What is Clearing?

Not everyone is successful with their university applications. 

The hard reality is that students miss out because they may not achieve their predicted grades, or all available places at certain universities may already be taken. That’s when a process called ‘clearing’ takes place. Clearing is where university applicants are matched to university places that haven't been filled. 

Clearing is available to anyone who has made an application to university through the UCAS Undergraduate application process but doesn't hold any offers. Clearing helps thousands of students every year to find a suitable university course that will accept them. If you go through clearing, you may not get to go to the university you really want to, but you might just land a gem of a course somewhere else.

There are plenty of university places available up and down the country, and clearing is an opportunity to find the right one for you. However, the sooner you apply the more choice you will have. 

You may receive multiple course offers through the clearing and adjustment process, and therefore it's important that you make the choice that's right for you. You can only accept one, so if you end up in this situation, you should research the course and university in detail before you respond. All the information you’ll need is at your finger tips - just head to the university website of your choice and you should be able to find out everything you need to know about that course.

Basically, clearing is a process that supports everyone who wants to go to university. If you are one of those students who has to use it, see it as a blessing, not a curse!


  • Not everyone is successful with their university applications. 
  • The hard reality is that students miss out because they may not achieve their predicted grades, or all available places at certain universities may already be taken. That’s when a process called ‘clearing’ takes place. 
  • Clearing is where university applicants are matched to university places that haven't been filled. 
  • Clearing is available to anyone who has made an application to university through the UCAS Undergraduate application process but doesn't hold any offers. 
  • Clearing helps thousands of students every year to find a suitable university course that will accept them. If you go through clearing, you may not get to go to the university you really want to, but you might just land a gem of a course somewhere else.
  • There are plenty of university places available up and down the country, and clearing is an opportunity to find the right one for you. 
  • However, the sooner you apply the more choice you will have. 
  • You may receive multiple course offers through the clearing and adjustment process, and therefore it's important that you make the choice that's right for you. You can only accept one, so if you end up in this situation, you should research the course and university in detail before you respond. All the information you’ll need is at your finger tips - just head to the university website of your choice and you should be able to find out everything you need to know about that course.
  • Basically, clearing is a process that supports everyone who wants to go to university. If you are one of those students who has to use it, see it as a blessing, not a curse!

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Under what circumstances would you need to go through Clearing?

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