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Your Guide to Clearing 2022 

It’s the time you’ve been waiting for! The results of your hard work will be rolling in soon.

So with Clearing up next, are you trying to wrap your head around the whole process? 

Well, don’t worry! We’ve created this guide just for you, to guide you along the process! 

What is Clearing? 

Clearing is the process where university applicants get matched with undergraduate courses that are yet to be filled. It’s for students who are applying to an undergraduate course and currently do not hold any offers from any universities. 

You’re qualified to use Clearing if: 

 - You did not get an offer from either your firm or insurance university choices

 - You change your mind about the universities you have offers from

 - Your results do not match the requirements of your offer

 - You are applying after 30th June

 - You don’t want to accept any of your offers: you’ll have to self-release into Clearing

 - You have achieved higher grades than your predicted grades and want to ‘adjust’ your choice: you must use UCAS Adjustment for this

Clearing is open to anyone with an A-Level or equivalent qualifications. There is no age limit and both domestic and international students will use this for UK university applications. 

For international students, if you do not find your equivalent qualification in the drop down section in your application, choose ‘other’ and manually type in your qualification. 

 

When does Clearing open? 

UCAS Clearing starts on the 5th July and closes on 18th October. Although, you can’t start the process until you receive your results. 

 

Results day 2022

The International Baccalaureate results day takes place on 6th July 2022. The SQA results day is on 9th August 2022. The A-Level results day is on 18th August 2022

Make a note of the dates that are applicable to you, as these will be the dates you get your results and find out if you have secured a place on your chosen course at your chosen university. If you’ve applied directly into Clearing, this will be the date where you can be allocated a place on a course. 

 

How am I going to make a decision? Get an answer directly from students! 

It can be really stressful and anxious to make such a significant decision in a short amount of time. But you can help yourself out by being prepared and planned before your results day.   

Here at StudentCrowd, we’ve got you covered! 

There are a vast amount of things to research into: the type of course, campus facilities, university life and a whole lot more! 

We believe one of the most important resources you can use are student reviews. What better way to gain an insight into a specific university than hearing from students who are already there? You can find student reviews for every university, down to course and accommodation, by searching for the university here

We publish our StudentCrowd Best UK University Awards every summer which showcase the universities with the best student experience, in areas such as best teaching quality, best clubs and societies, best value for money and many more! 

Find our University Awards 2022 here.

Got here through clearing, couldn't be more pleased! It is the perfect combination of being a genuine campus, but is right next to the centre of a major city.

 - Student at University of Leeds 

I got here through clearing and I believe it was destiny. There are an endless amount of clubs and societies which allow everyone to feel part of a community. Amazing.

 - Student at Lancaster University

Fantastic uni. Got in through clearing and it's the best thing that's ever happened to me.

- Student at University of Chester

How much is university going to cost? 

Another major factor to consider is the cost. University is costly and the cost of accommodation alone can use up to 73% of the maximum cash available for student loans. If you have some different options of where you’d like to study, this is one area of research that will really pay to do now. It tends to be more costly to live in large cities such as London and Birmingham than smaller towns.  We’ve got an article on the Cheapest UK cities for student accommodation which uses our data on pricing of student accommodation across the whole country.

 

So how do I use Clearing? 

Clearing operates on a first-come, first-served basis, so it is very important to have everything planned before the day comes. Make a note of the list of universities you will consider and may be interested in, the course you’d like to apply for and the Clearing number of the university. You’ll find the Clearing number on the top left hand corner of the Track homepage. 

Here’s a checklist of the things you’ll need: 

 - Your UCAS number

 - Clearing number (found on your UCAS Track account)

 - A-Level (or equivalent) and GCSE results

If you’re going through Clearing via the telephone, make sure you have your UCAS number ready. You can call UCAS if you’d like to amend anything on your application. You will have to speak directly with them, as UCAS takes security very seriously. The UCAS hotline is ​​0371 468 0 468. And if you’re calling from outside the UK, the UCAS hotline is  +44 330 3330 230. 

Here are some tips for Clearing phone call: 

 - Try not to be away when the lines open, prioritise and plan ahead

 - Make sure you know your UCAS ID and Clearing ID, this is crucial

 - If possible, know the UCAS code of your desired course or the name of your desired course

 - Be prepared to ask questions

 - Find a quiet space to talk on the call

 - Be open minded

 

What needs to be done after Clearing? 

Once you have accepted an offer through Clearing, it’s time to consider accommodation. Would you prefer university-managed halls for the first year? Would you prefer self-catered? Would you prefer to have an en-suite? 

Don’t fret if you don’t know where to start, we explained all the options available to you in this article! You can also check out all the reviews on student accommodation, searching by city here. All you have to do is type your university name in the search box and accommodation options will appear. It’s really that easy! We list every single accommodation option for universities all over the country with the latest pricing info, as well as review information from students who have actually stayed there. We’ve got all the accommodation info you’ll ever need!

A lot of universities have a group chat function on social media, so once you have your accommodation confirmed, join those group chats and find like-minded individuals! You might even find your flatmate in those group chats! 

Not sure how to make the most out of your student accommodation? We’ve got all the info covered here

 

What do you need to do after Clearing as an international student? 

Once you have accepted an offer, you will have to start applying for a student visa. It is best to start early as it can take a while to process and you will need it upon entry into the UK. 

What you’ll need: 

 - Evidence that you have accepted an unconditional offer on a course with a licensed student sponsor. The sponsor will then issue you a document named Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) with your unique reference number.

 - An English test certificate, if needed.

 - Proof of finance that you can afford to study and live in the UK, if needed.

Bear in mind that your visa application and English tests might take time to process. Some countries have a fast track option for an extra fee. 

 

We know it’s a big change but being well-prepared will help you to embrace it and enjoy it as much as possible! Remember, everyone heading to uni this year is in the same boat as you and any student will tell you time flies when you’re at university. Make sure to get involved in everything you like the sound of!

FAQ on Clearing as an international student: 

What is a licensed student sponsor?

A licensed student sponsor is an education provider that can sponsor a space for an international student to study in the UK. 

What do you mean by English test certificate?

An English test certificate is proof of your English language proficiency. Most common acceptable English tests are IELTS, TOEFL and Cambridge English C1/C2. Please check with your individual university on what English test they accept. 

How much do I need to have in the bank for proof of finance for studying and living in the UK?

If you haven’t travelled to the UK yet, or have been in the UK for less than a year, you must demonstrate that you have enough money to fund the full amount of tuition for one year on your course. 

 

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