University Clearing 2025

Universities use Clearing as a means of filling remaining places on their courses, so if you've not managed to find a suitable programme yet for 2025/26, discover what you need to do to apply

What is Clearing?

Clearing is a UCAS service that allows universities to fill spaces on courses that aren't yet full, giving students without offers a second chance to pursue their higher education aspirations.

In 2023, 38,140 students secured their university places through UCAS Clearing, up from 33,280 in 2022 - a rise of nearly 15%.

When does Clearing 2025 open?

The service is available from July to October each year, meaning that for 2025/26, if you already have your grades but aren't holding an offer from a university, you can use the Clearing service from Saturday 5 July 2025.

However, if you had conditional offers but your grades didn't go as planned, you can enter Clearing from A-level results day (Thursday 14 August 2025) onwards, as Clearing choices can be added to your UCAS Hub account from 1pm.

When does Clearing close?

Applications will be accepted until Monday 20 October 2025. This is the last date to add your choices and for universities to make their final decisions.

Where can I find the Clearing course options?

Clearing vacancies are displayed in UCAS's search tool, with the majority added from results day. You can phone the university hotline numbers from the morning of Thursday 14 August, to late afternoon. As opening times will vary, it's best to check with the individual university for details.

If you'd like to speak with a careers adviser, you can contact the National Careers Service (NCS) on 0800 100 900.

Can I use UCAS Clearing?

This process could be the ideal way to find a place on a new course if you:

• were late applying for university (after 30 June)
• haven't received any offers (or none you're willing to accept)
• didn't meet the conditions of your offers
• have paid the multiple-choice application fee of £28.50 (for 2025/26)
• declined your firm place using UCAS Hub.

Even if you meet the grade requirements for your firm or insurance offer, you can now use the 'self-release' facility on UCAS Hub to release yourself from your university choice and find a course through Clearing instead.

To proceed, you'll need to follow a series of on-screen prompts after pressing the 'Decline my place' button to confirm that you fully understand the action you're taking.

How does Clearing work?

While some universities, including Oxford and Cambridge, don't participate in Clearing, the UCAS Clearing website typically lists more than 30,000 course vacancies through its official search facility. The list is updated regularly until mid-September.

However, it's up to you to identify courses of interest that still have spaces to fill. Contact the relevant universities directly to confirm whether they'll offer you a place. Trained advisers are on hand, manning university hotlines to guide you through the process.

Please note that you will need to gain permission from a university before you can add the course to UCAS Hub.

Keep your UCAS personal ID to hand, as you'll need this when calling universities.

Once you've received a verbal offer, it's been added to UCAS Hub and confirmed by the university, your place is guaranteed.

If you need to contact UCAS about Clearing, you can call them on 0371 468 0468.

Read more about how Clearing works at UCAS - What is Clearing?

Can I consider courses in subjects I didn't initially apply for?

Yes, and you can also apply to universities that may have previously rejected you earlier in the year.

As you begin to search for new courses and think through your options, get help on how to choose the right degree and the best ways to compare UK universities.

How do I apply through Clearing?

Any places on courses that universities haven't managed to fill can be found via the UCAS search facility, where you can browse vacancies according to subject, location or university.

1. To apply, fill out your details as normal (including your university personal statement).
2. Once submitted, you'll be invited to use the UCAS Hub service and given a Clearing number - this will be displayed under your 'Application status'.
3. From there, you'll need to follow the steps and look for a place.

You'll need to give the university your Clearing number and personal ID, so they can view your online application. Verbal offers are usually made over the phone, and you should only accept one.

Remember that you can only add one choice at a time. If the university doesn't confirm the offer, you can look again and add another.

How do I add a Clearing choice?

If you've previously registered for UCAS Hub and your results have updated, you're ready to use Clearing when your status changes to either 'You are in Clearing' or 'Clearing has started'.

From this point, you can visit the 'Your choices' section and click 'Add Clearing choice'.

You'll then be able to enter the course details.

You should add a Clearing choice only once your chosen university has granted you permission. The university will then confirm your place through UCAS.

What are Clearing matches?

