Ultimate Guide to UCAS Clearing 2025
This is your definitive guide to UCAS Clearing in 2025. Here you’ll learn everything you need to confidently navigate the UCAS Clearing process, whether you’ve missed your expected grades, exceeded expectations, or you’re applying to university late. If you’re hoping to start university in 2025, this guide will provide step-by-step guidance to help you secure your university place. Find out everything you need to know about UCAS Clearing in our ultimate guide below.
What is UCAS Clearing?#
UCAS Clearing is a service that helps universities fill any remaining places on their courses, while providing an opportunity for students without a confirmed place to find a course for the upcoming academic year.
The number of places available on each university course during Clearing depends on the success of applicants on results day. If an applicant should fail to achieve the required grades for their firm choice course, or if they choose to withdraw for other reasons, then that course place may become available through Clearing.
During Clearing, universities may alter entry requirements for course applicants. This means a student who has not achieved the required grades for their course may be able to apply again through Clearing.
Who is university Clearing for?#
You can use Clearing to find a place on a university course if you:
★ Didn’t get an offer via UCAS from your firm and insurance choices
★ Have changed your mind about the universities you have received offers from
★ Did not meet the conditions of your offers
★ Are starting your university application after 30 June 2025, or if you submitted your UCAS application late
★ Don’t want to accept the university offers you have received on UCAS
★ Have received higher grades than you had expected and want to reevaluate your options
Clearing is open to students with an undergraduate application who have achieved A-levels or equivalent qualifications. It is not limited to applicants living in England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. International students can also find a university course through Clearing.
It’s important that you don’t think of the Clearing process as a setback! Regardless of why you’re applying through Clearing, this is a great opportunity to find the right university and course for you. If you didn’t get the grades you were hoping for, Clearing offers you the flexibility to reexamine your options and find an option you’re happy with.
Here’s what one of our members had to say about their experience with Clearing:
“Initially, I had my sights set on the University of Greenwich, but due to a mix-up with my educational consultancy, I ended up needing to go through Clearing. I landed at Ulster University, which wasn't on my radar at all. The environment is so friendly, and the staff are really supportive. Plus, the area around the university is great, with lots of nice restaurants and cafes. Clearing led me to a place I hadn't considered, and it's been a really good fit for me!” Nafisa - Ulster University
When does UCAS Clearing open 2025?#
UK university Clearing is open from 5th July 2025 until 20th October 2025. This is when the UCAS search tool will be live, allowing you to start searching for available courses, even before you get your results. Students can complete their UCAS Clearing application in this time period to start university in 2025. Check the UCAS website for other key dates.
When are results days in 2025?#
A-level, AS-level and T Level results day is on Thursday 14th August 2025. You can receive your exam results by email, by post, or by visiting your school in person. If your results are not as you’d expected, visiting the school can be helpful for getting support and advice from your teachers.
The UCAS Hub will update around 8am on Thursday 14th August. Universities may take some time to update the UCAS system, so don’t worry if your option has not been confirmed straight away. If you have received the grades needed for your university choice, but the UCAS Hub has not updated, wait a couple of hours before calling the uni to check your place.
Once it has been updated, the application system will show you whether you have received a place from your firm-choice university. Your A-level results will not show up on the UCAS track system.
Depending on your qualifications, you may need to send proof of your results:
★ Most level-three qualifications (such as A-levels, BTEC, International Baccalaureate, and T Levels) are sent automatically
★ If you are applying to university with any of the listed qualifications on this UCAS page, you will need to send proof of qualifications to your provider and add your grades to the ‘Education’ section of your UCAS application
★ International and EU students hoping to study in the UK will need to send proof of results in certificate or transcript format to the education provider
Scottish Highers results day is on Tuesday 5th August 2025.
Other results days#
Some other qualifications, such as the International Baccalaureate (IB), release their results earlier, meaning students may be able to get started with the Clearing process in July, before A-level students get their results.
