What is University Clearing and How Does It Work?

Didn’t get an offer from any of your university choices? You’re not alone. With competition high, plenty of students find themselves in the same boat. That’s exactly where clearing steps in. It’s a second chance to find a course that’s right for you, and thousands of students secure a uni place this way every year. Read on to find out how clearing works and how to apply.

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What is UCAS clearing?

Clearing is a process by UCAS that allows universities to fill spaces on courses that haven’t been filled. This gives students without offers a chance to still pursue higher education. It’s also a great option if you change your mind about your choice of university or course. Clearing courses are usually released on exam results day, giving students an equal chance to grab a remaining spot on an alternative course.

The main benefit of a UCAS clearing placement is that you’ll still be able to head off to university. It may not be your first choice, but it could work out better than the course you originally chose. After looking at the different course details, you might also find that you want to do something different. There is often a lot of choice available, giving you access to many different opportunities through clearing.

How does clearing work?

UCAS clearing works by matching those who want a university place with universities that have unfilled places. You can use university clearing if you:

• Didn’t get the required grades or UCAS points for your accepted offer.
• Don’t want the places you’ve been offered (you will need to use Self-Release to enter clearing).
• Didn’t receive any offers when you first applied (or didn’t want to accept the offers you received).
• Are applying after 30th June.

Be aware that there may be an additional cost of £6 to apply to a course through clearing. This applies if you originally received the reduced £20 fee for applying to just one course. If you paid £26 to apply to multiple placements, you may not need to pay the fee.

When is clearing?

Clearing runs from July to October each year. The exact dates vary every year; however, if you are applying after the 30th of June, then you can only apply through clearing. On the other hand, if you don’t receive any offers from your chosen universities or fail to meet the conditions of your offer, you will automatically be entered into UCAS clearing. You may also want to enter clearing if you received better exam results, or weren’t sure about the universities you accepted an offer from. You can do this by Self-Release. Whatever your reason for going through university clearing, you can’t apply until you have your exam results.

When does clearing open in 2025?

UCAS clearing 2025 officially opens on Saturday, 5 July 2025. That’s when you’ll start to see which courses still have places, even before exam results arrive.

When does clearing end in 2025?

The deadline for adding a course choice via UCAS clearing is Monday, 20 October 2025. After that, you won’t be able to add clearing applications. While the system technically remains open until then, most clearing places will fill up much earlier, so it’s best to act sooner rather than later.

What time does clearing open on results day?

On Thursday, 14 August 2025 (A‑Level and equivalent results day), UCAS Hub unlocks at 08:00 AM, UK time, letting you check your status. If you’re eligible for clearing, you’ll be able to see courses and your clearing number almost immediately. From 13:00, you can officially add a clearing choice in your Hub. However, universities usually start taking calls from around 8 AM, so have your phone and clearing ID at the ready.

How to apply through clearing  

Whether you are automatically enrolled in university clearing or you choose to go through the process via Self-Release, as soon as you get your results, you need to start the process. Even if you are automatically enrolled in clearing, it is still up to you to find suitable vacancies. Here’s how to apply to universities through UCAS clearing:

1. Search for vacancies

Head over to the UCAS search tool to see what 2025 clearing courses are available. Look for places in your chosen subject and make a note of the places you are interested in. The clearing placements should have contact details included for the university, so don’t forget to jot those down too.

When you’re searching for vacancies, make sure you read through what the course entails. Do your own research into the university to see if it’s a good fit for you. Choosing the right uni clearing option is essential. You should never apply to a vacancy without first carrying out research to check it’s somewhere you’d like to go – remember you’ll be living and studying here for three years.

For some applicants, the search is even easier. If your applications have been unsuccessful or you are applying for the first time through clearing, you will have access to Clearing Plus. Clearing Plus matches you to available courses and unis. If you’re eligible, there will be a button on your application that says “see matches”; there will be up to 50. You can select “interested” on these matches, and someone from the university will give you a call to ask you about your interest in the course.

If you are eligible for Clearing Plus, you can still use the search function to find other courses.

