What is Clearing? Your questions answered

Each university is different. We welcome a range of qualifications and consider each application individually. Our approach is about you as an individual and we look beyond grades at your personal experience, ambition and potential. Take a look at the flexible and inclusive way we consider applications in Clearing to see how it can work for you.

It's great news. Hopefully you can move forward with your plans for the future without any more delay. If you're thinking about applying, you can apply to Brighton now based on your teacher's assessment and get a quick decision from us. We need to see formal confirmation from your college or school (an email, letter or pdf) of the grades they awarded you. If you don’t have that ask them to provide it to you. Also, remember: if you have accepted an offer your place is confirmed; if we have already made you an offer, you can accept it now.

UCAS Clearing starts officially on Tuesday 5 July 2022, but if you are waiting for exam results you will have to wait to receive them before you can apply. From that point you can seek out Clearing places by phone and refer yourself via your UCAS Hub. If you want to apply before 5 July 2022, please call us on 01273 644000 and we'll advise you how to apply through UCAS. When does Clearing end? Clearing ends in mid-October.

Once Clearing opens from 5 July 2022, if you have your results, we can make you an offer if you meet our grade requirements. You can contact us now for Clearing advice about the options at Brighton and the next steps.

You can use our course finder to find out what courses are available.

No, Clearing is not just for UK students. You can also apply using Clearing if you are a non-UK student. European, Irish and international students are all eligible to apply. 

Clearing for university places is open from 5 July 2022 and continues until mid-October. You must know all your exam results before you can get an offer of a place through Clearing.

• If you already have your exam results – for example, if you completed your qualifications last year – you can apply through Clearing now.
• If you receive your exam results in July – for example, if you are completing an Access course, the International Baccalaureate (IB) or some BTEC qualifications – you can be considered for a place as soon as you have your results in July.
• If you are still waiting for your exam results, you can use Clearing from results day on Thursday 18 August.
• Can I still apply for uni after Clearing? Yes, you can apply to start with us in 2023. For advice call us on 01273 644644 and our advisors can help you to make the right choice for you.

• A list of the courses and subject areas you're interested in.
• Your qualifications or grades.
• Your UCAS ID number (if you haven't already applied through UCAS, we'll provide you with an RPA form when you call us).
• Your date of birth, postal address, email address and phone number. For art and design courses, a link to your online digital portfolio.
• To help you better understand what is clearing before you apply, take a look at our How to apply through clearing guide.

Some of our creative media, arts and architecture courses require you to prepare an online portfolio of your work. You can find out if your course needs a portfolio, and get advice on what to include and how to present your work on our online portfolio advice page.

For some courses you will need to attend an interview as part of the Clearing process. The interview helps us assess your suitability for the course and the profession you are interested in. Read our tips on preparing for a Clearing interview.

Yes, if your exam results are better than expected, you can use UCAS Adjustment to apply to us. 

This is a really common question students ask about Clearing, so we've included it in our What is Clearing section. Referred means that UCAS has sent your application to a university. It isn't anything to worry about, and you should receive more information quickly.

How do you sign up for Clearing to transfer from another university and can you do this? Yes you can, we have Clearing advice on this on our guide to transferring from another university.

Clearing Plus is a new UCAS process for undergraduate applicants who are unplaced. It is accessible via UCAS Hub, and will match people to relevant courses with vacancies. Your best chance of receiving an offer is to contact us directly.

Yes, universities can see your other choices but only once you have decided which offers to accept – up to this point they won't see that you are considering other places. However, it's possible they could see this information if you decline offers, if your application has been unsuccessful or if you have no live choices. In many ways it's not that important what universities might see: ultimately it's your choice where you want to apply.

If you applied to university in the main application cycle and if you meet the conditions of your offer your place will be confirmed when the university receives your results. If you are applying through Clearing and receive an offer, and meet its conditions you can accept the offer either via UCAS Hub or with our confirmation of clearing application form.

You don't get rejected from Clearing. It's possible that there isn't a course available that matches what you want, but this isn't a rejection and you will get excellent support from our Clearing advice team who can help find alternatives you've not considered. Worse case scenario is you take a fresh look at your options and find another way to get onto a course the following year. Don't worry about being rejected from Clearing. Speak with us; we are here to help 01273 644000.

Access course students apply through Clearing in the same way once Clearing opens in July – you may receive a verbal offer straight away if you have your results. Access course students are required to submit their results to their firm choice university. If you don't have a confirmed place or want to explore clearing places with us we'll have an online Clearing application form in addition to our telephone hotline.

Once you have decided that you would like to accept an offer of a place through Clearing you will need to confirm your acceptance – either through UCAS or by sending a confirmation of clearing application form.

Universities do check your GCSE results if they feel these are important in your application. You might want to change direction from the subjects you studied at A-level and have great results at GCSE, so don't forget to include these or mention them when you apply through Clearing.