Your step-by-step guide to Clearing

Here to guide you through the Clearing process

Clearing can feel daunting if you don't know how it works.

This guide walks you through every step, from what Clearing is to making the call and accepting your place.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is how universities fill the places they still have available after the main application cycle. It runs from early July through to September. If you don't have a confirmed place, Clearing matches you to a course that still has space.

For most people it's the last chance to start university in September of the same year. The process is similar to a normal UCAS application, just faster.

Who can use Clearing?

You can apply through Clearing if:

You're applying after 30 June to start this September.
You didn't receive any offers from your UCAS choices.
You didn't meet the conditions of your offer.
You changed your mind about the offers you hold.
You haven't applied to university before and want to start this year.

How to apply through Clearing

Five steps:

Check what's available. From 2 July, our Clearing courses are listed on the Clearing hub.
Call us once you have your final grades. If you meet the entry requirements, we can often make you a verbal offer on the phone.
Accept the offer. If you've applied through UCAS, add us as your Clearing choice in UCAS Hub. If you haven't, we'll send you a form to complete.
Send us your documents, if required. We'll ask for proof of your qualifications to confirm your place.
Get ready to start. Tell your funding body, sort accommodation if you need it, and look out for registration and induction details.

Important

There are no conditional offers in Clearing. You need your final grades before we can make you an offer.

Entry requirements in Clearing

Entry requirements may be a little more flexible in Clearing. If you narrowly missed the conditions of an offer, it's still worth calling. We'll look at your full profile, not just one grade.

How to prepare for results day

The students who do best in Clearing are the ones who prepared before results day. Here's how to prepare:

Put your results day in your calendar: 4 August (Scottish) or 13 August (A-level).
Research courses and check entry requirements in July, before the rush.
Find your UCAS Personal ID (if you have one) and write it down somewhere you can find it fast.
Save our Clearing number (01382 308123) to your phone (live from 2 July).
Have your grades and subjects ready to read out.
Be ready to accept an offer the same day.

What to say on your Clearing call

It might feel like a big call but it's usually a short, friendly one. Have these to hand: your UCAS Personal ID (if you have one), your grades and subjects, and a course or two in mind.

A script you can use:

Hello, my name is [your full name]. I've got my results and I'm interested in [course name] through Clearing.

I've achieved [your grades and subjects].

Are there any places left on that course?

If you're not sure what you want to study, that's fine. Tell us what you enjoy and we'll talk through the options.

If you have any support needs, this is a good moment to mention them so our team can help.

What happens after the call

If we offer you a place and you want to accept:

Applied through UCAS already? Add us as your Clearing choice in UCAS Hub.
Didn't apply through UCAS? We'll send you a form to complete (a Record of Prior Acceptance).
Send us proof of your qualifications (if required).
Once we've confirmed your place, tell your funding body and apply for accommodation if you need it.
You'll then start getting details about registration and induction.

If you don't get an offer

If your first-choice course isn't available, you still have good options:

A related degree with lots of crossover content. Our team can suggest one.
A college route. Start at college and articulate into an Abertay degree later.
A constructive gap year: retake exams, volunteer in your subject area, or take a short course.

Changing your mind

You can explore Clearing without giving up an offer you already hold. Don't release yourself from a confirmed place until you have an offer from us. Once you do, you have a window to self-release in UCAS Hub and accept ours. If you're unsure, call us first.