Today is August 15th, 2024 when A-Level results are released. For a number of students, today will be more stressful than anticipated: they will not have met the grade requirements to be accepted to university. They have to go through a process called Clearing. So, what exactly is, 'Clearing'?
The UCAS Clearing process provides an opportunity for students who haven’t secured a place at a UK university through the regular application cycle. Whether it's due to missed offer conditions, a change of course, or a late application, Clearing can help students find a university place for their chosen course. Here’s a step-by-step guide to navigating this process effectively.
What is Clearing?
Clearing is a system used by UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service) to match unplaced students with universities that still have available spots on their courses. It typically runs from early July to mid-October.
Eligibility for Clearing
You are eligible for Clearing if you:
Didn’t receive any offers: Either your application didn’t receive any offers, or you chose not to accept any.
Didn’t meet the conditions of your offers: You didn’t achieve the grades required for your conditional offers.
Applied after the June 30th deadline: Any application made after this date automatically enters Clearing.
Declined your firm place using UCAS self-release: This is a recent addition allowing students to opt for Clearing even after securing a spot.
On A-Level results day (August 15th for 2024), clearing will update at 8am with a full list of courses available. It’s important to act fast as spots fill up quickly.
How to Navigate Clearing
Research Available Courses: Begin by researching the courses available through Clearing. UCAS provides a Clearing search tool that lists available courses. Additionally, universities update their websites with available places. It’s crucial to have a clear idea of your preferred courses and institutions.
Prepare Your Information: Ensure you have your UCAS ID, personal statement, and academic results on hand. Being organized helps you act quickly when you find a suitable course.
Contact Universities: Once you identify potential courses, contact the universities directly. Aside from your UCAS ID and qualifications, prepare some reasons for wanting to enroll in the course. Universities may conduct informal interviews, so be prepared to sell yourself.
Receive Verbal Offers: If a university offers you a place, they’ll provide a verbal offer. Note down the details, including the course code and contact information. Universities usually give you a time frame to accept the offer.
Add the Clearing Choice on UCAS Track: Log into UCAS Track and add your Clearing choice. You can only add one course at a time. If the university confirms your place, it becomes your accepted offer.
Confirm Your Place: Once the university confirms, you’ll receive an official confirmation on UCAS Track, and you can proceed with registration and accommodation arrangements.
Every year, spaces at top universities (including the Russell Group) become available for a variety of different courses. Even if your grades aren't as high as you hoped, you can still find a university course that suits you and might even be a better fit than your original choice!
For more information about this process, or applying to UK universities in general, contact one of our Hermiona experts to set up a consultation.
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