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Where once university Clearing might have been seen as a last resort for those who did not make the grade, savvy students these days are using it to shop around and find the best possible fit for their future. So whether you’re a prospective scholar or an anxious parent or supporter, let’s clear up any Clearing confusion.

Myth: Clearing is only for people who have failed their exams

Reality: On the contrary, there are scores of different reasons to use Clearing. According to UCAS, 77,110 students secured their place through Clearing in 2025 – and of those students 33% were either trading up or changing their mind, rather than using it because they missed their target grades. “I actually chose not to go to my firm or insurance universities, despite getting the marks that I needed,” says Alikee*, who decided instead to take up a Social and Political Sciences place at the University of York through Clearing.

Perhaps you’ve had a change in circumstances and want to stay closer to home, or venture farther afield. Maybe you’ve had a change of heart about what you want to study, or you’ve only recently decided that university is the right path for you. Or perhaps your results are better than you’d expected, and you want to see what other opportunities are available. The uni application process is a long one, and changes can happen in the meantime.

Myth: You cannot get a place at a top university through Clearing

Reality: It’s a common misconception that only lower-ranking universities take part in Clearing. With student demographics evolving and subjects fluctuating in popularity, you might be surprised at how many prestigious institutions have spaces to fill. Of the 24 elite Russell Group universities, about 20 offered places through Clearing last year – including the University of York, one of only four universities rated Gold for teaching and top 10 for research (REF 2031, TEF 2023).

“York had always been my dream university. So when I saw there was a place available through Clearing, I picked up the phone immediately,” says Jay*, a first-year student. They accepted an offer to study Chemistry at the University of York after they didn’t meet the conditions for Medicine elsewhere. Their change of plan led them to a department ranked fourth in the UK for Chemistry, with a reputation for world-leading research. “I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.”

Myth: Results day is a frantic free-for-all

Reality: Stop. Breathe. Take a beat. If you have not got the grades you had hoped for, it can be easy to feel like results day is a race against the clock, scrabbling to secure a place before all the good ones go. But it doesn’t have to be.

Clearing advisers are trained to help you navigate those big decisions calmly on the day. “The woman I spoke to [at York] was incredibly empathetic, she took the time to explain everything clearly, congratulated me on my results and actually paused to make sure that I was OK,” says Jay. “That might sound small, but it made such a big difference.”

If you know there’s a chance you might use Clearing, you can help to save time and minimise stress by drawing up a longlist of courses you’re interested in and the university Clearing hotline numbers, allowing you to hit the ground running. And take note – if you already have your results, perhaps because you took a gap year or completed an International Baccalaureate, you can apply when Clearing opens on 2 July 2026, rather than waiting until A-level results day on 13 August.

Clearing can be a very quick process, however if phone lines are busy you will need to persevere. At York, following a verbal offer by phone, you will be sent an email on what to do next. If the offer is on results day morning (13 August), you will need to wait until 1pm before you can refer yourself on UCAS. The offer will be confirmed formally by email, usually in 24 to 48 hours.

Myth: I will not know anything about the university I end up at

Reality: If you’ve spent months or years preparing for life at a different institution, it can be scary to change your plan only weeks before term starts. But there’s no need to feel like you’re going in cold – most universities offer plenty of resources to help get you up to speed, and confirm that they’re the right choice for you.

Sign up to be a Clearing Insider at York and you’ll receive a notification when applications open and links to the latest vacancies, as well as advice on how to navigate the process and information on what it’s like to live, learn and find your people in the UK’s friendliest city. York even offers a free online course to introduce you to the learning community, hear what staff and current students have to say and familiarise you with the facilities and resources available before you start. So you can stop wondering and focus on the important things, like your freshers’ week fancy dress.

Myth: I will not be able to find accommodation

Reality: Will all the places in halls be taken? Will you end up miles from all the fun? You might worry that Clearing puts you to the back of the accommodation queue, but don’t panic – many universities keep rooms reserved specifically for Clearing students, or like York have guarantees in place to make sure you find a home that suits. Ask what’s available when you speak to each Clearing adviser, and make sure you apply for accommodation as soon as you’ve accepted your offer, to give you the widest possible choice.

Meanwhile life beyond your room can be just as important for helping you feel at home. At York, every student belongs to a college – meaning that regardless of where you live, you’ll always be part of a community with ample chances to meet new people, get involved in campus life, and enjoy everything one of the “happiest places to live in Britain” has to offer.

Myth: Clearing will affect my employment prospects

Reality: No future employer will ever know you got your place through Clearing – and honestly, none are likely to care. Finding a course that suits you, at a university where you can feel at home, work hard and thrive, is far more important for your long-term career.

As ​​one of the top 30 most targeted universities (High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2026 report) by the UK’s leading graduate employers, a degree from the University of York can put you on track for countless possible future careers – whatever route you took to get there. Going through Clearing can even be a sign of your resilience and problem-solving skills.

As Jay says: “Clearing gave me an opportunity I didn’t expect, and it completely changed my path for the better.”

Find your place at the University of York through Clearing

* Surnames withheld at the request of the University of York