2. Contact the universities you’re interested in

If you have used the search function rather than Clearing Pus, you will need to call the universities that made it onto your shortlist directly. Remember to have your UCAS clearing number ready. This will help them view your application, personal statement, and results. If a place is still available, the admissions staff member will likely ask you a few questions to determine if you are eligible and see if you are a good fit for the course.

It’s a good idea to prepare for the call. Have all of your information to hand, and research the types of things they are likely to ask you. Be aware that you may need to attend an interview before getting accepted.

It’s also advisable to talk to several unis about their available courses. Try to get informal offers over the phone from a few, then you can decide which one you want to accept. If you have the time, try to go and look at the uni if it’s one you haven’t visited before, though this might not always be possible. If there isn’t enough time, most universities now have virtual tours or open days.

3. Add your chosen course in UCAS

If you are accepted and have chosen the uni you want to go to, you need to add your clearing application in UCAS. If you are eligible for a course, “add clearing choice” will appear. Be aware – you can only add a clearing choice with permission from the university, and you can only add one at a time. Once you’ve added your choice, you’ll need to contact the university to let them know you have accepted the offer. Ask them how they want you to accept the offer formally, too, and follow their instructions. This may be by letter or email, and the university can then confirm your choice.

If for any reason the university doesn’t accept your choice, you can add another clearing choice, which is why it’s a good idea to get several informal offers over the phone.

Is Clearing First Come, First Serve?

University clearing does work on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s important to start the process as soon as possible, but make sure to use your time efficiently and don’t panic. The best thing to do is to be prepared and research some backup plans before results day, so that you can start the process of clearing straight away if you need to.

If you get rejected from a university, can you apply again through clearing?

Yes, if you get rejected by a university, you can still apply to them again through clearing, as long as they have spaces left on the course you’re interested in. Clearing can be competitive, so you’ll still need to meet the entry requirements, but the process is often more flexible. You’ll likely speak directly to admissions tutors, which gives you a chance to make a personal impression. Sometimes, a clearing uni course may accept slightly lower grades if you show genuine enthusiasm for the course or if your overall UCAS points still stack up. For example, if a course asks for AAB and you’ve got ABB plus an extra qualification or EPQ, that might work in your favour. Stay proactive, show your passion, and be ready to explain why you’re a great fit.

What courses are usually in clearing?

In university clearing, the courses on offer are the ones that still have spaces to fill, so nothing’s totally off the table. You’ll usually find a broad mix, from business and engineering to creative subjects like media or design. What courses are usually in clearing often depends on the year, but courses in newer or fast-growing fields, or at unis with more flexible entry routes, tend to have higher availability. That said, even competitive subjects like law or psychology can pop up, especially if you’re open to different locations.

Tips for Clearing

Clearing can be an exciting opportunity for students, offering them the chance to secure a place quickly and make new decisions about their education. However, some find it daunting, so here are some tips to make the university clearing process easier:

• No matter how confident you are in your grades, plan for clearing. Make a list of possible clearing courses and universities before results day, so you have an idea of what you’re interested in if you don’t get the grades.
• Apply as soon as you have your results and make sure you’re available on results day to talk to the unis.
• Regularly check your UCAS Hub.
• Start calling unis straight away, as clearing works on a first-come, first-served basis (and have your UCAS clearing number to hand).
• Unless you have a disability that prevents you, always call the university yourself.
• Don’t be put off by bad press, clearing isn’t a bad thing and doesn’t mean the unis are inferior – even the top UK universities offer clearing places.

Clearing is a great way to secure a place on your chosen course. There are a lot of reasons why universities may have excess vacancies available. You could even snag a better placement through clearing than your original plan.

Once you have a place via clearing, you need to find accommodation. If you have a place at a London University, check out our student accommodation in London. We’ve still got clearing places available at our Battersea nest, offering you the chance to live in one of London’s most sought-after neighbourhoods, just a short walk from major uni campuses and some of the city’s best attractions. Get in touch with our team today to secure your place.