What is Clearing? Your questions answered

So, how does Clearing work?

Well, have a quick read through these Clearing FAQs. From What is Clearing? to When does Clearing start? They'll help you understand what happens and are based on questions other students ask us.

what is university clearing?

Clearing simply matches students with uni places. You can find courses in Clearing then apply direct to us, or through UCAS

Top Clearing FAQs: The most common Clearing questions 

  1. What is Clearing?
  2. What do universities look for in applicants when they make offers?
  3. What happens if my exam results are upgraded?
  4. When does Clearing start and when does Clearing end?
  5. I am still waiting to hear from my first choice uni, can you make me a Clearing offer?
  6. What courses are available through Clearing?
  7. Who can use Clearing for university entry?
  8. Is Clearing only for UK students?
  9. Do I need to wait until August to apply through Clearing?
  10. Can I apply to more than one university through Clearing?
  11. What happens about my student loan application?
  12. What if I decide to apply for a different course or university through Clearing?
  13. What should I have ready for Clearing?
  14. How do I prepare / send my portfolio for Clearing?
  15. How do I prepare for a Clearing interview?
  16. Does the university consider students through Adjustment?
  17. What does referred mean on UCAS?
  18. Can I use Clearing to transfer to Brighton from another university?
  19. What is UCAS Clearing Plus?
  20. Can you get into Clearing with lower grades?
  21. Do universities see your other choices?
  22. Do I need a new personal statement for Clearing?
  23. When do universities confirm your place?
  24. What is the latest you can apply for university?
  25. Can you get rejected from Clearing?
  26. How do Access course students apply through Clearing?
  27. Do universities check your GCSE results?

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1 What is Clearing?

Clearing is part of the UCAS application process.

It matches you with available university places and is a chance for you to make a positive move and choose what's right for you. It also allows you to find a place at university if you don't yet hold an offer.

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2 What do universities look for in applicants when they make offers?

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.

3 What happens if my exam results are upgraded?

This is great news!

Please get in touch with us on 01273 644000 and we’ll advise you on your options.

4 When does Clearing start and when does Clearing end?

UCAS Clearing starts officially on Wednesday 5 July 2023, 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 2023, 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.

5 I am still waiting to hear from my firm choice uni, can you make me a Clearing offer?

Once Clearing opens from 5 July 2023, if you have your results, we can make you an offer if you meet our grade requirements.

You can contact us now on 01273 644000 for Clearing advice about the options at Brighton and the next steps.

6 What courses are available though Clearing?

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

Find your course

7 Who can use Clearing for university entry?

Many students aiming to secure a place are eligible to apply through Clearing for university. There are several different reasons for doing so. You are eligible to use Clearing if:

  • you are applying for a university place after 30 June
  • you applied through UCAS for a place, but are not holding any offers
  • you do not meet the grades required by your firm and insurance choice universities
  • you have had a change of heart about your choice of course or university
Student preparing for clearing making a list

8 Is Clearing only for UK students?

No, Clearing is not just for UK students, however we are no longer accepting applications from international students applying through Clearing to start in September 2023. You are very welcome to apply for a place to start in September 2023 once the next admissions cycle opens.

You can find more information on our Clearing for international students page.

9 Do I need to wait until August to apply through Clearing?

Clearing for university places is open from 5 July 2023 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.

10 Can I apply to more than one university through Clearing?

One of the most popular questions about university Clearing. You can receive multiple verbal offers in Clearing.

However, how clearing works is you can only confirm one university course as your final choice.

When you receive a verbal offer what happens in Clearing is that a university will usually give you a deadline by which to confirm your choice.

student using a laptop to apply for clearing

11 What happens about my student loan application?

If you have already applied

If you have already applied for student finance, but will be going to a different university or studying a different course, you will need to contact the Student Loans Company to advise them of the changes as soon as you have confirmed your final Clearing choice, and register with Student Finance England.

If you have not yet applied

If you have not yet applied for student finance, you will need to apply as soon as possible for a student loan to help cover tuition fees and living expenses. Even though the initial deadline for finance applications has already passed, the Student Loans Company will still process your application.

Remember, there could be a delay in receiving your funding for the first week of term so you should  budget for this.

12 What if I decide to apply for a different course or university through Clearing?

  • First you should research what is involved in the new course and confirm that it is a good fit for you.
  • Contact universities to check whether they can make you a verbal offer in Clearing.
  • Your Clearing application will contain your original personal statement. If you wish to submit a new personal statement to reflect your interest in the new course, contact the university to ask them how to do this.
Students on their course at Brighton

13 What should I have ready for Clearing?

  • 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.

14 How do I prepare / send my portfolio for Clearing?

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.

15 How do I prepare for a Clearing interview?

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.

16 Does the university consider students through Adjustment?

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

17 What does referred mean on UCAS?

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.

18 Can I use Clearing to transfer to Brighton from another university?

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.

19 What is UCAS Clearing Plus?

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.

20 Can you get into Clearing with lower grades?

You can get into Clearing with lower grades because grades aren't everything that's used to decide if you get a place at university.

So, how does university clearing work if you do have lower grades?

Well, Clearing is about matching you with the courses that are available and we look at who you are and your aspirations as much as we do your examination results.

If you are unsure, call the friendly applications team 01273 644000  and they can explain more.

Sudents asking questions

21 Do universities see your other choices?

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.

22 Do I need a new personal statement for Clearing?

No you don't need a new personal statement for Clearing. Your original statement will have all the details in there.

However, one of the useful university Clearing tips you should take away is to update the university on any work experience or qualifications you've had since you completed your initial personal statement.

Writing personal statement on laptop

23 When do universities confirm your place?

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.

24 What is the latest you can apply for university?

The latest you can apply for university is mid-October, however courses will start to close so the best chance you have to get a Clearing place is to contact us on results day.

Take a look at our How to apply through Clearing guide – lots of people apply outside of the usual times and there's plenty of support you can get. 

25 Can you get rejected from Clearing?

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.

26 How do Access course students apply through Clearing?

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.

27 Do universities check your GCSE results?

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.