Clearing FAQs | If your grades are below entry requirements

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Afia went through Clearing after getting lower-than-expected grades. Hear her story.

How do you know if you can use Clearing?

You can use Clearing if one of the following applies:

You didn’t get the grades needed for your firm or insurance choice

You got better grades than expected and want to apply for a different course or uni

You’ve decided you want to apply for a different course or uni

You’ve applied through UCAS but don’t have any offers

You want to go to uni this year but are applying for the first time after 30 June

Learn more about UCAS Clearing.

Can you hold a place on a course when Clearing opens even if you don’t have your grades?

No, you can only get a place on a Clearing course once you get your grades on results day. You should still research Clearing courses before results day and shortlist any you’re interested in. You’ll be able to call universities as soon as you get your grades.

What do you do if you didn’t meet your grades but the university hasn’t rejected you yet?

Contact the university as they may still be considering your application and be willing to accept you onto the course with lower grades. Let them know if you’re no longer considering the course so they can reject you and you can enter Clearing.

Can you apply to a university that rejected you?

Yes, if they have places available in Clearing.

Can you apply for more than one university through Clearing?

You can call as many universities as you like, but you’ll only be able to accept one offer.

Do you have to apply for the same subject you originally applied for?

No, you can apply for any course if you meet the entry requirements.

Do universities lower entry requirements in Clearing?

Yes, some universities lower course entry requirements but not all. This will depend on the university and the course.

Do all the best Clearing courses get taken up quickly?

This depends on the course and university you’re interested in. We suggest preparing for Clearing well before results day, even if you aren’t sure whether you’ll go through Clearing. Research available Clearing courses, shortlist any you're interested in and compare your options. This will mean you can call universities as soon as you get your results.

What information should you have on hand when calling universities?

Have these with you when calling universities:

Your Clearing number

Your UCAS ID number

Course name and code

Your personal statement

Your grades

Any questions you’d like to ask

Sinem, who went through Clearing to find a place at SOAS studying development studies, advises:

Quote from Clearing student Sinem

How long does a Clearing decision take?

A Clearing decision can happen immediately over the phone. If the university wants to offer you a place on their course, they'll do it when you call.

How long do you have to accept a Clearing offer?

You’ll typically have 24 hours to accept a Clearing offer via your UCAS Hub account. The university will then confirm your place within 24 to 72 hours of you accepting the offer.

According to Sinem:

Quote from Clearing student Sinem

How do you organise student accommodation in Clearing?

Your university will usually guarantee you a room within their student accommodation. You’ll be given information on how to sort your student accommodation once your place on the course is confirmed. Research student accommodation options before you apply through Clearing to speed up the process and secure the accommodation you want.

How does going through Clearing affect your student loan?

If you’ve already applied for a student or maintenance loan before you switch to a Clearing course, simply let your student finance provider know once the change is confirmed. Do this by logging into your student finance account, or give them a call.

If you’re yet to apply for a loan, do it as soon as you have a confirmed place. The sooner you apply, the sooner you’ll get your funds.