Understanding what is UCAS Clearing: your second chance at a UK university
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- Published: 20 June 2025
Picture this: you've spent months or even years dreaming of studying in the UK, imagining yourself exploring historic campuses, making lifelong friends, and immersing yourself in a world-class education at a renowned institution.
But then, results day arrives, and things don't go quite as planned. Maybe your grades weren't what you hoped for, or perhaps you've simply had a change of heart about your university choices.
It's a situation that many students face, and it can feel like a major setback. But while it's natural to feel a bit lost at first, don't despair! The UCAS Clearing process is a lifeline to help you connect with and enrol in the right university and course. Rather than being a ‘last resort’, think of Clearing as a matchmaking service between you and universities with unfilled places. It's your second chance to make your UK study dreams come true.
Read on to find out more about UCAS Clearing, how to apply for Clearing, and how IDP can help you navigate the Clearing process.
What is UCAS Clearing?
UCAS Clearing opens up annually–it's a system designed to help students who haven't yet secured a university place, or who want to explore alternative options, find courses with vacancies. It's like a last-minute shopping spree for university places, and you're the savvy shopper!
Universities list their available courses on the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) website, and it's up to you to proactively contact them and express your interest. Clearing is a pretty fast-paced and competitive process as it only lasts several months; in 2025, the process takes place between 5 July to 20 October. So it's important to be prepared, organised, and ready to act quickly, as places can fill up fast.
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Knowing your eligibility for UCAS Clearing
Now that you know what UCAS Clearing is, let's make sure you're eligible before jumping into the process. Here's a quick checklist to see if you qualify:
You applied to university after the deadline (which is 30 June in 2025): if you missed the main UCAS application deadline, Clearing is your gateway to applying to UK universities.
You didn't receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept): perhaps your grades didn't quite meet the entry requirements or the offers you received just didn't feel right.
You didn't meet the conditions of your offers: if you fell short of the grades or other conditions specified in your offers, Clearing is your chance to explore other possibilities.
You declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in the application portal: maybe you had a change of heart or circumstances. Clearing allows you to reconsider your options.
How UCAS Clearing works
The UCAS Clearing process might seem a bit overwhelming at first, but it's not impossible to navigate. Here's a simplified breakdown:
Check your eligibility: double-check that you meet the Clearing eligibility criteria mentioned above.
Search for Clearing vacancies: universities list their available courses on the UCAS website. Use the website’s search tool to filter by subject, location, and other preferences.
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Receive an informal offer (verbal): if the university thinks you're a good fit, they'll give you a verbal offer. Make sure you note down the offer details and the deadline to add it to your UCAS application.
Add your Clearing choice in UCAS: log in to your UCAS Hub and add the course as your Clearing choice. Remember, you can only add one choice at a time. The university will then confirm your place if everything is in order.
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