Preparing for Clearing before results day#
To make the Clearing process less stressful, it’s important that you have all of your documents ready before results day, so you’re not scrambling to find information when you’re trying to apply. Before you make a call to a Clearing hotline, have everything you need to hand so you can reference it in your conversation:
★UCAS ID: Your 10-digit UCAS ID is essential for all communications regarding your UCAS applications
★UCAS Clearing number: This is separate to your UCAS ID - you’ll be able to find it in UCAS Hub once you’re eligible for Clearing
★Exam results and grades: Have a physical or digital copy of your results to hand
★UCAS Tariff points: Some universities will refer to Tariff points, so once you have your results you should convert them into Tariff points
★Personal statement: While your original personal statement will be stored on UCAS, you may want to prepare a different version (or at least a draft), especially if you’re applying to different courses through Clearing
★Shortlist of contingency courses: Don’t wait until results day to start researching alternative courses. Be proactive and find five to ten backup courses and universities you’d consider, making a note of course contents, UCAS course codes, entry requirements, etc.
You may also find it useful to have a pen and paper handy to make any notes during the call. Try to take your calls in a quiet location so you can focus on what the admissions office is saying to you about your Clearing offers. Be prepared to ask questions about the courses available and have an open mind to the opportunities offered to you.
How does university Clearing work?#
Step 1: Confirm your Clearing status on UCAS Hub
Once you’ve got your grades on results day, you’ll need to log in to UCAS Hub to see if you’re eligible for Clearing. If you are eligible, you’ll see a message confirming this, along with your unique UCAS Clearing number – make a note of it as you’ll need it later.
Step 2: Discover the courses available through Clearing
You can use the UCAS Clearing search tool (as well as each university’s website) to find out which university courses still have places available. This course vacancy list will update throughout the Clearing time period (from 5th July 2025). Make sure to keep checking for updates, as courses are added and removed throughout the window. Note that individual university websites are often more up to date, so it’s well worth keeping an eye on the universities you’re interested in.
Step 3: Call the universities you are interested in applying for via Clearing
Before calling a university about Clearing places, make sure you’ve got all of your documents and information to hand (check the previous section for our recommended list). You will need to provide your UCAS ID and Clearing ID numbers so they can find your application online. Ask the advisor on the phone whether they would like to offer you a course place. Give some justifications as to why you would be a good candidate for the course – you may be asked to communicate why you’re a good fit for the course, what you’re hoping to get out of the course, or about your academic interests. Note down the universities which have given you permission to add the course as a Clearing option.
If you’re not sure how to call universities in the Clearing process, check each university’s website for their specific Clearing number (note that this is separate to their standard contact number).
Step 4: Decide on your final Clearing choice and add it to your application
Don’t feel pressured to accept the first offer – just like when you completed your initial UCAS application, you need to think carefully about the university’s location, the specific course and its contents, reviews from other students, and more. Take a moment to chat about your decision with your family, friends, or advisors. However, remember that Clearing places can fill up quickly, so aim to make a decision quickly (without being too hasty).
Once you have decided which course you would like to study, you will need to add your Clearing choice into the UCAS Hub. You can only add one choice at a time, but if your first Clearing choice does not confirm your place, you can add an alternative option.
Step 5: Add a Clearing choice on UCAS
So now you’ve made your decision, how do you add a Clearing choice on UCAS?
Once you have been granted permission from a university to add their course as your Clearing option, you will need to add this to UCAS Hub. In the UCAS Hub, select the ‘Your Choices’ section. When Clearing is open, a button will appear called ‘Add Clearing Choice’. This link takes you to a page where you can add the details of the course.
Step 6: Confirmation and beyond
Next you have to wait for the university to confirm your Clearing application choice. The option will appear as ‘Accepted’ once this is complete. If the university doesn’t accept your application, you can try again with another university.
Finally, you will receive a confirmation letter from UCAS; this means you have successfully received a place on the course you have applied for.
How do you use UCAS Clearing Plus?#
Now called ‘Clearing matches’, Clearing Plus is a system that suggests courses to students which they are eligible for, based on their exam results and your original application. When logged into your UCAS Hub application, click the ‘See matches’ button to view the courses UCAS recommends.
