UCAS Clearing 2022

Clearing is the opportunity to find a place on another UK university course if you don't have a confirmed place or chose to decline a place. If you are eligible:

• On results day, log in to UCAS Track to see if you are eligible for Clearing - if so you will have a Clearing number
• The UCAS website will list all available Clearing course spaces across the UK
• Before calling universities, ensure you have your supporting documents ready and are prepared to complete a potential interview
• You can speak to as many UK universities as you want during Clearing and don’t have to accept the first offer you get

Clearing begins in July each year.

It is important to remember that not all UK universities take part in Clearing, and not every type of course or subject has places available.

Elite universities in the UK such as University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and University of St Andrews will not have any available spaces for students because they are already oversubscribed. Similarly, competitive subjects such as Medicine rarely have any spots left at this time of year due to demand.

Clearing is how UK universities fill up the available space on programmes beginning from September that year. There is generally room available on almost all subjects and course types, but better programmes will fill up fast.

A-Level results day and beginning the Clearing process can be extremely stressful, so make sure you begin your research on other possible outcomes before the big day arrives. Being prepared for all possible eventualities will help you make decisions with a clearer head once the Clearing process begins.

There are lots of available courses, so it’s a good idea to have a shortlist of courses and universities you’d like to apply to.

Many UK universities will consider applicants who have achieved slightly lower grades than standard entry requirements during Clearing, while pathway and foundation courses are also options for students who are looking to enrol at a specific university. Universities do this because:

• You missed out by just one grade
• A grade you missed out on was not relevant to the degree you will study
• The university needs to fill up places on the course

Depending on the course, country specific qualifications will also be considered.

If you surpassed the grades you were expected to receive on results day, then you can also enter Clearing to look for a better university or course which suits you more.

Most typically, clearing is used by students who applied after the final deadline, students whose exam results fell short of their conditional offer, students who received no offers, or chose not to accept any offers and students who accepted an offer but changed their mind about the course they want to study.

Clearing services are available from July to October each year. Important dates include:

• 30th June – Final UCAS deadline to submit an application to a UK university
• 5th July – When Clearing vacancies went live on the UCAS Search tool
• 18th August – A-Level results day
• 28th September – The last date you can submit applications to 2022 entry courses
• 18th October – The final date for applicants to add 2022 Clearing choices and for uni’s/colleges to make decisions

Educational consultants such as SI-UK offer free counselling on the application process during Clearing.

Application during Clearing will depend on the university you are applying to. If you are using educational consultants to help you with application, you will get an estimate on how long you have to wait.

Due to high demand and competitve entry requirements, Medicine programmes are not available during the Clearing process.

Yes. If you haven’t applied yet, there is still time to submit your application between July and October.

Yes If you haven’t received any offers yet, there is still time to submit your application between July and October.

Yes, If you changed your mind and don’t want to go ahead with the offer you received, there is still time to submit your application between July and October.

Prepare yourself before the call by checking the internet connection, choose a quiet room to limit any distractions, and prepare a notepad or laptop to make notes of the call.

Here are a few of the popular questions universities can ask in clearing. 
Why do you want to take this course?

• What do you enjoy about learning?
• How do you cope with challenging situations and people?
• What is your experience of being part of a team?
• How do you motivate yourself, and deal with stress?
• What would you like to do after you graduate?

You can only apply for one course at a time through Clearing.

Your personal consultant will go through the Clearing list with you, discussing subject options and university locations.

Once we have established which courses and universities you are interested in, your consultant will contact institutions on your behalf to find out if they are interested in accepting you as a student.

After we have contacted universities on your behalf, you may be informally offered a place at a number of institutions. If you are unfamiliar with the university, research the institution, area and accommodation options.

If you decide to accept an offer, you will need to enter your Clearing choice through UCAS. You can only enter one Clearing choice at a time, but if the university doesn't confirm your place you can add another.