UCAS Clearing FAQs: Your Essential Guide
This comprehensive FAQ guide demystifies the UCAS Clearing process for 2025. If you’re currently going through the UCAS application process and waiting for your results (or you’ve got them already), these UCAS Clearing FAQs are for you.
This guide provides clear, immediate answers to common questions, empowering you to navigate results day and secure your university place with confidence. We’ll cover what Clearing means for you, the details of how Clearing works on results day, and how to apply to university through Clearing.
What is UCAS Clearing?#
Clearing is the process universities use to fill available places on their courses, and students can use Clearing to apply for alternative courses if they don’t have a confirmed place at uni (or if they choose to reject their offers – see the questions about self-releasing for more info).
On results day, if you haven’t got a confirmed place on your chosen course, you can find another course through Clearing. The Clearing process is run by UCAS, meaning you’ll need to use UCAS Hub, but you’ll also need to contact universities directly to speak with their admissions departments.
Clearing isn’t just a last resort – many students find great universities or courses that they may not have previously considered, and some of the UK’s top universities offer places on their courses through Clearing.
How does UCAS Clearing work?#
The Clearing experience for a typical student will follow these main steps:
On results day, you will log in to UCAS Hub to check the status of your UCAS applications. UCAS Hub is essential for viewing and managing your applications.
If you haven’t been offered a place at university, your status will say ‘You've not been placed... You are now in Clearing’. Note that you can also become eligible for Clearing if you ‘self-release’ by rejecting your offers.
You can now browse alternative courses using the UCAS Clearing search tool.
Once you find a course you want to apply for, you can call the university’s admissions department and ask for a place on the course, explaining why you’re a good fit.
If they provide a verbal offer of a course place, you can add the course as a Clearing choice in UCAS Hub. Do not add a Clearing place unless you have a verbal offer.
The university can then accept your Clearing application, meaning you have a confirmed place on that course. If the university rejects your application for any reason, you can add another Clearing choice.
Who qualifies for UCAS Clearing and self-release?#
There are a few common ways to qualify for Clearing:
Missed grades: If you didn’t achieve the required grades for your firm and insurance offers, you will become eligible for Clearing (although note that universities may still accept your application in the event of a ‘near-miss’).
Late application: If you submitted your UCAS application after the application window closed, you will be entered into Clearing automatically.
No offers: If you didn’t receive any offers from universities, you will be placed into Clearing.
Self-release: Even if you have a confirmed place at university, you can choose to reject your firm and insurance offers, ‘self-releasing’ into Clearing. You can do this if you’ve changed your mind about your chosen university or course, or if you achieved better grades than expected and want to reassess your options. Do not self-release until you have a verbal offer from a university, as this decision is irreversible.
Are there specific considerations for international students in Clearing?#
Yes, international students have other requirements they need to meet, so it’s important to navigate the Clearing process quickly.
Depending on the university, course, and your country, you may need to do the following to secure your place:
- Apply for a student visa to live and study in the UK (and meet any relevant immigration requirements)
- Demonstrate English language proficiency via an assessment, such as IELTS or TOEFL
- Provide official transcripts or certificates for your qualifications
- Attend additional interviews with your university
Securing accommodation can be particularly challenging for international students, so start researching and applying as soon as possible to secure accommodation you’re happy with.
When is UCAS Clearing? Key dates to remember (2025)#
Clearing opened on 5th of July 2025, and the window will remain open for Clearing applications until Monday, 20th October 2025.
A-level and BTEC results day is on Thursday, 14th of August 2025.
Scottish results day is on Tuesday, 5th of August 2025.
Here’s a broad overview of the timeline for Clearing:
July: Initial Clearing vacancies will start to appear.
August: Most students will get their results, and most Clearing spaces will become available.
September/October: Final opportunities for applying through Clearing before the window closes.
How can you best utilise Clearing for optimal results?#
With preparation and a positive attitude, you can find your ideal university and course by applying through Clearing. While it’s natural to be disappointed, you need to be prepared to act quickly and decisively once you’re entered into Clearing (if you’re still set on going to university this year).
To get the best results out of the Clearing process, follow these tips:
Preparation is key: While you’re hoping to get the results you need for your firm offer, it doesn’t hurt to research other options you’d be interested in before results day. Create a shortlist and note down the course details. This means if you don’t get the results you need, you won’t be stressed and rushing to find a course on the day.
