Applying To Other Universities Without Using Extra or Clearing

I applied to five universities to do acting courses. I asked one of the universities to reject my application as I had second thoughts about it, but the other four universities all said yes. However, I don't like any of the universities now that I've been to all of them and done auditions.

Gloucester is not the Cheltenham-lite I thought it was, Chester has an air of roughness about it that makes me uncomfortable (despite how pretty the city is), Farnham is too small, and the course at the University of Chichester is actually taking place in Bognor Regis, a place I am reliably told is not very nice.

I was talking to my long-suffering counsellor about it the other day and she mentioned that her daughter was in a similar situation a few years ago, albeit for a different course. She had received an offer from the University of Sussex but wanted to go to Brighton instead, so she (directed by her mother) called up Brighton and explained the situation and they eventually offered her a place.

My counsellor suggested that I look up other universities with acting courses, call them up, explain my situation, and see what happens. While it sounds nice in theory there are some issues with that. I know I could use clearing or extra, but I'd have to reject the four offers I've got and if I choose the wrong university I'd be in an even worse situation than I'm already in. Leaving that aside, do clearing or extra (or my counsellor's solution) even work for acting courses?

As above - and if you actually want to be 'an actor', then Drama Schools are a far better option than an academic degree course. Take a gap-year, do some short courses at some of these drama schools, work on your audition performance, and reapply.

A second gap year and drama schools aren't an option for me I'm afraid.

I guess I'll just have to accept for offer from Chester.

have you considered:
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/8e69bd35-57d8-7804-2b89-bd979d56b3b1?academicYearId=2025 Bath Spa
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/e54326f6-8f56-a5b7-422d-afda6934ffc7?academicYearId=2025 Falmouth
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/72b0f191-8134-4760-b0a6-8c7616be7519?academicYearId=2025 NUA
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/7d3dcbfb-9d75-b757-c4e0-0f8a7e2cd85c?academicYearId=2025 St Mary's
https://digital.ucas.com/coursedisplay/courses/753f61fc-dd77-475d-9e7f-5d5c25dbc459?academicYearId=2025 Royal Holloway
It sounds like they might be a better fit for what you're looking for - and they're all showing as having vacancies for Extra applications.
There's no point in accepting an offer for a course/university that you don't like.

I'm going to call up Royal Holloway tomorrow - my uncle lives very near there and says it's a lovely place.

Hi there,
We're delighted that you're interested in learning more about Drama with Acting at Royal Holloway, University of London!
You can find out more about our course here: https://www.royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/2025/undergraduate/drama-theatre-and-dance/drama-with-acting/ including the entry requirements and course content.
Get answers to the questions that matter to you by chatting with our students and staff! You can chat to a current student to find out what life is really like at Royal Holloway: www.royalholloway.ac.uk/chat and sign up for more information about us here: https://royalholloway.ac.uk/studying-here/sign-up-for-more-information/
I hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Royal Holloway, University of London

I phoned up today but neither the admissions team or the creative help desk were able to answer my questions about the audition - if it's something you have knowledge on, do you know if an audition is even needed? No worries if you don't know, I've sent an email in so hopefully I get an answer soon.