UNIVERSITIES across the UK are opening Clearing today, giving students who missed out on their preferred choices another chance to bag a spot on a course.

Here is what you need to know about Clearing and how it works.

A Level Results, Newbury, BerksThis year, A-level results day falls on Thursday, August 13 Credit: David Hartley

Who can use Ucas Clearing?

Clearing is an increasingly popular way for students to find their place at .

More than 77,000 students used this option in 2025, according to data from WhatUni? .

There are many reasons why you may want to use Clearing:

  • You have missed your predicted grades and do not have a confirmed university place;
  • You have done better than expected and want to apply to a university with higher entry requirements;
  • You have been offered a place at your insurance choice university which you do not want to accept;
  • You have changed your mind about the course you want to study or about the university where you want to go;
  • You did not apply to university during the main application window.

This includes international students — who are advised to apply through Clearing as soon as they receive their grades to allow enough time for their visa application.

There is no age limit to applying to university, and this includes Clearing.

Mature students can enter Clearing as soon as it opens on July 2 since they do not need to wait for their grades to be released.

When does Ucas clearing open?

Clearing choices will become available to students from 1pm on A-level results day – Thursday, August 13.

The Clearing process itself opened on July 2, 2026, allowing students to see the courses with free spots and plan ahead.

However, they cannot actually enter Clearing until they have received their grades.

Students have been able to access their applications from 8am today, when the embargo was lifted.

Individual records typically process across the system between 8am and 8.15am.

The Ucas Hub tells you where you stand with your firm and insurance university choices.

It could show one of the following outcomes:

  • Your place at your first choice is confirmed
  • You have been placed at your backup
  • You have been offered a changed course, which might mean a different course, a different start date or a different point of entry
  • Your application is still awaiting a decision
  • You are eligible for Clearing

Students can only use Clearing once their status says they are eligible, or when they have formally declined or released themselves from a place they are holding.

How does Ucas Clearing work on results day?

Follow these simple steps to make your way through Clearing as smooth as possible:

  1. Collect your results: Your grades will be available from 8am on the results day. Read more on how to collect them .
  2. Get your details ready: Log into the Ucas Hub to see if you are eligible for Clearing, and get your Clearing number, Ucas ID and results. If you have a confirmed place, you will have to decline this first and release yourself into Clearing.
  3. Contact universities: Start calling the unis on your shortlist. Most universities have a dedicated phone number on their website for this purpose, often called ‘Clearing hotline’.
  4. Secure your place: Once you have a verbal offer, sign into the Ucas Hub again and add the Clearing course. The university will then confirm the offer and your account will say ‘Clearing accepted’.

Bear in mind that Ucas Clearing runs on a first-come-first-serve basis, so it is a good idea to get calling on the results day.