As well as searching for suitable courses through the UCAS search facility, you can also take advantage of its Clearing matches tool, which has been designed to match you with your ideal course using information from your application and what universities are looking for in candidates.

If you haven't got a place at university or have started a new application, you'll see a 'View your matches' button in UCAS Hub. This takes you to your top 50 course matches.

From the list, you can approach universities offering courses you're interested in. They may then contact you if they still have vacancies and you meet their entry requirements.

Read more about this service at UCAS - Your Clearing matches.

How should I prepare for Clearing?

The ideal time to start preparing to use the UCAS Clearing process is at least a month before A-level results day, preferably from July onwards. You can get ready by:

• shortlisting the courses and universities that you're interested in
• checking the course entry requirements against your predicted grades
• keeping a note of the contact details for the Clearing hotlines of your preferred universities
• writing a short personal statement for each course, as you may need to explain why you want to study it
• creating a shortcut to the UCAS login page so it's ready on your laptop
• ensuring that your contact details are up to date in UCAS Hub.

Can I apply to a university in Clearing without using UCAS?

You can apply directly to a university, and the process is called Record of Prior Acceptance (RPA). You'll still have to supply the university with your results, a personal statement and a reference, and if the university provides this route and makes you an offer that you accept, you'll need to fill in an RPA form. The university will submit this to UCAS on your behalf (for use in data analysis).

Not all universities offer this route, so be sure to check with your chosen university.

If you accept an offer from a university via an RPA, you won't be able to apply for any other courses. Be absolutely sure about the course before you accept any offer.

How do I secure student finance after Clearing?

If you accept an offer through Clearing, you need to make sure you get your student loan.

The finance process will be different depending on whether you applied for university in the initial application phase or used Clearing for your first application.

Read more about student loans and finance, which includes guidance on student bank accounts. You can also explore saving money as a student.

For those who have already made a funding application

If you've already applied for funding but have changed your course or the university you're attending, you'll need to let Student Finance know. It's easy to update your details, but you should do this as soon as possible, as it may affect the amount you receive.

Follow the steps below to update your Student Finance application:

1. Log in to your account at GOV.UK - Student finance login.
2. Go to 'Your Account'.
3. Select 'Change your Application'.
4. Then select 'University/College and Course'.

For those who haven't applied for student finance

If you've decided to go to university this year and you still haven't applied for finance, you'll need to apply now to give yourself the best chance of receiving your loan in time for the start of your course. You can register and apply at GOV.UK - Apply online for student finance.

While it's possible you won't get all of your funding in time for the start of your course, Student Finance will do their best to make sure you receive some support shortly after you register. If you face a delay in your funding, contact your university to let them know.

Student finance in other home nations

Whether you've already applied or not, students from other countries in the UK will need to apply or update their details on the relevant website:

• Northern Ireland
• Scotland
• Wales

Do you have any tips for Clearing?

Malathi Kanapathy, head of prospect and applicant engagement at Middlesex University London, gives her advice on how to navigate the university Clearing process:

• Use your time wisely before results day to research, browse websites, view virtual tours, check social media channels, and get a feel for the universities you'd consider.
• Assess your options and don't discount alternative courses and study levels. The course pages and university profiles provide plenty of information to help you decide.
• Speak to admissions advisers through their special Clearing phone lines about the alternatives you're interested in. This is also a good opportunity to discuss the availability of their student accommodation.
• Have all your important information ready, which you'll need when making calls (for instance, your UCAS number, Clearing number, A-level/GCSE grades) when talking to universities. Take notes of the points discussed with the adviser or course leader.
• Be ready to answer questions on your reasons for choosing a specific course (as well as your academic ability), as universities will want to know you're the right fit. You may even be asked to speak to a programme leader about the course, or be invited for a university interview.
• Be patient - with hundreds of applications to process, it can take up to a day for your chosen university to make a decision and respond. If you haven't heard back by the following day, give them a call to find out about your place. Even though you applied late, you'll still receive a welcome pack and your university will make sure you're all set for freshers' week.
• Confirm your place - remember to confirm your place through UCAS once you've received an offer that you're happy with.

Find out more

• Consider the 10 things to do before starting university.
• Discover what to take to university.
• Read our 5 ways to manage student stress.