How many clearing choices can you have

Many universities will send confirmation messages automatically to a list of their applicants. Make arrangements with your school to get access to your results if you can't get them online.

Check the university has the right email address and that your inbox is set up to receive messages from them. After you've celebrated, you can start thinking about preparing to go to university. The university may be able to offer you an alternative, similar course, for example via joint honours or with a foundation year.

Some students will be unhappy with what they were awarded, but there are options. Read more about how to appeal your A Level results and find out the best course of action. Clearing is available for students who don't get their required grades, don't receive an offer, haven't yet applied or have chosen to self-release.

UCAS Clearing is a way of matching universities without students to students without a university place. Many students are eligible. UCAS applications received after the deadline, or students who miss their grade target, are automatically entered into Clearing. Clearing self-release allows students who are already holding a university place to release themselves into Clearing rather than wait for their original choice of university to release them.

Those who haven't yet applied to any universities can also apply through Clearing once they have their results. Don't forget you'll need a reference as well as your personal statement. John, a Senior Tutor at Warwick School, shares a common misconception about Clearing many used to have that's no longer the case:.

A positive attitude can go a long way to being successful in Clearing. Make a list of universities and their phone numbers and email addresses.

Think about what you might say beforehand and make notes if you need to. When you call universities, be positive about yourself and the university. Remember you're competing for places with other students.

Make the call yourself unless you have a disability preventing this. Be prepared to say why you want to study that particular course at that particular institution and what you can offer. Be ready to answer questions on your exam results, your motivation and your experience. Prepare your own questions to ask. If you're not immediately successful, don't give up. Keep ringing — your persistence will pay off.

Calls are best as emails may not be responded to immediately. Remember, getting a place through Clearing isn't as difficult as it sounds, and you may be surprised at the number of vacancies. However, depending on your results there'll be some courses and universities that'll be unattainable, and recognising this early on will save you a lot of time. You will then be able to apply again through Clearing. Once you have your place confirmed its time to prepare for university!

Check out our blog on Getting Ready for Uni and our what will life be life after lockdown blog. Need accommodation for September? We still have availability at many of our halls across the UK and Ireland. Social Media Kindness Day has an aim of making the internet a better and safer place for everyone.

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If you want a deferred offer, make sure you tell the university as soon as you contact them that you want to defer your place, although don't be disappointed if they say no. This way, you'll have the choice of all universities and courses rather than just the limited selection available through Clearing. You'll also have the advantage of knowing your grades when reapplying, so you can make more informed choices. Clearing officially closes on 19th October However, most people won't take that long to find a suitable place.

It depends how quickly you can make your mind up where you want to go. Many people wish to visit several universities, and they may have special open days set up to help with your choice. Of course, if you entered Clearing by getting released from your firm or insurance choice then you might not actually be eligible for up to 2 weeks after Clearing has opened.

In this case, the Clearing process will take longer for you. In a nutshell: do not do this. Consider the fact that if you are on holiday, it will be hard to discuss things with the universities you're interested in applying to, plus your phone bill will be pretty expensive! Also, how will you get your results anyway? Check out your copy of the Telegraph , which you should have bought on your way to pick up your results. The first step in the Clearing process is contacting the university s by phone or email — not applying.

Before calling up the university, make sure you have some decent notes written down on why you want to study this particular course and why you want to attend this university. Have a copy of your personal statement with you, and make any notes on your achievements, etc.

Highlight any particularly good results you got, e. Tell them if there are specific areas of the course that you are interested in and why. It will take several or more things to get yourself accepted on to a course, so be well prepared to sell yourself to the university.

If you sound enthusiastic and knowledgeable about the course and university, they will be more likely to ask you to apply. Do not rush to dial the university — take some time to prepare yourself. As the old saying goes, you never get a second chance to make a first impression! You should always try to phone the university — this means YOU and not your parents. Make sure you have your notes, a pen, spare paper and your UCAS number with you when you call. The university will be busy fielding calls, so expect to wait before you can speak to someone.

Phone is the most direct way of contacting the university, and if you try another way such as email, you may have to wait a while for them to get back to you. If this is the case, you will be told that an admissions tutor will call you back later, or you may be asked to call them. When you speak to an admissions tutor, you will normally have an informal discussion with them, but remember that you need to sell yourself and portray yourself in the best possible light to stand a chance of being asked to apply.

You will find that some universities guarantee accommodation to those entering through Clearing, which is good if the uni you have been asked to ally to offers this. This you will be able to find out on their website, or certainly at their Open Day at least there will be plenty of people to ask.

If the university you are applying to can not guarantee you accommodation, they will help you find somewhere to stay. Discuss things with your parents, your teachers, and even your friends if they are not too busy sorting out their own university place. You can talk to UCAS by phoning This is just for queries about your application, or for general Clearing enquiries - they won't offer you any advice on which university or course you should apply to, etc. This can show you the areas of study you may be interested in, although if you have already applied then you've probably either completed this test or have found the information elsewhere.

You can also email: customer sqa. Skills Development Scotland's exam helpline offers advice on careers and university and college vacancies.

The helpline will be open from 8am—8pm on 9th and 10th August and 9am—5pm until 17th August. Call Learn Direct can offer careers advice, and advise you on a wide range of courses in the UK.

They can help you decide if university is the right step for you, and tell you about other courses or possibilities. You can visit their website, phone them for free on , or email them at: contactus learndirect.

Skip to main content. UCAS Clearing What is Clearing? You can participate in Clearing if you have already applied through UCAS and one of the following situations applies to you: You have not received any offers.

You have declined all your offers or not responded by the due date.