Clearing Guide

Clearing 2026: a student's guide

Results Day did not go the way you hoped, or you have changed your mind about what or where to study. Either way, Clearing is not a consolation prize — it is how tens of thousands of students find a place each year. This guide explains what Clearing is, the key 2026 dates, who is eligible, and how to apply step by step.

By Henry Lin, Founder of TutorDex · Published 15 September 2026 · Updated 15 September 2026

What is Clearing?

Clearing is the period when universities and colleges fill the places that are still free on their courses. UCAS lists more than 30,000 courses with vacancies, and more than 50,000 students are accepted through Clearing in a typical year.

It is a common misconception that Clearing is only for low-demand courses or universities. Popular subjects and well-regarded institutions list vacancies too, because applicants miss their grades, change their minds or decline offers. Clearing is best treated as another route to a good place, not a step down.

The only official list of vacancies is the UCAS Clearing search tool. Universities update it regularly, so what is available one day may change the next.

Key dates for Clearing 2026

Clearing runs through the summer and early autumn. The dates below are for the 2026 entry cycle.

DateWhenWhat it means
Clearing opensThursday 2 July 2026Vacancies begin to appear in the UCAS search tool.
A Level Results DayThursday 13 August 2026The main wave of vacancies is released as applicants miss or decline offers.
Clearing closesMonday 19 October 2026The final date to add a Clearing choice for the 2026 cycle.

The majority of vacancies appear around A Level Results Day, but courses open and close throughout the period. If you already have your results and no offers, you can use Clearing from when it opens in July; if you were waiting on conditional offers, you can add a Clearing choice from Results Day.

Am I eligible for Clearing?

You can use Clearing if you are not already holding a place and a course still has vacancies. In practice, you will be eligible if any of the following applies:

  • You applied after the main UCAS deadline of 30 June.
  • You did not receive any offers, or none that you wanted to accept.
  • You did not meet the conditions of your firm and insurance offers.
  • You declined your firm place using the "decline my place" button.

If you are eligible, a unique Clearing number appears under "Application status" in your UCAS application. You will need it when you call universities. You must also have paid the UCAS application fee.

What your UCAS status means

When you log in, your application can show one of several messages. The most common are:

  • Waiting for confirmation: a university is still deciding, usually because it is waiting on results.
  • You are in Clearing / Clearing has started: you are eligible and can add a Clearing choice.
  • Unconditional: your place at your firm or insurance choice is confirmed — you do not need to do anything further.
  • Unsuccessful: the conditions of your offers were not met, so you are now in Clearing.
  • Changed course offer: a similar course, sometimes with lower entry requirements or a deferred start, has been offered instead.

Your exam grades do not appear in UCAS — you collect those from your school or college. UCAS only shows whether your offers have been met.

How to find a Clearing place

Start with the official UCAS search tool and filter by subject, university or entry requirements. A few things are worth remembering as you browse:

  • You can change subject. You are not tied to your original choice; related subjects, joint honours courses and subjects you did not study at A Level may all be open to you.
  • Read the course details. Check how it is structured, which modules you will take, how long it lasts and what the entry requirements are before you commit.
  • Keep checking. Places appear and disappear as applicants accept or decline offers, so revisit the search over several days.
  • Try Clearing matches. If you are unplaced, UCAS suggests up to 50 courses based on your application, and universities may contact you if you register interest and meet their requirements.

How to add a Clearing choice

You cannot add a Clearing choice until a university has told you it will accept you. The usual sequence is:

  • Call the university. Give your Clearing number and Personal ID so they can find your application, and ask whether they will accept you — including if you applied to them earlier and were unsuccessful.
  • Ask the practical questions. Check whether accommodation is available on campus and whether you can visit in person or take a virtual tour.
  • Collect informal offers. You can speak to several universities and gather more than one verbal offer before deciding.
  • Add the choice. Once a university confirms it is happy to accept you, click "Add Clearing choice" and enter the course details. You can only add one choice at a time.

Adding a Clearing choice counts as accepting the offer, so only do it when you are sure. If the university does not confirm your place, you can add another choice. Clearing does not carry an extra fee — your original UCAS application fee covers it.

Preparing for Results Day

Clearing moves quickly on Results Day, so a little preparation goes a long way:

  • Have your details ready. Know where to find your Clearing number and Personal ID, and keep a copy of your personal statement and your grades to hand.
  • Research in advance. Before the day, note two or three courses and universities you would genuinely consider, along with their hotline numbers.
  • Make the calls yourself. Admissions staff want to speak to you, not a parent or friend, so be ready to talk about why the course interests you.
  • Find a quiet space. Use a charged phone in a calm room, and keep a pen and paper for offer details and deadlines.
  • Stay open-minded but not desperate. Clearing is a chance to reconsider, not a reason to accept anything. You can take a gap year, work, or resit and reapply if nothing fits.
  • Use your support network. Teachers, tutors, careers advisers and the National Careers Service exam results helpline (0800 100 900) can all help.

Frequently asked questions

When does Clearing open and close in 2026?
Clearing is open from Thursday 2 July to Monday 19 October 2026. Courses fill throughout the period, so it is worth acting as soon as you have your results.
Do I automatically go into Clearing?
You are placed in Clearing if you do not meet the conditions of your offers or if you applied after 30 June and hold no offers. You can also enter Clearing by declining your firm place.
Do I have to decline my offer to use Clearing?
Yes, if you are holding an offer and want to apply for a different course, you must decline your place before adding a Clearing choice. If you want to switch courses at the same university, contact them first — they may be able to change it without you declining.
How many universities can I apply to in Clearing?
You can contact as many universities as you like and collect several informal offers, but you can only add one Clearing choice at a time. If a university does not confirm your place, you can add another.
Is Clearing first come, first served?
Yes. Universities fill vacancies as applications are received, so early action gives you the widest choice.
Can I get into a university that rejected me through Clearing?
Often yes, particularly if your grades are better than expected or the course now has vacancies. It is always worth calling to ask.
Do universities accept lower grades in Clearing?
Sometimes. Entry requirements can be more flexible when a course has vacancies, but it depends on the course and how much demand there is.
Which universities do not take part in Clearing?
Most UK universities and colleges take part. Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London and the London School of Economics generally do not. UCAS Conservatoires also do not use Clearing; check directly with individual conservatoires.
Is there a fee for Clearing?
No. Clearing does not carry an extra charge — the original UCAS application fee covers it.

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