A level results: A guide to university 'clearing'

  • Wales
Sixth form and college students across the UK will get their exam results this morning. Credit: PA Images

If you haven't got the A level results you were hoping for, try not to stress. You can still apply for university courses through a process called 'clearing'.

This is an important route to university entry not just for people who missed out on the grades they wanted, but also for students who have changed their mind about an offer, or a course, or have applied late.

One in ten undergraduates got their places through clearing last year.

The 'clearing' process means finding courses that still have vacancies and contacting the course providers directly to see if they will offer you a place.

Students can log onto the tracking section of the UCAS website from 8am today to see if their place has been confirmed, or if they are eligible to go through clearing.

Many students will also be getting their Welsh Baccalaureate Advanced Diploma results. Credit: PA Images

How will I know if I need to go through clearing?

Check whether you are eligible for clearing on your Track page on the UCAS website. You will automatically be entered into clearing if:

  • You will have automatically been entered into clearing if:

  • You missed both your firm and insurance offers

  • You didn't receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)

  • You applied to UCAS after 30 June

How does clearing work?

If a university offers you a place on a course, you must still formally apply through the UCAS website. The university will give you a date by which you must enter their course details on your Track page.

Don't feel that you have to accept the first offer you receive. You can receive as many offers as you like, but may only apply for one.

To formally apply, you need to click on your 'Add Clearing choice' button and enter the course details. You can only enter details for one choice.

One in ten students gained university entry through clearing last year. Credit: PA Images

Some key facts about clearing:

  • Clearing is an important route into university - around one in ten students who started university last year got their place this way.

  • Of the 30% of students not accepted to their firm 'first' choice, around two thirds still get a university place - about half through their insurance choice and half through clearing.

  • Almost all UCAS universities use clearing for some of their courses - including those with the highest entry requirements.

  • But don't leave it too late - about half of people using clearing will be placed by the Monday after results day.

  • If clearing isn't right for you now, there's always next year. Around half of 18 year olds who didn't get in to university apply again the next year. And around 90% of them get in second time.

Experienced careers advisers are also ready to discuss the range of options open to students on the Exam Results Helpline, which is funded by the Department for Education, on 0808 100 8000.