Clearing and ucas

Quick question, do you have to apply before the deadline at the end of january to go through clearing? or can you go through clearing without applying before the deadline?

Reply 1

Clearing and Applications Advisor

Original post

by theguythatdoes

Quick question, do you have to apply before the deadline at the end of january to go through clearing? or can you go through clearing without applying before the deadline?

Clearing is part of UCAS so you need a full UCAS application to use clearing.
If you apply before the deadline then you would be able to use clearing in the summer if you end up without a place.
If you miss the deadline then 90%+ of courses remain open on UCAS for "late" applications from February-July. These are the same as pre-deadline applications, you apply to 5 courses and if you end up without a place in the summer then you are put into Clearing.

If you don't apply before the end of June then you can submit a full UCAS application and be placed straight into clearing at that point - but clearing is designed as a backup so if you can it is best to apply before the January deadline, and if you can't meet the January deadline then applying "late" in February or March will give you many more options than waiting for clearing in July/August

Reply 2

McGinger

Just be aware that not all courses will be in Clearing, or even available for any applications after January.
Its always better to apply before the January deadline.