Your Guide to Clearing 2026

This post is part of our "Next Stop: Uni" series which guides you through each week of the summer between finishing school and Freshers so you can start uni prepared and excited.

Next Stop: Uni by UniHomes

Sometimes, we don’t get the A-level results we were hoping for. Deep breath; it’s not the end of the world. Thanks to Clearing, you can still go to university and study a course that’s right for you.

And while it may not be A-level results day quite yet, it’s always best to be prepared for Clearing before you get your grades, just in case things don’t go as planned.

We’ve created this guide to cover everything you need to know about Clearing, so you can make informed decisions on results day without any extra stress.

What is Clearing? 🤷

Clearing is a process that allows UCAS applicants who don’t hold any university offers to find a place on a course that hasn't been filled. This means that anyone who doesn't receive any offers or doesn't meet the grade requirements of their offers can still go to university, whilst also providing a way for universities to fill any places they have remaining.

Want to know more? Read UCAS’ guidance on Clearing for more info.

How does Clearing work? ❓

Going through Clearing is easier than it sounds! You’ll be automatically enrolled if you’re eligible, and from there you’ll be able to use UCAS to search for university courses that still have places available for applicants. In fact, UCAS will actually show you relevant Clearing matches based on your original UCAS application, but you can still manually search for places yourself if you so wish.

Once you find a course that you like, all you have to do is ring the corresponding university via their Clearing phone number to see if they’ll accept you onto their course. After you receive a verbal offer, you can then go and add your Clearing choice in your UCAS Hub account, where it will then be confirmed by the university.

When does Clearing open for 2026? 📅

UCAS says that Clearing opened on 2nd July 2026.

This date is well before A-level results day (which is 13th August 2026, according to UCAS), meaning that you can apply for Clearing before your results are released! This is because Clearing isn’t just for students who don’t get the grades they need – it’s also for applicants who haven’t received any offers at all, as well as for those who have declined their firm (unconditional) choice.

When does Clearing close? ⏱️

The UCAS website states that Clearing for this year is set to close for applicants on 19th October 2026, so you have plenty of time to access the Clearing process.

Still, it’s wise to bear in mind that uni places can go quickly due to demand, so act fast if there’s a specific course that you have in mind.

How to prepare for Clearing ✅

If you’re expecting to go through Clearing this year, it’s a good idea to understand the process beforehand so you can be as prepared as possible on the day. Here’s how you can prepare:

• Make a list of your ideal universities and courses: do some research into what courses and universities you’re interested in, so that you can act fast when the times comes.

• Prepare questions: when you apply through Clearing, you’ll find yourself talking to somebody from the university over the phone. Not only will they be assessing whether you’re a good fit for the course, but you’ll also want to ask them questions about accommodation, assessments, placement opportunities, term dates… the list goes on.

• Gather proof of qualifications: you won’t have your A-level results yet, but it’s important to gather any other qualifications (like your GCSE results) in case they’re needed.

• Talk to a teacher/careers adviser: it’s a good idea to seek advice from teachers or careers advisers, whether that’s for help going through the process or guidance on what route is best for you.

• Make a list of Clearing phone numbers: it helps to have the phone numbers of the unis you’re interested in ready before results day, so that way you don’t have to scrabble around trying to find them on the day.

How to apply through Clearing 🤔

On A-level results day, you’ll find out if you’ve met the conditions for your firm and insurance university courses. If you haven’t got the grades that you need, here’s what you need to do to go through Clearing:

1. Check UCAS to see if you’ve entered Clearing

If you’re eligible for Clearing, your UCAS application will automatically update to show this. If this is the case, your Clearing number will be displayed under 'Application status' on your dashboard. You’ll need this number when applying for courses through Clearing.

2. Check the Clearing vacancies on UCAS

On UCAS, you can check which courses have spaces available. Vacancy information will be updated continually. Once you find a course you like at a university you like…

3. …Call the university

If you’ve prepped beforehand, you should have the uni’s clearing phone number to hand. Give them a ring, and be prepared to answer questions about why you want to apply to the university, why you’re interested in studying on the course, and why you’re going through Clearing.

4. Confirm your details on UCAS

Only add a Clearing choice in UCAS if you’ve discussed it with the university and they’ve agreed to consider you. If not, it may delay your application.

Remember, you can only add one Clearing choice at a time, and the only way you can add another is if the university doesn't confirm your place (so make sure you're sure that you're happy with your Clearing decision before you confirm).

5. Accept an offer

If you’re accepted, you’ll receive a confirmation letter in the post. If the university cannot offer you a place, you’ll be able to contact other institutions. If you’ve been offered a few places, you can choose to accept your preferred option.

What if I’ve done better than expected? 🥳

Clearing comes in useful here, too. If you've got better grades than you were expecting and want to apply for a different course with higher grade requirements, then all you need to do is decline your original place and self-release yourself into Clearing.

From here, you can use Clearing to search for a new course, making sure to follow the above steps when applying for your place.

What do I do after Clearing? 🌟

Celebrate! Clearing can be stressful, and you deserve to reward all your efforts in taking initiative and sorting out your future.

So go out for a meal with your parents (using the results day discounts we talk about in this blog post, of course), spend quality time with your mates, or enjoy a night out – the world’s your oyster. You can even start thinking about what to pack, all while making the most of your summer before uni (using our handy guide to help).

Find student accommodation with UniHomes 💙

Once you’ve accepted your uni offer, you’re going to need somewhere to live.

Here at UniHomes, we advertise a wide range of bills-inclusive student accommodation across the whole of the UK, from student houses and flats to spare rooms and purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA). Start your search here today to find student accommodation that's perfect for you.

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