What is Clearing? (2024)

Clearing offers you a chance to find a full time undergraduate course to start this September. Thousands of students find their university place in clearing every year, so you wouldn’t be alone in exploring your options.

When does Clearing open?

Clearingopens from the beginning of July each year. If you have your exam results you can apply straight away, howeveryou might need to wait until A Level results day on Thursday 15 August 2024to be able to apply. We advise you toresearch your course options early,so that you are prepared when A Level Results Day arrives.

If you're also waiting to receive GCSE results, you may need to wait until GCSE results day on Thursday 22 August 2024to apply.

When does Clearing end?

Clearing usually closes around theend of September or when the courses in Clearing are full.

How does Clearing work?

A university will publish a list of the courses which have places available to start in the coming September. As soon as you have your exam results, you can apply for the course either online (from July until mid-August) or by calling the university's Clearing hotline which opens on A Level Results Day. Our hotline number is 0121 331 6777.

If you have the required exam results for the course, you can be made an offer in Clearing. Once you have been made an offer, you will receive an email from the university which explains what you need to do next to accept your offer and make arrangements for student finance or accommodation if you need it.

When do A Level results come out?

A Level results day falls in August each year, in 2024, A Level results day will be on Thursday 15 August. You will usually have to go into your school or college to collect your grades – exact times and details will vary.

Before your school opens you can usually log on to UCAS Track to find out whether your status has changed and if you have met your offer, however, this won’t give you any details about how many UCAS tariff points you have. If you call a University Clearing hotline, you will need to have your grades in order to get an offer for a place however you can call us before and we’ll be happy to advise you on your potential options.

Who can apply in Clearing?

There are many reasons why you might want to apply for university in Clearing.

• Your exam results are worse than you expected
• You decide to apply at the last minute
• You change your mind about the course you’ve already applied for
• Your exam results are better than you expected – this is known as Adjustment.

Find out more about Clearing