of Salford via clearing. I am a current final-year student studying Theatre and Performance Practice.
So as mentioned above clearing officially closes on 21st October this year, but a lot of universities will have filled all the spaces for their courses already. However, it is worth having a look in case you are looking for a course with a January 2025 entry start date.
I thought you might find this link helpful in case you do decide to apply via clearing in the future:
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/clearing-and-results-day/what-clearing
You don’t need to have a UCAS application to apply through clearing as most universities will allow you to apply directly through them, you can always check on their websites or with them directly.
However, it sounds like you haven’t had your level 3 results yet – am I right in assuming that?
If so, it is totally up to you if you apply for university in the initial cycle (UCAS deadline is 29th January 2025 for the majority of undergraduate courses, but it is always worth double checking as courses like medicine can have earlier deadlines). If you do decide to apply your college or sixth form will usually be able to help, but you may also find the link below helpful:
https://www.ucas.com/undergraduate/applying-university/filling-your-ucas-undergraduate-application
If you do decide to apply to university it is very possible you won’t need to use clearing if you get the results you need for the course at your chosen universities.
If you are considering going to university, I would recommend attending Open Days at the universities you’re interested in, this is because they are a fantastic opportunity to:

•

Meet academic staff and find out more about your chosen course.

•

Meet fellow students and get an insight into student life at that particular university

•

Speak to other departments such as student support.

•

Have a campus tour and view the course facilities

•

Explore local accommodation options.

Some universities, such as Salford, offer a small travel reimbursement following an open day, as we appreciate that it can begin adding up if you attend several open days.
I hope that helps a little. Please don’t hesitate to let me know if you have any further questions.

Best of luck with whatever you decide to do next!

Lucy 😊
(Official University of Salford Student Rep)

Thanks. I'm currently a Year 13 student doing my final year of A-levels. My predicted grades aren't up to par with my expectations and I'm confident that I can do much better come May. I've heard a lot about clearing but never knew much about it until I was recommended by a friend.

UCAS Clearing

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