Unsure about how to apply through Clearing after getting better-than-expected grades? These are the most frequently asked questions about the process.
Updated: 18 Mar 2025
Sam went through the Clearing process after getting better-than-expected grades. Hear his story.
You’re eligible for Clearing if you hold a conditional offer of study but meet and exceed the conditions of that offer on results day. Your offer will then become unconditional.
You can start to use Clearing when your conditional firm choice changes to an unconditional firm choice. You’ll see this change when you log in to your UCAS Hub account.
You have five calendar days to use Clearing from the moment you register.
You accept a Clearing offer over the phone. The university you call will make you a verbal offer for a place on their course. If you accept the offer, the university will notify UCAS and the change will be made on your UCAS Hub account.
You’ll need your UCAS ID number along with the name and code of the course you’re interested in. It also helps to have your personal statement, results and any questions you’d like to ask the university.
You'll only lose your original offer if you accept a Clearing offer over the phone. You'll hold your place on your original course if you don’t find a course through Clearing.
No, your conditional offer must become unconditional before you can use Clearing.
Yes, your offer will need to be unconditional to use Clearing.
There's no limit to the number of Clearing offers you can get, but you can only accept one. If you’re made an offer over the phone, don’t feel compelled to accept it straight away. You can take your time to get advice from your parents, guardians or teachers and then call the university back.
If you do accept the offer but change your mind at a later point, you’ll no longer be guaranteed a place on your original firm choice. You’ll have to call the university that made you a firm offer, explain your situation and see if they can still offer you a place.
You won’t need to do anything. Registering for Clearing won’t affect your confirmed place unless you accept a verbal offer over the phone.
Universities will often guarantee you a room in one of their halls of residence. The uni’s accommodation team will reach out to you once you confirm your Clearing offer.
Research what student accommodation options there are early so you can secure a room quickly. Each university’s website will have a list of available student accommodation.
If you’ve already sorted your student loan or maintenance loan before Clearing, you’ll need to update your student finance details once you change course. You can do this by logging in to your student finance account. Give them a call if you’re unsure.