What is UCAS Clearing?
Clearing is like a matchmaking process: it matches up students who don’t have any offers with universities who have course places to fill.
You can use Clearing if:
- You’re applying after 30 June
- You didn’t receive any offers (or none you wanted to accept)
- You didn’t meet the conditions of your offers
- You’ve declined your firm place using the ‘decline my place’ button in your application
Note: Courses in Clearing aren’t just the ones nobody wants, there are many reasons why courses are still available. It’s an opportunity for those who have missed their conditions, or had a last minute change of heart about the university or course they want to study.
Key Dates for UCAS Clearing 2026
- Opens – 2nd July 2026
- Closes – 19th October 2026
What’s the difference between UCAS Extra and Clearing?
UCAS Extra and Clearing can be easily confused. But there are some big differences between the two!
| UCAS Extra | UCAS Clearing |
| Opens earlier in the application process | Opens later, after Extra closes |
| Runs from 26 February to 1 July 2026 | Runs from 2 July to 19 October 2026 |
| For students who used all five choices and are not holding any offers | For students who hold no offers, declined all offers, applying late, or changing plans |
| You apply for one additional choice through UCAS Hub | You contact universities directly to discuss vacancies |
| Universities can take time to respond | Decisions are often made much faster, sometimes during a phone call |
How Clearing works?
Here’s the process in simple steps:
- Search for available courses: Use the UCAS search tool to browse universities with vacancies from 2 July onwards.
- Contact universities directly: Call or email the universities you’re interested in. You’ll usually need:
- Your Clearing number
- UCAS Personal ID
- Your grades
- Discuss your application: Universities may ask questions about your grades, personal statement, or why you want to study the course.
- Receive informal offers: If the university is interested, they may give you a verbal offer over the phone or by email.
- Add your Clearing choice in UCAS Hub: Once a university gives permission, you officially add the course as your Clearing choice in UCAS Hub.
- University confirms your place: When the university accepts your choice, your UCAS status updates to confirm.
- Prepare for university: After confirmation, you can arrange accommodation, student finance, and enrolment.
Note: Universities cannot make decisions on Clearing choices during the UCAS results embargo (a short period before results day when universities can see students’ results early but are not allowed to share decisions yet). During this time, UCAS Hub will not update. For 2026 entry, the embargo periods run from 28 July to 4 August (SQA results) and 7 August to 13 August (A level/JCQ results).
Conclusion
Clearing can feel overwhelming at first, but it’s designed to help students move forward, not fall behind. From 2 July onwards, thousands of courses become available across the UK, giving you another opportunity to find the right university and course for you.
The key is not to panic or rush into the first offer you receive. Take time to research courses, compare universities carefully, and speak to admissions teams before making your decision.
