What is UCAS Clearing?
5 min read · updated 2026-09-01
Clearing is UCAS's matching system for students without a confirmed university place after results day: it places tens of thousands of students every August, and going in prepared makes it a genuine second route rather than a failure.
Who uses Clearing
- ✓ Students whose grades missed their offers
- ✓ Students who applied late in the cycle
- ✓ Students who declined their offers to reapply or change course
- ✓ Students whose place was withdrawn after a remark
How it works, step by step
Clearing opens in July and runs through September, with the busiest days immediately after A-Level results in August. Students receive their Clearing number in UCAS Hub, search published course vacancies (listed live on university sites and UCAS), call universities directly with their grades and Clearing number, and add a Clearing choice in the Hub once an offer is made verbally and confirmed.
How to prepare before results day
Make a shortlist of courses likely to be in Clearing with their phone numbers, prepare a 60-second summary of grades and circumstances, and have documents ready. Students who call early on results morning get the best course options; popularity drops as places fill.
FAQs
Is Clearing only for students who failed?＋
No. Students use it to trade up after better-than-expected grades (via Adjustment-style matching), change course direction, or find places after late applications.
Are Clearing courses worse?＋
Many are simply under-subscribed at good universities. Judge each course on its merits: ranking, modules, and outcomes rather than how it was found.
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