The Ultimate Guide to Clearing 2023

It’s not too late – thousands of students got their uni place through UCAS Clearing last year. Here’s everything you need to know in our Ultimate Guide to Clearing 2023.

What is Clearing?

So, this is it – your last chance to apply for a course that still has places available for September 2023* entry. Clearing is your opportunity to consider your options and find university places that are yet to be filled. Not everyone will go through Clearing but it’s important to know it’s an option if you need it and be prepared if things don’t quite go to plan on results day.

When is Clearing 2023?

You’ll find the most up-to-date list of clearing vacancies by using the UCAS Search Tool. This will go live on Wednesday 5 July, and you’ll have until 17 October to apply. However, spaces are often filled on a first come, first served basis, so it’s best to act as soon as possible, for the best chance to get the right course for you.

Do I need to use Clearing?

It’s always a good idea to browse the clearing vacancies ahead of results day, even if you’re confident with your firm and insurance choices. There are lots of reasons why you might use Clearing to find a place at university. It could be that:

• You’ve only just decided you want to continue with your studies and you’re applying after 30 June
• You’ve had a change of heart or your circumstances have changed and you want to look at other options.
• You didn’t receive any offers from your original UCAS application or you didn’t want to accept the offers you received.
• You didn’t meet the conditions of your firm or insurance offers but still want to start university in 2023.

However, if you haven’t applied through UCAS previously, you’ve got your results and you know where you want to go and what you want to study, you may be able to apply directly to your chosen institution. Drop our admissions team a quick email on [email protected] and they’ll be able to advise you on the best application route.

What action can I take now?

If you are already holding an offer from a university or college, then you won’t be able to add a Clearing choice to your application until results day. The best thing you can do now is plan ahead by using the UCAS Search Tool to find available courses and by researching the universities you want to contact on results day.

If you haven’t already applied or you have applied and didn’t receive or accept any offers, then you can apply through Clearing before results day.

When is results day in 2023?

In 2023, A-level results day is on Thursday 17 August. Other qualifications may vary slightly. In previous years BTEC results have been released to students on the same day as A-level results so its likely to be the same this year but best to check with your college. International Baccalaureate (IB) results come out earlier on Wednesday 5 July.

What will happen on results day?

Your school or college will let you know how and when you’ll be able to pick up your exam results. However, you should be able to login to your UCAS account from 8am on Thursday 17 August to view your status. Your status will depend on the outcome of your results. Here’s a guide to the different statuses and what they mean.

For the majority of students, results day will go one of two ways:

• You get the results you need to meet the conditions of either your firm or insurance choice – Congratulations, you’re in! You’ve been firmly accepted at one of your choices. You don’t need to do anything further at this point. Track will update within 5-7 days and display your UCAS confirmation letter (AS12) which tells you more about what to do next. So go and celebrate!
• You don’t get the results you need to get onto your course – first things first, don’t panic! Check your status in UCAS Track and see if you’ve been offered an alternative course. If you’re only a few marks short you might still be considered or you may choose to appeal your results. Remember if you accept the decision, all is not lost. You can search for a place on a course that has vacancies for 2023 entry, using the UCAS Clearing Search Tool or on other websites like WhatUni. A full list of vacancies is also published in the Telegraph newspaper and some Universities will list their own vacancies on their website.

What to do if I’m in Clearing?

Your status on your UCAS account should say either ‘You are in Clearing’ or ‘Clearing has started’. You can then search the Clearing vacancies using the tools mentioned above. Remember, courses will be filling places all the time so it’s best to use the online tool if possible as this will show the most up to date list. Once you have found a course you are interested in, you will need to make contact and speak to the admissions advisor or the Clearing helpline. Make sure you have your clearing number and personal ID number to hand. Once you have a verbal offer you can go to ‘Your Choices’ section in your UCAS account and add a Clearing choice. You can usually do this from 2pm on results day.

How do I apply to UA92 through Clearing 2023? 

It’s really simple – on results day we will have a team of advisors on the phone. Or, you can email us at [email protected]. When you’re ready to speak to an advisor, have your results, UCAS Personal ID and Clearing number to hand and we will check you meet the entry requirements for the course. If all is well, we’ll make you a verbal offer over the phone and confirm via email. You can then login to your UCAS account and add the course as a clearing choice (after 2pm). You’ll need our institution code, which is U01 and the course code for the course you are applying for.

That’s it! You’re all done. We’ll invite you to one of the UA92 Clearing Open Day events and you’ll receive more information by email over the following days. So, relax, take a breath and get ready for starting your course in September.*

*We offer alternative start dates in November, January, February, April and June.