What is Clearing?
Clearing offers you a chance to find a full time undergraduate course to start this September. Thousands of students find their university place in clearing every year, so you wouldn’t be alone in exploring your options.
When does Clearing open?
Clearing opens from the beginning of July each year. If you have your exam results you can apply straight away, however you might need to wait until A Level results day on Thursday 17 August 2023 to be able to apply. We advise you to research your course options early though so that you are prepared when A Level Results Day arrives.
If you're also waiting to receive GCSE results, then you may need to wait until GCSE results day on Thursday 24 August 2023 to apply.
When does Clearing end?
Clearing usually closes around the end of September or when the courses in Clearing are full.
How does Clearing work?
A university will publish a list of the courses which have places available to start in the coming September. As soon as you have your exam results, you can apply for the course either online (from July until mid August) or by calling the university's Clearing hotline which opens on A Level Results Day. Our hotline number is 0121 331 6777.
If you have the required exam results for the course, you can be made an offer in Clearing. Once you have been made an offer, you will receive an email from the university which explains what you need to do next to accept your offer and make arrangements for student finance or accommodation if you need it.
When do A Level Results come out?
A Level results day falls in August each year, in 2023, A Level results day will be on Thursday 17 August. You will usually have to go into your school or college to collect your grades – exact times and details will vary.
Before your school opens you can usually log on to UCAS Track to find out whether your status has changed and if you have met your offer, however this won’t give you any details about how many UCAS tariff points you have. If you call a University Clearing hotline, you will need to have your grades in order to get an offer for a place however you can call us before and we’ll be happy to advise you on your potential options.
Who can apply in Clearing?
There are many reasons why you might want to apply for university in Clearing.
- Your exam results are worse than you expected
- You decide to apply at the last minute
- You change your mind about the course you’ve already applied for
- Your exam results are better than you expected – this is known as Adjustment.
Other FAQs
What time does UCAS Track update on results day?
UCAS Track updates at 8am on A Level Results Day (Thursday 17 August). Some people think that it updates at midnight or early in the morning, but unfortunately this is a myth. You also won't be able to see your results or grades, it will just show you the status of your existing university offers.
UCAS Extra is a great way to apply to additional universities or different subjects after the initial UCAS deadline date of 25 January 2023 has passed. UCAS Extra is open from 23 February to 12 July 2023 but you'll need to make sure you're eligible! You can only apply to UCAS Extra if you have either received no offers from your original five choices or if you have changed your mind about the course/subject you wish to study and intend to decline all offers/choices you have. Find out more about UCAS Extra.
How do I find courses with places available in Clearing?
You can sign up to receive email notifications which will provide more detail about courses with places when available and the UCAS points you will need to apply. This can somethings change throughout the Clearing period.
When can I apply through Clearing?
You can apply as soon as you have your exam results. If you are a BTEC student or did your exams last year or before, you can apply online from the beginning of July. If you’re waiting for A Level Results, call our Clearing hotline (0121 331 6777) or contact us on social media.
Which universities have Clearing places?
Most universities offer Clearing to some extent, however the number of places and the variety of courses available will vary. We usually have a wide variety of courses available. Sign up to receive notifications when more details on our Clearing courses is available.
What happens after you get an offer?
If we are able to offer you a place, you’ll receive an email telling you what to do next to accept it. You’ll also get some more information with details of the important things you need to do before joining us in September – like online enrolment, accommodation and student finance.
Is it possible to apply through Clearing with an offer from another university?
Yes it is possible, but you will need to self-release first through UCAS. This process allows any applicant who already holds a place at university to release themselves into Clearing in order to apply elsewhere.
If a course is currently full, will places become available in Clearing later on?
If the course you’re interested in isn’t in Clearing at the moment, keep checking our course vacancy listing as sometimes things can change and a course that's not available now may become available later. Our Clearing course listing will be updated regularly from early July onwards, so you can check this as often as you like to keep up to speed with what’s available. See details of courses that are available.
How will I know which course is right for me?
Our Pre-entry Enquiries Team are here to help if you're not sure about which course would be right for you. Get in touch online or call to speak with an adviser on 0121 331 6295.
What should I do about Student Finance if I accept a place through Clearing?
If you’ve already applied for student finance but decided to change your course or university through Clearing or Adjustment, you need to let Student Finance know as soon as possible - you can do this through your online Student Finance account. If you haven’t yet applied for student finance and you need student loan funding, you should apply online as soon as possible. See details of how to apply.
My grades are lower than the grades required for the course I'm interested in. Can I still apply?
In general, if you have the potential to achieve grades that are higher than you have been predicted, we would certainly encourage you to make an application to us as we appreciate that predicted grades are not necessarily an absolute indication of what an applicant’s final grades will be. Admissions tutors may be prepared to consider predicted grades which are slightly below the minimum grades we typically look for in certain cases, so consider how you can demonstrate your other strengths within your application. All applications are considered on an individual basis.
Will you accept my qualifications?
Can I apply for deferred entry through Clearing?
Unfortunately it's not possible to apply for deferred entry through Clearing for our courses. The courses we recruit to during Clearing typically start this September (or the following January for some of our nursing courses).
Can I apply for a part time or postgraduate course through Clearing?
Clearing is only for full time undergraduate course applications. We have places available on our part time and postgraduate courses to start this Autumn – you’ll just need to apply online for these options. You’ll find the links from each course page.
Can international students apply through Clearing?
Yes! If you’re an international student who is looking to start a course with us this September, you may be able to get a place through Clearing.