Last year, 77,110 students used Clearing to find a space at university, with 26,000 of them declining places at their chosen university and using Clearing to find a new course.
This year, Clearing opens on 2 July and runs until 19 October. You can apply for a number of reasons, including if you didn’t receive any offers, you declined the offers you were initially given, you didn’t meet the required results on conditional offers, or you did better than expected and want to trade up to a course or university with higher entry requirements.
This year, thousands more students will take their first steps into higher education via Clearing – and if you’re one of them, it pays to know what to expect. Here are 11 things you need to know before you take the plunge.
1 You can start prepping now
You do not have to wait until results day to start thinking about Clearing: if you’re worried you might not get the grades you need, now’s the time to explore the process and the options available to you. If you do eventually enter Clearing, it’ll be a lot less stressful if you know what to expect.
2 You could still get into your chosen uni
If you did not achieve the results you need, there’s still a chance you might be accepted by one of the universities that made you a conditional offer – either on your chosen course or on an alternative one that might have different entry grades. Start by giving them a call to see if they might be able to offer you a place.
3 You can search by course or by university
Universities taking part in Clearing will often have a dedicated page on their website – for example, the University of York’s Clearing 2026 page allows students to sign up for advice and updates in advance and explore courses online. Alternatively, if there’s a particular course you’re interested in, you can use the UCAS search tool to find spaces and discover courses that could be right for you.
4 It pays to be quick off the mark
Clearing opens at 8am on results day, which is 13 August. Picking up the phone and calling the Clearing phone line is the best way to find out if you could be accepted on your chosen course via Clearing, and is preferred by most universities. You have to make the call yourself – someone else can’t do it for you – but if you really cannot use the phone, there are usually other ways of getting in touch with universities: via email, online forms or live chat.
5 You’ll need a notepad and pen
Before picking up the phone, jot down your key Clearing details, including your UCAS ID number, the UCAS code of the course you’re applying for, your subjects and grades (including your GCSEs) and your Clearing number. Think about why you’re interested in the course and write some reminders, alongside any questions you might have that will help you make your decision. It’s also helpful to take notes throughout the call – and, if you get a verbal offer, ask for a follow-up email so you have it confirmed in writing.
6 Universities are there to help
Universities want to find the right students just as much as you want to find the right course, and they’re there to help make the Clearing process as stress-free as possible. Most, including the University of York, will have a Clearing hub to help you navigate the journey. If you have any questions, the admissions team should be happy to help.
7 There is no need to panic
When you enter Clearing, it can be tempting to leap at the first opportunity that comes your way. But even though you’re going in a new direction, it’s still important to make sure the university and course you choose are right for you. There are thousands of spaces out there waiting to be filled, so don’t jump the gun.
8 You need to be flexible …
You might have had your heart set on a particular course or university, but if that’s not feasible, you need to think about the best alternatives. If you have a particular career path or long-term ambition in mind, it’s worth exploring other courses that could help you reach your goals. For example, you might consider pursuing a Biomedical Sciences degree instead of Medicine, or Sociology with Criminology instead of Law.
9 … and persistent
If you do not get an offer from the first university you call, do not be disheartened: pick up the phone and try your next choice. You don’t have to settle on your first offer, either. If there are a few places you’re interested in, you can keep trying and decide on your final choice later on, as long as the offers are still valid – so make sure you make a note of the deadline when you call.
10 Clearing courses aren’t ‘less than’
Each university has its own targets when it comes to filling places, and plenty of them use Clearing as a way of finding the right students to meet them. When Clearing places are offered by prestigious Russell Group universities such as the University of York – which is in the top 30 most-targeted universities (High Fliers’ The Graduate Market in 2026 report) by the UK’s leading graduate employers – you know they’re worth going for.
11 Your offer needs to be officially accepted
Once you’ve found the right course for you and been offered a place, you need to add your Clearing choice on your UCAS application so it can be accepted – Clearing applicants can refer themselves to their chosen course from 1pm on results day. Then, once it’s official, it’s time to start celebrating …
Find your place at the University of York through Clearing
