Everything you need to know about applying to uni through Clearing this year.
Waiting to find out if you’ve got into the uni you want can be super stressful. But don’t panic. If your results aren’t what you were hoping for, or you have a change of heart, there’s a second chance at scoring your dream university place by applying for a course through Clearing.
According to UCAS, over 50,000 students apply for their uni course through Clearing every year, and over 30,000 courses are listed each year. So, chances are you’ve probably heard of it, but how does it actually work?
The last thing you need on A-Level results day is the stress of figuring out how to find a new course to apply for. We get it. So we’ve created this guide where you can find out when Clearing opens this year, what to expect and even tips for your Clearing calls. Here's everything you need to know about how it works in 2026.
Last updated: 14th August 2025
In this article:
What is Clearing?
Clearing is when UCAS advertises university courses that haven’t had places filled yet. It gives students another opportunity to secure their university place, especially if they didn’t get the results they wanted.
So if you’ve:
Changed your mind about your course
Missed the application deadline
Didn't meet the entry requirements for your original choice
Clearing is there to give you that second chance.
Key dates for Clearing 2026
This year, Clearing opens on 2nd July 2026 and closes 19th October 2026. You need your results to enter Clearing, so most students will apply from results day.
A-Level results day (in England, Wales and NI) is 13th August 2026 and SQA results day for students based in Scotland is 4th August 2026, so you’ll have plenty of time to apply through Clearing.
Not sure when your results actually land? Our guide to exam results dates in 2026 breaks it down by qualification.
What is Clearing Plus?
Clearing Plus is a tool from UCAS that helps match your application to courses that would be suitable and that you'd be likely to be accepted onto.
Long gone are the days of trawling through pages of courses to figure out what their requirements are. Clearing Plus works at finding the best course for students, but also for universities to find suitable candidates for their courses.
Universities will tell UCAS what courses are available and the entry requirements. UCAS will then cross-reference this information with your application to find a perfect match. You'll be able to access this in your UCAS Hub application by clicking 'see matches'. This will present your top matches.
You don't have to use Clearing Plus, but if you're feeling a bit overwhelmed by the process, then it's a useful tool to get a shortlist. It's worth checking as soon as your results come through, since universities can also use it to reach out to you directly.
How does university Clearing work?
On your BTEC or A-levels results day, you’ll be able to check your UCAS account and see whether you’ve been accepted to your chosen course and university. If you didn’t, you’ll be able to see that you’re eligible for Clearing, and find your Clearing number. Make a note of this as you’ll need to pass it on to universities when you ring them up.
You won’t be able to see your actual grades on your UCAS account, so you’ll still need to pick these up on results day which is why it's best to head to your sixth form or college early in the morning if you can.
You’ll be able to start searching for courses and phoning universities to chat about the course you’re interested in. Getting organised before you dial can make the process smoother, so have the following to hand:
Clearing number
UCAS Personal ID
A-Level/GCSE exam grades
How do I add a Clearing choice in UCAS?
After you've spoken to a university and they've confirmed the course is still available, you meet the entry requirements, and they can offer you a place, you can add your choice in UCAS. To do this, first:
Log in to UCAS, open your application, and head to the 'Your Choices' section.
Click: 'Add Clearing choice'.
Enter the details of the course you've chosen and confirm.
You can only add one Clearing choice at a time, and it's always best to wait until you've spoken to the university first.
Am I eligible for Clearing?
You're eligible for Clearing if you didn't get the grades for your firm or insurance choice or if you were too late to submit an application through UCAS initially. If you missed the deadline, you can apply directly to universities through Clearing once you've registered with UCAS. We've got all the UCAS application deadlines to help you stay on top of it.
But that's not all. If you decide that maybe your chosen course isn't quite right for you, you can self-release into Clearing. Just know this can't be undone, so make sure it's what you want before you do it. There are a few different reasons why you might decide Clearing is right for you.
How to prepare for a Clearing Call
Before you pick up the phone, make sure you've got:
Decent phone signal (find a quiet spot with good reception)
Pen and paper, or a laptop, for notes
A bit of research done on the course and why you want to study there
James Ackroyd, Director of Global Recruitment & Admissions at the University of Reading, puts it simply: "Contacting a university about Clearing vacancies might seem like a daunting process, but I want to assure you that it really isn't. First and foremost, you need to remember that you’re in control, so make sure that the university and course you’re choosing are the right ones for you."
