Clearing - What Do I Need To Know?

14 August 2013, 06:00 | Updated: 30 March 2016, 13:50

Clearing is a service that operates between mid-July and September. 

You can take part in Clearing if you have already applied through UCAS and you are in one of the following categories:
* You have not received any offers. 
* You have declined all your offers or not responded by the due date. 
* Your offers have not been confirmed because you have not met the conditions (eg you have not achieved the required grades) 
* You have declined a changed course, a changed date of entry and/or changed point of entry offer. 
* You applied for one course which has been declined/unsuccessful and you have paid the full application fee - £22 for 2012 
* You sent your application to UCAS after 30th June 

If you only made a single choice on your original application, you can pay a further £11 and apply to other universities and colleges through Clearing. 

Last year almost 52,000 people got a place at university through Clearing, so there is a good chance you will too.

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* Go onto UCAS website for help and support 

* Browse the Clearing 2013 vacancies and dedicated Clearing 2012 apps at any time on results day - you won't be able to make a formal choice until around 5.00pm. At that time an 'add Clearing choice' button will appear on your UCAS Track 'choices' screen. 

* Make sure you get in touch with Universities earlier in the day so you can get a provisional offer from them

* Check the websites of the Univerisities you want to go to for contact numbers and information about what to do next 

* Make sure you have your A Level grades, your UCAS identification number and a pen and paper with you BEFORE you phone
 
* Ask any questions you might have about the course you're applying to 

* Act quickly - no matter how disappointed you might be with your grades, the quicker you act, the more chance that you'll get a result you want 

* Use the #ucasclearing hashtag on Twitter to find the latest information from us and other students.

Who Can I Talk To?
If you need help applying through Clearing or have a query about your application, call the UCAS helpline on 0871 468 0 468 . Lines are open from 07:00 - 19:00 on results day. 

For independent advice on the full range of post-exam options (e.g., not just applying to University) call the Exam Results Helpline on 0808 100 8000 . Lines are open from 08:00 - 20:00 on results day.