How to Secure a Last-Minute University Place in UCAS Clearing 2024
A-level results day is a moment of joy and triumph for many students, as they prepare for life at the university of their choice. However, for some, it can be a highly stressful time if their results don’t go as planned and they narrowly miss their required grades. In such situations, many students still secure places at their insurance choices, but there are also those who miss the mark altogether and need to enter UCAS’s Clearing process to find an alternative institution. On the flip side, students who perform better than their predicted grades can also use the system to find an alternative university.
University chiefs are anticipating a record number of pupils to use Clearing to “trade up” this year, as more prestigious courses are added to the system. Here, we detail everything you need to know about the Clearing process and how to secure a place at university regardless of the outcome.
### Understanding Clearing
Clearing is the system of matching students with available spaces on university or college courses. Students can enter Clearing to find a course if they have not met the grades outlined in their offers. Additionally, they can use the system if they are considering changing to a different course because their grades are better than predicted, after declining their original place.
Last year, a record number of 18-year-olds secured a university place using Clearing, with over 38,000 students utilizing the system to find a degree. This marked a 14% increase compared to the previous year, with a third of all pupils who used Clearing securing a better offer than their original one.
### Timing of Clearing Process
Students will be able to access their university applications through UCAS starting from 8 am on Thursday, August 15. Simultaneously, students will receive the breakdown of all their exam results by attending their school or college, or having them emailed or sent in the post. They can also arrange for a relative or friend to pick up their results.
Ucas Hub will start updating from around 8:15 am for A-level students, showing the status of their university offers, which could include a confirmed place at their firm choice, a confirmed place at their insurance choice, or neither – making them eligible for Clearing. It may also include more unusual options, such as students being offered a place on a different course at their firm university choice, which usually happens when pupils miss their main offer.
Clearing opens at 1 pm on Thursday, August 15, and will remain open until October 21. However, some courses may close before this deadline, depending on their popularity.
### Universities and Courses in Clearing
The vast majority of universities in the UK have courses available through Clearing, including some of the top institutions in the country. The Russell Group, which represents 24 world-class, research-intensive universities, has 18 of them offering at least one course through Clearing this year.
Some universities announce whether they have places as early as July 5 to allow students to research vacant courses and universities and prepare for a range of scenarios. Others wait until pupils receive their A-level grades before making courses available.
Notably, Oxford and Cambridge do not offer places through Clearing. However, there has been a shift in recent years, with oversubscribed courses like medicine now being available through Clearing. Extra places on competitive courses are expected to be made available, including courses like medicine, dentistry, and nursing.
### Utilizing Clearing Plus
Clearing Plus, introduced in 2020, offers assistance to anyone who is unplaced or applying for the first time through Clearing. By looking for a button in Track marked ‘View Matches,’ students can see courses that Ucas considers suitable based on their original choices, qualifications, and grades.
If a student finds a course they like, they can hit ‘Interested’ for the university or college to contact them. However, courses in Clearing fill up quickly, and not all students may receive a call. Therefore, students are advised to also search for courses in Clearing using the search tool. It’s important to note that expressing interest in a course through Clearing Plus does not guarantee an offer.
### Making Decisions in Clearing
In Clearing, students must call universities or colleges to secure a place before adding them as a choice in their application. They will need their Personal ID number, Clearing number, grades/UCAS tariff points, information about why they want a place, the university name, phone number, course code, and title.
When making the call, find a quiet space, and be positive and polite while speaking to the university or college representative. Take your time to make an informed decision, seeking advice from family members, friends, and teachers. Only add a Clearing choice once permission is granted by the university or college. Students can only add one choice at a time, with any confirmation coming through Ucas Track and email.
In conclusion, entering UCAS Clearing can be a valuable opportunity for students to secure a university place, even if their initial results were not as expected. By understanding the process, being proactive in exploring available courses, and making informed decisions, students can navigate Clearing successfully and find the right path for their higher education journey.
