Every year, many students miss the grades for their conditional offer and find themselves without a university or college place. If this happens to you, don't worry. You may still be able to secure a higher education place through clearing.
Results day
If you've only just missed your grades, contact the university or college that offered you the conditional place. There may still be opportunities on your preferred course. If the course is not full, there may be room for negotiation regarding your grades.
If the university or college that gave you a conditional offer still cannot offer you a place, then you can turn to the clearing system.
When you are either rejected from or have declined the courses on your UCAS form, UCAS will send you a Clearing Entry Form (CEF). The form gives you a second chance to get into university or college by allowing you to apply to a further two university courses requiring the grades that you have actually received. Do not use the form until the university you want has agreed to make you an offer and follow our steps below to help you secure a place.
Find a course through clearing
Course vacancies throughout the UK are published on the UCAS website and in daily newspapers after the A level results have been published.
Look through the details and record the names of the courses you're interested in.
Check that you meet the minimum requirements of the courses. These will be listed in the vacancy information.
Think of all the questions you have about the course and why you are interested in the course. Make a list of what qualities you will bring to the course. You need this information for the next step - contacting the admissions tutor for the course.
Phone the admissions tutor for the course you are interested in. Contact details will be listed with the vacancy information.
Answer any questions the admissions tutor asks you. This is your chance to show how much you are interested in the course and what qualities you will bring to the course.
If you are successful, you will be asked to send the university or college your CEF form.
Accepting an offer through clearing
Don't rush into a decision! Do take time to do some background research so you are confident you can spend three or four years at that institution. See choosing a course.
Most universities and colleges have open days or can arrange someone to show you around before you accept their offer. You can also arrange to discuss your support needs with a member of the Learning Support Team and find out the support linked to the programme you are interested in.
If you realise the course or university isn't right for you, keep looking. There's a good chance that you'll find similar options somewhere else.
When you know you want to accept the course offer, send off your Clearing Entry Form to the university concerned. They will check the details and notify UCAS.
You will then either receive confirmation of a place or you will receive your form back if you are not accepted. If you are not accepted, or you decline your offer, you can then use your form to apply to a second institution in the same way.