University Clearing

I didn't get the grades I needed for my offers - what can I do?

If you did not get the grades for the offers you had, please don't worry, you may think about going through university clearing. It is wise to perhaps have a word with the university you have your offers with to discuss your options with them. They may be able to either offer you an alternative course or may have some flexibility over your grades. If however, this isn't an option and you have a backup place, which is your insurance choice, and you meet their conditions and grades, then you will have your place with them. If however, this isn't an option, please be reassured that you will then be eligible for university clearing whereby you can find a place.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is a process whereby you can try and negotiate a place. It tends to be for people who don't get their initial offers. It might be that people drop out of places, or it might be that they suddenly have a number of places that might have become available. To enter Clearing you should have applied through UCAS. Once you're eligible for Clearing, a Clearing passport will be generated and sent to you so that you can access and negotiate your place with the university of interest.

Who is eligible for Clearing?

To be eligible for university clearing, you would either have to have not made the grades, or got the offers of your conditional offers. University clearing is eligible for people who apply late, may have withdrawn from their initial choices or may have declined any offers that they may have had. Therefore university clearing is an opportunity to try and find a last minute university place.

Can I apply through Clearing to a university I have applied to already?

If you wish to go apply through university clearing to the same university you have already applied for, it is wise to speak to that university to make further inquiries, as they may find that they have got particular course vacancies that they can consider you for, without going through clearing.

What happens if I am away during Clearing?

It is advisable to be available during Clearing wherever possible. If however, you are going to be away, it might be worth asking someone to contact the university on your behalf, or perhaps contacting the university prior to your departure to inform them that you will be away during the clearing period.

What should I do if a university makes me an offer?

If the university you applied for makes you an offer, we would always ask you whether or not you want to reply to that university offer. If you accept the offer, then you will be committed to that particular university and will not be then able to approach other universities, and not be eligible to apply for university clearing.

When should I send off my Clearing Passport?

When you have gone through university clearing, you should send off your Clearing Passport only when you've negotiated your place with the university. So, if the university confirms they definitely want to make you an offer, you should send the clearing passport direct to the university at that time.