If you’ve previously used the UCAS search to find information on courses, this feature will look familiar to you; the results will display the key information about each course, such as the required UCAS Tariff points and course duration. Should you find a particular course through your Clearing matches that you’d like to apply for, follow the usual steps for Clearing.
You are not limited to the courses UCAS suggests to you through Clearing matches. Use these suggestions as a starting point (taking out some of the legwork for you), then look more widely at other options. If you want to expand your search, continue to use the UCAS Search Tool – there may be plenty of other great courses that weren’t shown in your Clearing matches.
How do you self-release into UCAS Clearing?#
Clearing isn’t just for students who don’t have a guaranteed university place on results day. If you have received an offer from a university and you have selected it as your firm choice, you can still change your mind and enter into Clearing. To ‘self-release’ into Clearing means you have declined your firm offer and need to apply through Clearing to be accepted onto another university course.
1. To self-release from your firm choice, follow these steps:
2. Log in to the UCAS Hub.
3. Next to your current firm choice, select the ‘Decline my place’ button and confirm your decision.
Search for alternative courses using the UCAS Clearing search tool.
Once you have declined your firm place, you cannot reverse the decision, and you are officially in Clearing. Think carefully about whether you want to give up your place on a course before declining it. We strongly recommend against self-releasing unless you have a verbal offer from another university that you definitely wish to accept.
Where can you find courses in Clearing?#
To explore the Clearing courses available for studying in 2025, you can use the UCAS Clearing search tool to explore all of the options. If you are set on studying at a specific university, you can check their website to find out which courses are open to Clearing applications.
The universities offering Clearing courses vary from year to year depending on how many students accept the courses they have applied for. This includes both large, prestigious universities and highly specialised ones. If lots of students fail to meet the requirements of a course, that university will list those places on Clearing. Equally, if students decide to defer their course place for next year, this opens up places for Clearing applicants.
To keep track of the universities offering Clearing places, make sure to check the UCAS Clearing search tool throughout results day to view your options. Course places may appear later in the day as students make decisions. As we mentioned earlier, it’s also well worth looking at each university’s website, as you may find places that aren’t yet widely advertised.
Conservatoires do not typically use UCAS Clearing to fill course places. This is because they require auditions and interviews to select their students.
Can you apply for a different course subject through Clearing?#
Yes, you can apply for a different type of course using UCAS Clearing. However, your personal statement on the UCAS Hub cannot be changed. When applying for a different subject, the university may ask you to directly send them an alternative personal statement, so you should be prepared to send a personal statement tailored to the new course.
If you are worried about your personal statement impacting your course offers during Clearing, contact the universities you are interested in and ask for their advice. It’s also worth asking if you’re unsure whether you’re suitable for a different course – the university’s admissions team can give you advice on whether you’re a good fit.
How do you know if a university Clearing option is worth it?#
It can be hard to judge if a course will meet your standards. One way to find out what previous students think about the course is to read reviews.
You can use StudentCrowd to read verified student reviews on courses, universities, student accommodation and even study locations. Reading about student experiences can help to shape your decision-making process. If you are torn between two course options, you can read reviews to compare student satisfaction and enjoyment.
You can also read about the graduate outcomes of that course or university. Try to view courses more relevant to your ideal career path. Most universities showcase their graduates' outcomes for each course, even sharing what job roles or organisations past students now work in.
Remember, your choice shouldn’t just be based on university rankings – you also want to find a university and course that aligns with your expectations, personality, and what you’re looking for out of university.
What happens if you don’t get onto a course through university Clearing?#
If you are unsuccessful in receiving a place on a university course you are passionate about, there are still other options for you! Here are just a few of your options:
★Resit qualifications: Consider which qualifications you may want to retake. If you were a couple of grades away from the entry requirements of your dream courses, ask your college or sixth form if you can retake that subject. If you are able to retake some exams and improve your results, you should have a wider choice of courses to choose from. However, this is a significant commitment, and choosing to do this requires motivation to study hard and push for higher grades.
★Take a gap year: If you are happy with your current grades, consider taking a year out to think about your options. Many students take a gap year between completing their A-levels and starting university. You can spend this time travelling, gaining work experience, and thinking about which university course is right for you.
