What is Clearing? Your questions answered

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

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Top Clearing FAQs: The most common Clearing questions 

  1. What is Clearing?
  2. Can I apply through Clearing?
  3. What do universities look for in applicants when they make offers?
  4. When does Clearing start and when does Clearing end?
  5. Can I still apply for uni?
  6. What courses are available through Clearing?
  7. Who can use Clearing for university entry?
  8. What financial help is there for students in Clearing?
  9. Clearing and T-Levels: Do universities accept T-Levels in Clearing?
  10. Do I need to wait until August to apply through Clearing?
  11. Can I apply to more than one university through Clearing?
  12. What happens about my student loan application?
  13. What if I decide to apply for a different course or university through Clearing?
  14. What should I have ready for Clearing?
  15. How do I prepare / send my portfolio for Clearing?
  16. How do I prepare for a Clearing interview?
  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 I need a new personal statement for Clearing?
  22. When do universities confirm your place?
  23. When can I apply through Clearing?
  24. Can you get rejected from Clearing?
  25. How do Access course students apply through Clearing?
  26. Do universities check your GCSE results?
  27. When can I add a Clearing Choice?
  28. Do I need to be in UCAS to apply through Clearing?

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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 a course that's right for you. It also allows you to find a place at university if you don't yet hold an offer.

You can still find a place in Clearing even if you have not applied via UCAS already.  You can contact the university directly. Call us on 01273 644000 and we’ll talk you through your next steps to find a course.

student adviser helping young people through clearing

2 Can I apply through Clearing?

You can apply for Clearing if you already have your A-level, BTEC, IB, Access course or equivalent level exam grades and you are not holding any university offers.

Am I eligible for Clearing with my exam grades?

Call us on 01273 644000 to discuss your situation. If you are eligible with your current exam grades our admissions team could make you an offer.

3 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.

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4 When does Clearing start and when does Clearing end?

UCAS Clearing starts officially on 5 July 2025, 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 contacting universities by phone. Our Clearing hotline is: 01273 644000.

When does Clearing end?

  • If you are applying to us through the UCAS system Clearing ends on 20 October 2025.

5 Can I still apply for uni?

Is it too late to apply for uni? No. Until the Clearing deadline (20 October 2025) you can call us on 01273 644000. There will always be people here to help you.

6 What courses are available though Clearing?

Once Clearing is open you can use our course finder to find out what courses are available through Clearing.

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
  • you are a UK, European, Irish or international student.
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8 What financial help is there for students in Clearing?

You can get some financial aid for your studies if you apply through Clearing.

If you are eligible for Student Finance England loans for tuition fees and living costs, you will also receive these if you apply through Clearing. You may also be eligible for our bursaries and scholarships.

At Brighton, students applying through Clearing are also eligible for the Brighton Boost. Through the Boost you could receive between £200–£500, £500–£700 towards your travel to study costs depending where you live.

Other Boosts include free campus parking for eligible students, free technology loans and our student job hub.
 
It's also worth checking what's included in your tuition fee, it could be more that you think.

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9 Clearing and T-levels: Do universities accept T-levels during Clearing?

Some universities will accept T-levels during Clearing in 2025, however, we don’t accept them for all courses. Take a look at Clearing courses you might be interested in and you'll find everything you need to know in the entry requirements section. 

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

Clearing for university places is open from 5 July 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 from 5 July.
  • 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 call our Clearing hotline 01273 644000 on results day on Thursday 14 August 2025.

11 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, you can only confirm one university course as your final choice. When you receive a verbal offer in Clearing the university will usually give you a deadline by which to confirm your choice.

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12 What happens about my student loan application?

If you've not already done so, you can apply online for your student loan via the Student Finance website.

13 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.
A group of students on laptops

14 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 a link to our Confirmation of Clearing Acceptance form when you call us.
  • Your date of birth, postal address, email address and phone number. For creative media, arts and architecture courses, a link to your online digital portfolio.
  • If you're unsure, you can get more information about applying through Clearing by looking around our site.

15 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.

16 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.

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?

Yes, you can transfer to another university through Clearing. Call us on 01273 644000 and we'll talk you through your options.

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.

A student in headphones on a laptop

21 Do I need a new personal statement for Clearing?

No you don't need a new personal statement for Clearing - unless you've changed your mind on which course or subject you want to study.

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.

Illustration student drawing

22 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.

23 When can I apply through Clearing?

You can apply through UCAS Clearing when you receive your exam results: for A-levels this will be on 14 August 2025. You apply to uni through Clearing by adding our offer as your first choice on UCAS Hub. Clearing opens early at Brighton so you can get useful advice from our applications team. Give us a call: 01273 644000.

24 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.

25 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.

Many Access students will get their results in July. 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.

26 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.

27 When can I add a Clearing Choice?

If you receive a Clearing offer in July or early August before the main exam results day, you can add a Clearing choice on UCAS as soon as you receive your offer. There are some periods when UCAS will not be available due to the exam results embargo, but call us and we’ll be able to reassure you.

On the main exam results day, you can add a Clearing choice from 1pm (UK time) on Thursday 14 August 2025.  You must secure a Clearing offer from a university first. You can only accept one Clearing choice.

28 Do I need to be in UCAS to apply through Clearing?

You don't have to be in UCAS to apply through Clearing.  If you don’t have a UCAS account, you can still get an offer and we’ll talk you through how to accept it using our Confirmation of Clearing Acceptance form.