UCAS Clearing 2025

What is UCAS Clearing?

UCAS Clearing is for students who are unable to secure an offer from a UK university because:

• They applied after the June 30th deadline
• Exam results fell short of conditional offer requirements
• No offers were received, or no offers were accepted

Clearing is how UK universities fill vacancies on undergraduate degrees, which begins in September, the start of the new academic year. Clearing begins each year in July and lasts until September.

UCAS Clearing Process

StudyIn can assist students in finding available courses at UK universities from July onwards. Arrange a free consultation to get started.

1. Receive free Clearing advice

Arrange your free consultation to learn about available undergraduate courses for September entry at UK universities. Your consultant will review the Clearing list with you, discussing subject options and university locations.

2. We will contact universities on your behalf

Once we have established which courses and universities you are interested in, your consultant will contact institutions on your behalf to find out if they are interested in accepting you as a student.

3. Consider your Clearing offer

After contacting universities on your behalf, you may be informally offered a place at several institutions. If you are unfamiliar with the university, research the institution, area and accommodation options.

4. Accepting an offer and adding a Clearing choice to UCAS

If you decide to accept an offer, you will need to enter your Clearing choice through UCAS. You can only enter one Clearing choice at a time, but add another if the university doesn’t confirm your place.

FAQs and Advice

How does the Clearing process work?

The clearing is the opportunity to find a place on another UK university course if you don’t have a confirmed place or choose to decline a place. If you are eligible:

• On results day, log in to UCAS Track to see if you are eligible for Clearing – if so, you will have a Clearing number
• The UCAS website will list all available Clearing course spaces across the UK
• Before calling universities, ensure you have your supporting documents ready and are prepared to complete a potential interview
• You can speak to as many UK universities as you want during Clearing and don’t have to accept the first offer you get

When does 2025 Clearing open?

Clearing opens in July 2025.

Which UK universities offer Clearing?

It is important to remember that not all UK universities participate in Clearing, and not every course or subject has places available. Elite universities in the UK, such as the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge and the University of St Andrews, will not have any available spaces for students because they have already oversubscribed. Similarly, competitive subjects such as medicine rarely have any spots left at this time of year due to demand.

What courses are on offer during Clearing?

Clearing is how UK universities fill up the available space on programmes beginning from September of that year. Generally, room is available for almost all subjects and course types, but better programmes will fill up quickly.

When should I start researching Clearing courses?

A-Level results day and beginning the Clearing process can be extremely stressful, so make sure you begin your research on other possible outcomes before the big day arrives. Preparing for all possible eventualities will help you make decisions with a clearer head once the Clearing process begins. There are many available courses, so it’s a good idea to have a shortlist of courses and universities you’d like to apply to.

I haven’t achieved the grades required for my first-choice university. Can I still apply?

Many UK universities will consider applicants who have achieved slightly lower grades than standard entry requirements during Clearing, while pathway and foundation courses are also options for students looking to enrol at a specific university. Universities do this because:

• You missed out by just one grade
• A grade you missed out on was not relevant to the degree you will study
• The university needs to fill up places on the course

Depending on the course, country-specific qualifications will also be considered.

I achieved better grades than expected. Can I still apply during Clearing?

If you surpassed the grades you were expected to receive on results day, you can also enter Clearing to find a better university or course that suits you.

Who can use Clearing?

Most typically, clearing is used by students who applied after the final deadline, students whose exam results fell short of their conditional offer, students who received no offers or chose not to accept any offers and students who accepted an offer but changed their mind about the course they want to study.

When does Clearing open, and what is the deadline for 2025?

Clearing services are available from July to October each year.

Where do I receive free Clearing advice?

Educational consultants such as StudyIn offer free counselling on the application process during Clearing.

How long does the Clearing process take?

Application during Clearing will depend on the university you are applying to. If you use educational consultants to help you with the application, they will give you an estimate of how long you must wait.

Which universities do Clearing for medicine courses?

Due to high demand and competitive entry requirements, medicine programmes are unavailable during the Clearing process.

I haven’t applied yet but want to enrol in a September course. Can I still apply?

Yes. If you haven’t applied yet, you can still submit it between July and October.

I haven’t received any offers for a place at a university. Can I still enrol in September?

Yes, if you haven’t received any offers yet, you can still submit your application between July and October.

I changed my mind about the offer and wanted to study something else. Can I still apply?

Yes, if you change your mind and don’t want to proceed with the offer you received, you can still submit your application between July and October.

How do you prepare for your Clearing call?

Prepare yourself before the call by checking the internet connection, choosing a quiet room to limit distractions, and preparing a notepad or laptop to make notes of the call.

What are common Clearing interview questions?

Here are some popular questions universities can ask in the clearing.

• Why do you want to take this course?
• What do you enjoy about learning?
• How do you cope with challenging situations and people?
• What is your experience of being part of a team?
• How do you motivate yourself and deal with stress?
• What would you like to do after you graduate?
• How many courses can I apply for during Clearing?

You can only apply for one course at a time through Clearing.