Have you applied to university or are looking to apply this summer? Have you heard the term “clearing” before but aren’t sure exactly what it means? Don’t stress - we have compiled a short guide of everything you need to know to make the process a bit more straightforward.
What is Clearing?
Simply put, Clearing describes the process of universities and colleges filling the spaces that they have open on their courses.
Who can apply to Clearing?
Anyone who is not currently holding a place for a university or college can use clearing to apply for a course that still has availability. So, you would be eligible if:
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You have not yet applied to university (i.e. you are applying after 30th June).
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You have an offer from a university or college but on results day you do not meet the grade requirements for your firm (CF) or insurance (CI) choices.
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You did not receive any offers when you originally applied.
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You choose to decline the offer you are currently holding on your UCAS application.
You can check if you are in Clearing by checking your UCAS Tracked status. It will say “Clearing has started” or “You are in Clearing”.
Is Clearing for me?
Did you know that Clearing isn’t just about scrambling to find a new university if you didn’t meet the grade requirements? Of course, if you open the envelope and find that the grades are lower than anticipated, Clearing is a great option to find yourself a different course or a different university. However, don’t be tricked into thinking Clearing courses are just those that nobody wants. There are lots of great options available as universities will want to fill up their courses. This means lots of desirable courses are available via Clearing.
Clearing is also a perfect option if you were undecided about going to university and didn’t apply before the deadline. If you receive your results and you decide you do want to go to university, you can go through Clearing to find the right course for you.
If you have just missed out on the grade requirements for your course - this doesn’t automatically mean you will have to go through Clearing. Always check with your university after you have received your results. For example, if you need AAA and you have AAB, then your university may still accept you onto the course. If in doubt, give them a call. It could save you a world of stress.
When does Clearing open?
In 2025, Clearing starts on the 5th July and ends on 20th October.
While Clearing technically opens on 5th July, you can only use it from this date if you are applying for the first time after the UCAS deadline. If you have already applied, you are holding an offer and are waiting for your exam results then you will have to wait for results day to access the Clearing portal.
You will still be able to go through Clearing at this earlier stage but be warned there may not be a huge variety to choose from. If you don’t see the course you want, it may be worth waiting until A-Level Results are released since more places will be made available.
If on results day you do not meet the entry requirements for your firm or insurance choices or if you did not receive an offer from any of the institutions that you applied to then you will automatically be entered into clearing. You can also access Clearing if you choose to decline an offer you are currently holding.
The deadline for adding Clearing choices is 20th October 2025. It is strongly recommended that you try to go through the Clearing process as quickly as you can and don’t wait until this deadline date, as lots of the covetable spots tend to quickly fill up!
What do I need to do beforehand?
It’s worth getting prepared for Clearing in case you are unsure about your course or you aren’t confident in your grades. Since spots fill up quickly, you will want to have all of the necessary information at your fingertips. Check out our Clearing & Adjustment guide to get a more detailed look into the Clearing Admissions process and our Clearing, Admissions and Deferrals Video with advice from several universities.
Most importantly, don’t rush into a choice. Although you may not have a place guaranteed, you should take your time to research the university and course you are considering through Clearing before confirming your place. You will be able to find all of the Hotline Numbers and Clearing Website Links to lots of UK Universities with our Clearing Directory. Saying that, make sure you go into Clearing with an open mind - there may be a great course that is perfect for you that you hadn’t even considered beforehand. Lots of students get into university through Clearing and can’t imagine life any other way. It could be the best decision you make!