★Foundation year courses: If you don’t want to retake any qualifications, you can instead take a foundation year to prepare yourself for university. These courses typically have lower entry requirements, and can serve as a stepping stone towards the courses you’re ultimately aiming for.
★Explore subject guides: However you spend your time before university, you may find it helpful to browse subject guides to explore your potential degree options. Once you have your grades, it can feel less daunting to look at courses as you can set a realistic expectation for what you are eligible for.
Usually if you apply for a course the following year with the grade requirements met, you are more likely to receive an unconditional offer. This can make starting university less stressful as you can prepare months in advance.
Can you apply to a university without using UCAS?#
Some universities in the UK allow students to apply for courses directly. This is called Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA). This option is often used by mature students or people who know exactly which university they want to apply for. However, note that not every university in the UK accepts applications in this format.
If you apply for university via RPA, your application cannot be directly passed on to another UK institution. For this reason, most students choose to apply through UCAS as it allows them to be flexible and open-minded with their application. If you’re 100% certain on the university you want to apply for (and aren’t interested in other options), RPA may be worth looking into.
Life after securing your Clearing place: Preparing for uni#
After accepting your ideal course offer through Clearing, you need to make sure you are prepared to start university. Holding an offer from a university does not mean you have everything sorted and ready to go!
Make sure you have checked off everything on this list:
★Book your student accommodation: Halls can fill up quickly during Clearing, so check the university-managed and private options available in your university city on StudentCrowd to get your accommodation sorted ASAP. You can even reserve your accommodation through StudentCrowd! If you’re not sure which accommodation type is right for you, take a look at our handy guide.
★Arrange your travel: Make sure you’ve organised your travel arrangements for moving in at the start of term, and remember you’ll probably have a lot of bags! This is especially important if you’re coming from overseas, or if you’re travelling a long distance.
★Apply for Student Finance: Once you know which course you’re taking, you can apply for Student Finance, as well as any loans or bursaries (if you need them). If you haven’t applied yet, do so as soon as possible. If you have an existing application, make sure you update it to reflect your new course, and any changes to your living arrangements, as this can affect how much you will receive. It only takes around 30 minutes to apply for student finance, including loans for tuition fees and your maintenance loan for living costs. All UK students can apply for student finance, so just make sure you apply for the correct country:
★Student Finance Northern Ireland
★Get a student bank account: Once your place is confirmed, you can apply for a student bank account to get benefits specific to students, such as interest-free overdrafts and other perks. Choose the bank you would like to open an account with and either apply online or visit the bank in person. You’ll need proof of student status (such as your acceptance letter), proof of address (e.g. a recent bank statement), and one or two forms of photo ID (e.g. your passport or driving licence).
★Calculate your budget: To make sure your money will last until your next maintenance loan payment, make sure you set a budget for the year.
★Pack your things: Check our guide on what to take to university for an overview of what you’ll need to take with you when moving in, making sure you’re prepared for move-in day.
Most universities have pages and group chats for their incoming students on social media. Once you have confirmed your halls of residence, try searching for groups so you can get ahead on meeting your flatmates or course mates.
If you are an international student coming to the UK, check out this article to find out what you need to do before starting your degree.
What do students think about Clearing?#
I applied here through clearing, as before I wasn’t sure whether or not I thought university was right for me. But I’m so glad I chose to apply. I’ve had an amazing time at Uclan. All of the staff are welcoming and if there are any issues they are solved efficiently. My experience has been more than I could have ever hoped for and I can’t wait to progress onto year two.
Verified student review of University of Central Lancashire (UCLan)
I came to NTU through clearing and have been pleasantly surprised with the standard of teaching, facilities and social aspect - all very good!
Verified student review of Nottingham Trent University (NTU)
I came here as a last minute choice after being offered a place. The clearing procedure was straight forward and the university so has been good.
Verified student review of Liverpool John Moores University (LJMU)
I came to Loughborough through clearing and knew nothing about the university when I applied. When the coach arrived in the university I knew I was going to love it here. The people were very nice and kind, and my lecturers were extremely welcoming. The vibe in the university with its open spaces and student-friendly town really made my experience a beautiful one.
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