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Deciding where and what to study is a huge decision for a young person, and it’s wise to prepare for missed grades, curveballs and changed minds. Thankfully, Clearing has become a well-established way for prospective students to find an alternative course and UK university to suit them, but navigating it can still feel fraught. Arm yourself with the right info, and you can be the sturdy support your student needs.

What is Clearing?
Clearing is the process universities use to fill up vacant spaces. Students who already have their final grades can apply through Clearing from 2 July, although most activity happens on A-level results day: Thursday 13 August this year.

Clearing is not just for students who missed their grades or didn’t get offers from the unis they applied to. It’s an option for students who have changed their mind, who’ve only recently decided they want to go to university, or who’ve done better than expected and want to reconsider their options. Students are increasingly using it as a way to find a course or institution that better suits them.

“More students are entering Clearing because they’re changing their minds,” says Maxine Charlton, Deputy Head of Admissions at the University of York. “A lot happens for applicants between making a decision back in September to January and getting their results. Clearing is an opportunity to have a rethink and move around. It’s there to be used and it’s a really good thing.”

Not every university or course will have spaces available. Highly competitive subjects, such as medicine, are generally already full. How many places are on offer varies each year and depends on a range of factors, including international student numbers, whether universities have expanded courses, and how students perform in their A-levels or other qualifications such as BTECs.

How does Clearing work?
Students can use Clearing if they have not already applied to university, do not hold any offers they want to accept, have not received any offers or have not met the conditions of their offers.

From 2 July, students holding an unconditional firm place can also release themselves into Clearing using the “Decline my place” button in their application. This gives up their existing place. If they would rather swap courses within that institution, they should contact the university first.

The process varies between universities. Most operate phone lines, but some also communicate via online forms, through WhatsApp and on social media. “Individuals will need to call us early on results day,” says Charlton. “We’ll have a quick discussion with them about their grades and what they’re interested in.”

At the University of York, prospective students are also put in touch with someone from the academic department who can explain the course in more detail. “We want to make sure it’s exactly what the student wants to do and that it’s the right fit,” says Charlton.

Students who are successful receive a verbal offer, known as an “offer in principle”, followed by an email explaining how to add the choice through the UCAS Hub once it opens for Clearing referrals at 1pm. The university can then make a formal offer.

How many offers can you get through Clearing?
Students can contact as many universities as they like. Phone lines can be busy, but university staff are on hand to discuss any questions students may have.

Students do not need to accept the first option available. They should do their research before results day, then they’re prepared with the information about which unis they want to call on the day. Students can only hold one Clearing choice in UCAS at a time.

Is Clearing first come, first served?
Yes. Clearing places are offered on a first-come, first-served basis, and many university phone lines are open from around 8am on results day.

Once a course is full, universities will usually remove it from their website and UCAS so students do not waste time calling about places that are no longer available.

How quickly courses fill up varies significantly. At York, for example, Charlton says: “Some courses will stay open for the following week, many will close first thing on Thursday morning. It really does depend on the popularity of the course, and that can change year on year.”

How can my student find courses in Clearing?
Preparation is key. Alex Stanley, Vice-President for Higher Education at the National Union of Students, says Clearing can provide a second chance to attend university or an opportunity for students who’ve exceeded expectations to rethink their plans. But he warns that making such a big decision under pressure can be difficult. “University is a huge decision, and not one to take lightly,” he says.

Students can prepare by researching university websites, looking through UCAS, using the Guardian’s subject guide and course rankings, and thinking carefully about what kind of study and experience they want. Students should sign up to university mailing lists, so they’re the first to hear about vacancies being advertised and to get advice.

On results day itself, Charlton recommends checking university websites directly because they are often the quickest places for institutions to update available courses. By calling the universities they are interested in as early as possible on results day, students will be able to weigh up their options, ready to refer themselves to their preferred choice.

“At 1pm they can then go to the UCAS Hub, enter the university that has given them an offer, enter the course they’ve been offered, and it will sort itself out.” Once a university has made a Clearing offer, it is committing to that student, but there is usually a deadline to accept, often 24 to 48 hours. After that, institutions are not required to keep the place open.

How can I support my student through Clearing?
According to UCAS, 77,110 students secured their place through Clearing last year. Of those, some two-thirds (67%) had already researched the university they eventually joined before August, a sign that students are becoming more strategic, using Clearing as a targeted route rather than a last-minute fallback.

Parents and supporters can help young people to make a list of choices well in advance of the August date, including course codes and titles. This should include university phone numbers, email addresses and as much information as possible about options, as well as any questions they want answered. Students should phone universities in order of preference. They need to make a note of their UCAS ID number, qualifications, results and Clearing number. This is an ideal opportunity for students to ask questions about the course. Unis can only make verbal offers to the student themselves. It can be a nerve-racking time, but Charlton advises trying to keep everybody calm, take a breath and know that things will work out. “They always do,” she says.

How does Clearing affect accommodation?
Accommodation choices may be more limited for students applying through Clearing, and a room is not always guaranteed. However, universities and colleges will usually prioritise helping all incoming first-year students find somewhere to live, including those who secure their place through Clearing.

Find your place at the University of York through Clearing