Be proactive and persistent: If you haven’t got a confirmed offer on results day, you need to take your destiny into your own hands and proactively contact the universities you’re interested in (you may even want to contact your original uni to see if they’ll accept you anyway). When talking to admissions departments you’ll need to sell yourself and highlight why they’d want you at their university. Don’t give up and keep trying – rejections aren’t the end of the world.
Stay calm and confident: While Clearing may feel overwhelming, try not to panic. There are plenty of options available to you, and your school/college can help you to decide on the next steps. When contacting university admissions teams, make sure you communicate calmly – having your shortlist and important info to hand will help with this.
How can you find Clearing vacancies?#
There are a few places to look for Clearing vacancies:
UCAS search tool: This is the official, primary source for finding available courses through UCAS
University websites: University-specific websites typically provide more detail about their available courses, and tend to be more up to date as it can take a while for updates to filter through to UCAS
StudentCrowd: Sites such as StudentCrowd allow you to assess your Clearing options by reading reviews from real students
Direct phone calls: To get a verbal offer from a university, you’ll need to call the university’s admissions department, who may also be able to suggest alternative courses
How should you shortlist courses for Clearing?#
These are the key factors to consider when shortlisting courses for your Clearing application:
Beyond the grades: While grade requirements will be a limiting factor, you should also think carefully about your career goals, your passions and interests, the course content, and learning methods for each option.
University experience: Think about whether each university offers what you’re looking for in terms of location, campus culture, student support, and clubs and societies.
Reviews and testimonials: Listen to authentic insights from students at each university. StudentCrowd collates reviews and ratings from real students for each university and course.
Of course, many of the same considerations will apply when applying to university normally and via Clearing. However, with greater time pressure on Clearing applications, a good shortlist will help you make a decision faster if you end up in Clearing.
What happens if you're placed in Clearing?#
When you check UCAS Hub on results day, your status will show whether you have a confirmed place at uni, or if you’ve been placed in Clearing. If you’ve been automatically entered into Clearing, this means you didn’t meet the requirements for your firm and insurance course choices.
Once you’ve been placed in Clearing, you can apply for other courses with available places (but note that you can only apply one at a time). At this point, you’ll need to research and decide on which course to apply for, then call the university admissions department to get a verbal offer, and add the course as a Clearing choice on UCAS Hub.
Of course, you don’t have to apply for another course through Clearing – you can take a gap year to decide what you want to do, or consider other options such as apprenticeship degrees or gaining work experience.
Can you decline an insurance offer to go through Clearing?#
Yes, you can decline your insurance offer to self-release into Clearing. If you do so, you won’t have a confirmed place at university. This action is irreversible, so you should only decline your insurance offer and self-release if you’ve received a verbal offer from another university.
If you’re not happy with your insurance offer, research other universities and courses first, then contact a university to enquire about a Clearing place, and be prepared to explain to them why you’re interested in the course. Once you have the verbal offer, you can choose to self-release and apply through Clearing.
How do you manage multiple offers via UCAS Hub?#
When you’ve spoken to university admissions departments and received one or more verbal offers, you can select one of them to add as a Clearing choice on UCAS Hub. You can only add one Clearing choice at a time, so start with your first choice. If the university doesn’t accept your Clearing application, you can add another choice. Once a university accepts your Clearing application, your place will be confirmed.
Can entry requirements change during Clearing?#
Yes, universities often lower entry requirements for courses during the Clearing period to fill remaining places. You may be able to apply for courses for which you didn’t originally meet the entry requirements.
However, this will vary depending on the university and the courses offered, so check the specific courses you’re interested in to verify which universities are lowering entry requirements.
What information do I need when calling universities during Clearing?#
Before calling Clearing hotlines and university admissions departments, make sure you’ve got important information and items to hand:
UCAS IDs: You’ll need your UCAS ID and Clearing number (this is separate to your UCAS ID, and can be found in UCAS Hub once you’re eligible for Clearing).
Your results: Make sure you’ve got either a physical or digital copy of your results, as universities will need to know your confirmed grades. You may also want to calculate your UCAS Tariff points.
Personal statement: Universities may ask for a new personal statement when applying through Clearing, so have a draft ready to tailor once you know which course you’re choosing. You can then quickly create an updated version for your Clearing application.
