Clearing 2024 has Opened: How to Get the Best of UCAS Clearing

When it comes to UCAS Undergraduate applications, 'Clearing’ is a UCAS (university and Colleges Admission Service) service that allows students to find alternative courses.

It's a system that serves students well if they didn't previously apply and have decided now that university is a good option for them, didn’t get the grades they needed for a particular course, turned down a course and wished they hadn’t, had higher grades than they expected or simply changed their minds about what they really want to study.  Clearing offers students a second chance to apply for courses, provided that they still have vacancies.

However disappointing it may be for any students applying because they didn't get the grades they expected, there is no stigma in getting into university through clearing. More than 38,000 people got their university places through Clearing in 2023.

If you´re confused about clearing, here's a little advice and information about clearing.

Clearing 2024 is open!

Clearing opened on July 5 and is open until October 21, 2024..

A level results will generally be published on Thursday 15 August 2024, and the Scottish equivalent, the SQA (Scottish Qualifications Authority) results on Tuesday 6 August 2024, giving students time to react to results.

However, the time passes quickly, and the sooner students start to think about it, the better - and the more likely they are to achieve their preferred clearing course place.

Many Universities, like Aberystwyth University in Wales or the University of Manchester for example, are already publicising which courses are available for clearing.

How to Apply

To secure a place through clearing, students will need to ensure they are registered with UCAS and have their UCAS clearing number in order to use the UCAS system.

Once the results are known, UCAS' clearing service will make personalised clearing recommendations based on students‘ original course choices, their results and, of course, availability of places.

A button will appear in the student's existing application, ‘See matches’, which, when used, will present a list of matches - clearing choices.

If a student expresses an interest in a course they have been presented by UCAS as a possible match, the university or college can contact the student directly.

Clearing places fill quickly: it's a busy time of year for university departments and students may not receive that call, so students are well advised to keep their options open and look for courses as early as possible - being proactive and calling them if necessary.

New applicants who haven’t submitted applications previously can still be matched though the Clearing Plus system.  The system works slightly differently: the UCAS system will present them with course matches based on their qualifications and what previous students with similar results went on to study.

f the student doesn't like or want the suggested courses, there is also a wider search function.

Plan B: Prepare for Clearing Even if its Unexpected

It pays students to read up on the clearing process well ahead of time, making a list of their favourite university hotline numbers as a ´Plan B´with regard to results. That way, they are well prepared if they miss out on their grades.

This way, if results day disappoints, they will be armed with a list to start calling new choices the moment they receive their results.

Don't Roll Over

Some people will find the clearing process exciting.

For others, there were specific reasons for choosing their course and nothing else will do. In this case, there are options:

1. Course Flexibility

If this is the case (not wanting to compromise) but students don’t earn the required grades on A-level results day, the university/ college may be prepared to be flexible. Students in this position should talk to their school/college, or, better still, to their first choice university. They may be prepared to be flexible.

For some, there has been something catastrophic resulting in not acheivng their grades-  maybe family or health problems, for example.  This may be a good reason for students to ask universities for a degree of flexibility. (see above)

Schools/colleges are usually great at helping students make a case for this.

2. Foundation Courses

There may be the option of a one or two year preparatory course known as a foundation course. These courses enable students to reach the entry requirements needed for degree level study in a particular subject.

Where to find information on Foundation Courses:

1. The What Uni site can help students with  details in some areas of study;

2. Their chosen university may have some information;

3. UCAS offers a guide, The Complete Guide to Foundation Degrees.

3. Resits

If needs must, resits are an alternative. Although it is possible to resit maths and English GCSEs in November, retaking A-Levels can only happen during the summer exam season. This means resitting students will need to prepare for exams over the coming year.

Although this seems harsh, a full year seems like a long time away, and the resits will be at the student's expense, the student can actually benefit hugely because they can use that time gaining invaluable work experience and saving towards the costs of university. For future employers, it can be seen as a sign of determination to succeed, of a willingness to put in the extra work to achieve what they set their mind to.

Whilst most UK universities accept A-Level resit results, there are exceptions, so do discuss it with your first-choice university before deciding to take this route. Students have shown a determination to succeed, a loyalty to the university and the course, and the extra experience may well serve the student well in future.

Remember, however, that resits also have no guarantee of a ´pass´ and therefore students taking this course should be prepared to give their all to obtain the higher grade

4. Appealing results

If students genuinely believe their results should have been higher, and that there has been a mistake in marking, it is possible to ask for a review.. 

This should be done as early as possible, as the process will take around 20 days on average, depending on how many people are asking for reviews. Remember that results can go down as well as up.

If asking for a review or appealing A Level results, the student should contact their university or college urgently and let them know. They may decide to hold the place open until a results decision is made.

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