Your Clearing Questions Answered

Clearing is a fantastic opportunity to think about your options and find the perfect course for you, but it can also come with a lot of questions. To make things clearer, our expert Admissions team have answered some of the most frequently asked questions they receive during Clearing.

Whether things didn’t quite go to plan, you’ve changed your mind, or you’re just considering applying to university now, this guide aims to give you the clarity and confidence to take your next step.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is where all the courses that still have spaces available from across the UK are gathered.  You’ll be able to see on the UCAs website what courses are still available, and what their entry requirements are.  From the courses and universities available, you can choose a course and location you like the look of and go from there.

I didn’t get the grades for my Firm choice - what do I do?

Check your UCAS Hub firstly – your Firm choice may have been flexible with what they were looking for and confirmed your place anyway.  If they haven’t yet made a decision, they may have added a reason why so that you know what they are waiting for and if you need to do anything.  If UCAS confirms that your Firm choice has indeed rejected you, you’ll then get considered by your Insurance choice based on the offer you had from them.

My Firm and Insurance choice rejected me - what do I do?

At this stage, you will enter Clearing and are able to start looking for an alternative university/course that will accept you based on the grades you have received.

Will universities contact me if they have a space available?

If you’ve signed up for Clearing Plus this year, then yes - they likely will contact you.  UCAS will match your course interests and your grades with universities who are also taking part in Clearing Plus, then those universities will try to contact you and let you know what they have available for you.  You can then decide if any of those options appeal to you.  If they do appeal and you want to take up an offer, the university you’ve chosen will tell you what you need to do next.

I didn’t sign up for Clearing Plus - does that mean I’m out of options?

Not at all.  In that case, you enter the traditional ‘Clearing’ process and need to start to gather a shortlist of universities and courses that appeal to you, and that are looking for grades similar to yours.  When you have narrowed this down, you need to contact them, tell them your situation and find out if they’ll make you an offer.

Do I REALLY need to call universities to get a Clearing place?

Traditionally, Clearing used to revolve around picking up the phone and talking to each university you are interested in and seeing what they say.  Today though, many more universities have multiple options for contacting them during the Clearing period.  We have a webchat function on our website that connects you directly with the admissions team for example, as well as a form you can fill in prior to results day that lets us know you are interested in one of our courses.  You can also email if you prefer.  Just bear in mind, though, that very popular courses can fill up very quickly on results day; if you’re after a particularly popular course, you may indeed have to pick up the phone and call.

Can my family call on my behalf on Results Day?

Universities will have processes in place to help students who struggle with particular means of communication.  We’d be happy to discuss your application with your parent or guardian, for example, providing that you’re with them and give us permission to talk to them when they call up.  However, universities really do value talking to you as an applicant if that is at all possible.  We can get all the information we need from your much quicker that way, and directly answer any questions you have at the same time.

Accepted into my Firm and Insurance, but reconsidering my options – can I go into Clearing?

You can indeed; you can self-release into Clearing via your UCAS Hub, which will decline your place at your Firm and Insurance (if you have one) choices.  Be warned though, that you will lose these places if you release into Clearing.  Be absolutely sure you don’t want to go to either of these choices before you take the big step of releasing yourself into Clearing!

If I want to decline my Firm and Insurance choices and apply somewhere else, what should I do first?

You should start by contacting the universities that you’re interested in that have places available and are looking for similar grades to what you’ve achieved.  If the university you chose can make an offer, they would let you know and usually confirm that in writing via email, so you can feel more certain of going back into your UCAS Hub and declining your original offers.

Will accommodation be full?

This really depends on where you’ve chosen through Clearing.  At Wrexham University, we may have some rooms still available around results day, but you’ll need to check this with our admissions team when you make your initial Clearing contact.  Be clear that you’ll need accommodation when you enquire about your course, and the university you’re speaking to will be able to let you know what options are still available.

Final tips for Clearing

It always helps to plan ahead.  If you’re getting nervous about your grades before results day, it may help you to start to narrow down potential Clearing choices so that you have a head-start on the day itself.  You will likely feel more reassured that you have a plan in place should things not go as planned.  On results day itself, you can then start working through your pre-prepared list ahead of everyone else just thinking about Clearing for the first time that morning.

Finally, Clearing today is a really positive opportunity to find a place on a course that you might not have considered when first applying.  Treat it as a positive chance to find the course and university that’s perfect for you and take the time you need to make your final decision.  At Wrexham University, we won’t apply any time limits to any offers we make to you during Clearing, so take as long as you need to figure out the best option for you.  We look forward to talking to you (or emailing or webchatting)!

Clearing might seem daunting at first, but it’s also a chance to take control and find where you truly belong. If you still have questions or want to talk through your options, our friendly Admissions team is here to help. Call them on 01978 293439, make an online enquiry, or email enquiries@wrexham.ac.uk.