Pen and paper: You might need to take notes while making phone calls, so be ready to jot down any important info.
Devices and chargers: Make sure your devices are charged (or you have a charger nearby). You don’t want your devices dying on you as you try to make arrangements urgently!
Clearing choice shortlist: Have a list of the courses you’re interested in, including essential details such as full course titles and course codes. This will help to reduce stress during the process, as you can work through your options methodically.
When talking to admissions departments, try to communicate clearly and calmly, and don’t get discouraged if you don’t get the answer you want immediately. Make sure you ask them about specific course content that’s important to you, what support will be available to you both as a student, and the likelihood of finding accommodation (particularly if you’re set on on-campus halls).
Can I defer a place obtained through Clearing?#
Deferral is always up to the university’s discretion, especially when it comes to Clearing offers. This is because for universities, Clearing is about filling available places on their courses.
If you do want to defer your place obtained through Clearing, you’ll need to speak to the university’s admissions team before accepting the offer.
Does Clearing affect student loan applications?#
Yes, your student loan application needs to be adjusted after securing a university place through Clearing.
You need to update your Student Finance details to reflect your new university and course as soon as your place is confirmed, to ensure that your payments aren’t delayed. To do so, follow these steps:
1. Log in to your Student Finance account.
2. Navigate to your current application and select ‘Change your application’.
3. Enter the details of your new course.
4. Update the details of your living situation (once you’ve arranged your accommodation).
5. Submit your application to send it for processing – this can take a few weeks, so act fast.
Does Clearing affect the accommodation application process?#
Yes, you need to find your university accommodation quickly after securing your place.
Some universities guarantee accommodation to students applying through Clearing, so check with your university. When going through Clearing, you may need to be open to private halls or rentals, as popular university halls fill up quickly. Use our accommodation listings to research the different options, then reserve your room as soon as possible.
What do I do if I have an issue with Clearing?#
Here are some of the common issues you may encounter, and what to do about them:
Your application status hasn’t updated: For students waiting in limbo who don’t know if they’ve been accepted or rejected, you have a few options. You can contact the university directly to enquire about your application status, start researching options for Clearing while you wait, or consider self-releasing so you can apply for another course.
Issues with hotlines: Phone lines will be busy on results day, including official UCAS hotlines. Try calling at different times, and make use of the other channels available to you, including university-specific contact numbers.
Results are delayed: If your results are delayed, get in touch with your school or college for an update on your pending grades. If the delay is due to an exam board, you can reach out to them directly. Let the university know about the delay (and include your UCAS ID in your email), as they may be able to hold your place while you wait for results.
Feeling overwhelmed or disheartened: Results day and the Clearing process won’t always be smooth sailing, but you’re not alone. If you need support, speak to the advisors at your school or college, discuss your options with friends and family, or call university helplines for advice.
What do I do next after accepting a Clearing offer?#
Once you’ve accepted an offer through Clearing, there are a few things you need to do next:
Find student accommodation: First up, you need to arrange your student accommodation – it’s important to be proactive as the most popular options will be snapped up quickly. We recommend using StudentCrowd’s tool to compare the options available at your uni, then reserving a room as soon as you’ve made a decision.
Update your student finance details: You need to update your student loan application after Clearing, as the loans and bursaries you’ll receive through Student Finance are dependent on your course and university. Make sure you update your details to ensure you get the correct payments.
Get ready to move in: Finally, sort out your travel arrangements and start packing your bags (and optionally make the customary trip to Ikea) so you’re prepared for move-in day. Check out our handy packing guide if you’re not sure what you’ll need.
Once you’ve done these things, you’re pretty much ready to start your university experience!
Customising your university decision strategy#
Clearing is a perfectly valid path to university and a successful career – many of our members have gone on to have amazing university experiences at universities they may not have originally considered.
However, you shouldn’t just go into Clearing blindly, as this may result in you making a panicked decision on results day. With the right preparation and mindset, Clearing is a fantastic opportunity for finding the right university course for you – not just a last resort.
Hopefully, these UCAS Clearing FAQs have left you feeling better prepared for the Clearing process. If you’re looking for more information on Clearing, our Ultimate Guide to Clearing 2025 is a great place to start.
Whether you end up at your first choice of university or find another option through Clearing, you’re at the start of an exciting adventure. Best of luck!
