UCAS Clearing 2024

The clearing is the opportunity to find a place on another UK university course if you don't have a confirmed place or choose 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 opens in July 2024.

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

Elite universities in the UK, such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and University of St Andrews, will not have any available spaces for students because they have 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 of that year. Generally, room is available for almost all subjects and course types, but better programmes will fill up quickly.

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. Preparing for all possible eventualities will help you make decisions with a clearer head once the Clearing process begins. There are many 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 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, you can also enter Clearing to find a better university or course that suits you.

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.

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 use educational consultants to help you with the application, they will give you an estimate of how long you must wait.

Due to high demand and competitive entry requirements, medicine programmes are unavailable during the Clearing process.

Yes. If you haven’t applied yet, you can still submit it between July and October.

Yes, if you haven’t received any offers yet, you can still submit your application between July and October.

Yes, if you change your mind and don’t want to proceed with the offer you received, you can still submit your application between July and October.

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

Here are some popular questions universities can ask in the 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 consultant will review 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 contacting universities on your behalf, you may be informally offered a place at several 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 add another if the university doesn't confirm your place.