If you want to study for an undergraduate degree in the UK, there are several ways of applying, and one of them is Clearing. The option is available to both UK nationals and International students (EU nationals included), and it works in the same way for everyone. Please read the guide below to learn how it works.
What is University Clearing
Clearing is a process of applying to undergraduate courses in UK higher education which allows universities to fill places that are still available after the initial application round has ended. The regular process typically has deadlines in January for courses starting in the fall of the next academic year.
The regular UK undergraduate application
Undergraduate students in the UK apply through UCAS, a centralised platform for all applications where each applicant can choose up to 5 options (different programmes that can be at the same university or at different universities). For these 5 options, you create a single application with a single personal statement. After your application is reviewed, for each choice, you can receive:
an unconditional offer (which means you definitely have a place without any other restrictions and can accept it straight away)
a conditional offer (which means you get a place only if you meet certain conditions, usually they request a minimum grade at your A-levels or equivalent or a minimum score for your English test if you’re applying from a non-English speaking country),
a rejection
How does University Clearing work
The first question is when does University Clearing start? Clearing takes place from the 5th of June until the 18th of October. It is for you if any one of the following applies to you:
you missed the original deadline
you weren’t accepted in any of your original choices
you declined all your offers
you changed your mind about the subject you want to study
you gained better marks in exams than it was expected, so you wish to apply for a programme with higher requirements.
Now, let’s see what are the exact steps of applying through Clearing:
Use the UCAS search tool to find available programmes through Clearing
When you find something you like, call the university directly and enquire about that programme. Check that the position is still available and that you meet the entry requirements.
You can only add one Clearing choice to your UCAS account, so you should call more unis that have programmes you like and get several informal offers over the phone.
Once the university confirms that you can apply, add the choice to your account. This means you accept their offer.
What is Clearing Plus?
Clearing Plus is available only to students who applied on time but were unsuccessful with their application and are using Clearing for the first time. What it does is automatically matches you with options available through Clearing based on your original choices and your qualifications. From there, you can select which options you’re interested in, and the universities will receive your profile. If they like your profile, they will call you. In the meantime, you can still find programmes and call directly.
As a final thought, you should remember that applying through Clearing is not something to be ashamed of, and if you start uni through Clearing rather than the typical route doesn’t mean you are disadvantaged in any way. The important thing is to get a place in the programme you most desire.