Common Clearing interview questions
Your calls to universities can be five-minute confirmation of your details and grades before they offer you a place. But some unis like to do a mini-interview, so it’s worth being prepared for any questions you may be asked and re-reviewing your personal statement, in case they ask about what you wrote.
It’s a good opportunity for you to ask them questions you might have about the course or campus. Interviews can be goosebump-inducing but thinking of them as a two-way conversation instead of a one-sided Q&A can make them a bit easier.
A few deep breaths and taking your time can make all the difference to your nerves when answering questions - and remember, they’re not trying to catch you out, they just want to find out about you! Find a few common questions they might ask below.
Why do you want to study this course?
Probably the most common question that you’ll come across, even if they have no follow-up. The university will likely want to understand your motivations and interests and what drew you to the subject specifically — so have a genuine answer ready. . You can be prepared for this question by having a look at the course description and modules and thinking about what interests you about that particular course.
Why have you chosen this university?
Show you've done your homework on what makes the institution a good fit for you. The universities you speak to will likely be interested in why you’ve chosen that particular uni. But not only that, but doing some research on your potential new home can also help you make your decision on where to apply to.
Why do you think you got a low grade?
If you’ve got a low grade that stands out on your results transcript, the university might ask about it. Be honest rather than defensive — talk through what happened and what you'd do differently, rather than making excuses. Remember, unis aren’t there to catch you out.
Why have you chosen a different course to the one you originally applied for?
There’s no right or wrong answer, they’ll just want to know why you chose to go a different route, and might ask about your experience with the new subject choice. Be ready to explain why.
Applying to Clearing after A gap year
If you've taken a gap year after getting your results, you can apply for a university place through Clearing from the 2nd July 2026, but only for immediate entry that same year. Deferred places aren't available through Clearing itself, so if you want to defer, that needs to be agreed with the university directly before results day.
Entry requirements in Clearing
Some universities lower their entry requirements for courses with a lot of vacancies, though this varies a lot by institution and subject. It's worth having a few backup options in mind, especially for competitive courses — our list of the best non-Russell Group universities in the UK is a good place to start if you're widening your search.
How many Clearing choices can I add?
You can only add one Clearing choice into UCAS at a time, once you have a verbal offer from your chosen university. When you add this choice, your Clearing number won’t be available to use anymore. But you can ring up and speak to as many universities as you want about the course you want to study before you commit to adding one.
What to do after you've accepted a Clearing offer
Congrats! You’ve done the hard bit and got your offer sorted through Clearing. Once you've got an offer:
Check your accepted place shows up on your UCAS profile
Update your student finance application online so your loan isn't delayed — our student finance FAQ covers what you need to do
Start planning for freshers — check out our freshers' week guide to get ahead of the chaos (don’t worry, we’ve got a uni checklist for that.)
Applying directly to universities
If you don't want to use UCAS, then you might be able to apply for a uni place directly. Not all universities will have this as an option, and the process might look a little different. If you see a course you want to enrol on, then contact the university admissions team. They'll be able to advise whether they accept direct applications, and how best to proceed.
How much does Clearing cost?
There's no extra fee for using Clearing itself. For 2026 entry, UCAS charges a single flat application fee of £28.95, whether you apply through Clearing or the main application cycle, and however many choices you make. This fee may be waived if you're eligible for free school meals or are a care leaver — check with UCAS directly if you think this applies to you.
Once you're in, keeping costs down matters even more — our guide on how to budget as a student is worth a read before term starts.
Who to contact during Clearing
UCAS main line
Phone: 0371 468 0 468 (or +44 330 3330 230 from outside the UK)
Hours: Monday–Friday, 08:30–18:00 (opens at 08:00 on Thursday 13 August, results day)
Text Relay (for hearing difficulties): 18001 0371 468 0 468
Exam results helpline – England
Phone: 0800 100 900
Dates: 13–28 August 2026
Hours: 08:00–20:00 Monday–Friday; 10:00–17:00 Saturdays
Exam results helpline – Scotland
Phone: 0808 100 8000
Dates: 4–7 August 2026
Hours: 08:00–20:00 (4–5 August); 09:00–17:00 (6–7 August)
The England helpline is run by the National Careers Service, and the Scotland helpline by Skills Development Scotland — both are free and staffed by trained advisers, not UCAS itself, so don't worry about them seeing your application.
You can find more information about who to contact on the UCAS website.
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