Clearing is a chance to get a place on a course after the main UCAS application deadline has passed. If you’re successful, you’ll be able to start university this September.

Simply, it’s a matching scheme — helping students find the right course at the right place.

33,280 students secured their place at uni using Clearing in 2022 according to Prospects.

Almost all universities have a presence in Clearing, with thousands of places available across a huge range of courses.

Clearing officially opens on Wednesday 5 July 2023. Prospective students need to have already received their grades to apply, and so most Clearing activity takes place from A-level results day onwards (Thursday 17 August). If students have already applied, they can find out their application decisions from 8.00am on results day by checking through your UCAS Hub — and depending on their outcomes, Clearing can then become a real game-changer.

Why might you consider Clearing?

If you have already applied to university through UCAS, you will have the option to add a Clearing choice if you:

  • weren’t made any offers
  • declined your offers
  • didn’t meet the conditions of a conditional offer and haven’t been accepted by your firm or insurance choice university
  • applied after 30 June.

You might choose to apply through Clearing for a few reasons:

  • you want to change your subject choice
  • you decide to study closer to home or further away from home
  • you didn’t get the grades you were hoping for, or you got better grades than you expected
  • you have only recently decided to apply to university.

You can get a head start on Clearing by: