Clearing 2025: How to secure a good University place

28th May 2025 by Anita Naik

Worried you have messed up your exams or made the wrong University choice? Don't worry—Clearing isn't just a backup option; it's a second chance to find the right university for you, whether you've missed your grades, changed your mind, or are applying late. Here's what you need to know.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is a system that allows students who haven't secured a university place through their UCAS application or who haven't met the grade conditions of their offers to find a new course and place. It's a second chance for students to gain university entrance, serving as a platform that connects students with universities that still have vacancies.

It's also an opportunity to get onto a course you love or even secure a place at a Russell Group university.

You can use Clearing 2025 if:

1. You're applying after June 30, 2025.

2. You didn't receive any offers through UCAS.

3. You chose not to accept any of your offers.

4. You don't meet the conditions of your offers on Results Day (August 2025).

5. You've declined your firm place on your UCAS application.

6. Your grades are better than expected. If this happens, you can "self-release" from your existing offer and participate in Clearing to look for a different course or University.

You cannot use Clearing 2025 if:

1. If you've accepted a firm offer from a university, you cannot use Clearing unless you decline your firm place.

2. You're applying to conservatoires: UCAS Conservatoires do not use Clearing to fill vacancies.

3. You want to go to Oxford or Cambridge. They don't participate in UCAS Clearing.

Are there Russell Group Universities in Clearing?

Yes, Russell Group universities do take part in Clearing. You may find limited choices from UCL, Imperial and LSE. Still, last year there were plenty of courses available from high-ranking universities like Warwick, Durham, Loughborough, Bath, Lancaster and Birmingham.

4 steps to securing a good offer through Clearing

Step 1: Prepare before Results Day

Preparing before Results Day doesn't mean you won't receive your firm offer, or that you won't get your grades. It's simply a backup plan just in case things don't go the way you have planned.

Firstly, many universities will still offer you a place if you drop a grade or two. However, it always pays to prepare for the worst by researching backup universities and new courses in advance.

While you won't know what's available through Clearing, use your knowledge of university open days and previous searches for courses to focus on universities that you may like to go to.

On Results Day, search for vacancies using the UCAS search tool. After you've found a course you're interested in, research it and then contact the University to confirm you meet the entry requirements and that they still have vacancies. If they offer you a place and you want to accept it, add the Clearing choice in your application.

Step 2: How to stand out in your clearing call

A-Levels are an important step towards your next destination, but remember that when you're a couple of steps further down the line, you won't be focusing on what happened on Results Day, which means don't go into your calls on clearing feeling like a failure or being down on yourself.

Clearing is simply another path to securing a place at a great university. Many successful students, including those who outperformed their grades, have found courses through Clearing. Here's how to stand out and feel positive about the process:

1. Be confident, clear, and prepared to sell yourself.

2. Have your UCAS ID and Clearing number, your exam results (A Levels, GCSEs, etc.), and the course code of any courses you're interested in.

3. Be prepared to explain why you want a place and share your achievements, so have some key points ready.

4. Have questions ready for them, such as asking about face-to-face time, university life, and accommodation.

Step 3: Consider alternative courses

Clearing is also your opportunity to explore alternative courses. Perhaps you've changed your mind or performed better in one course over another. If so, look for joint honours or similar courses with lower entry requirements.

For example:

Original Course: BSc Economics (A*A*A)

Alternatives: Business & Economics (AAB-ABB), Business Management with Economics (BBB) and International Business (BBB-BBC)

Original Course: BSc Psychology (A*AB, requires science subjects)

Alternatives: Psychology with Criminology (ABB-BBB) or Psychology & Sociology (BBB).

Original Course: LLB Law (A*AA-A*AB)

Alternatives: Law with Business (ABB-BBB) or Criminology & Law (BBB).

Step 4: Secure your new offer

Once you've been offered a place through Clearing, make sure you accept your offer on UCAS. You usually have 24-48 hours to add the choice, and the University will confirm your place via UCAS Track (check for updates).

You then need to update your Student Finance application with the new course details and the University, and arrange accommodation.

Be sure to check out the reading list and also try to connect with students from your University via The Student Room. In some cases, you will be able to defer to the following year if you choose to take a gap year.

If you don't find a course you want to do on Clearing and choose to reapply next year, don't forget to withdraw from UCAS for this academic year.