How to prepare for Clearing
Whether you're feeling calm or full of nerves, a bit of planning can make a huge difference.
Results day can move quickly, so here鈥檚 how to stay in control and make informed decisions:
Get your details in order
Make sure you know how to access your UCAS Hub and have your login details to hand.
Explore your options
Have a shortlist of alternative universities and courses, just in case things don鈥檛 go as expected 鈥� it鈥檚 smart to have a few routes in mind.
Charge your phone and devices
You鈥檒l likely be making calls, sending emails or jumping into live chats 鈥� don鈥檛 get caught out with a flat battery.
Keep key info accessible
Note down your UCAS ID, your qualification results, key points from your personal statement, and any details about universities or courses you鈥檙e interested in.
Stay calm and open-minded
If you find yourself going through Clearing, remember it鈥檚 a great opportunity to explore new paths 鈥� many students secure brilliant places this way.
Other helpful information
Results day: what you鈥檒l need to know
If you've prepped well, you鈥檒l feel more in control 鈥� but here鈥檚 some additional information to help you on the day itself.
How to reach us
- Apply: complete our Clearing self-apply form where you can upload copies of your certificates.
- Phone: call us on 01642 738400 to speak with one of our team about your options.
- Online chat: chat with our virtual assistant for instant support and application guidance.
Key times to note
UCAS Hub opens on Thursday 13 August at 8.00am 鈥� you can check your application status (though not your grades).
Clearing applications can be formally referred from 1.00pm, but you don鈥檛 need to wait until then to explore your options or speak to universities.
Take your time to make the right decision 鈥� but don鈥檛 delay reaching out to the universities you鈥檙e most interested in.
Ask for support
You don鈥檛 have to go through it alone. Teachers, advisors, friends, and university staff are all here to help. Don鈥檛 hesitate to ask questions 鈥� there鈥檚 no such thing as a silly one if it helps you feel more confident in your choices.
Speaking to universities during Clearing
Calling a university can feel like a big step, but it鈥檚 a key part of Clearing, and one you can prepare for.
Have your essentials ready
Make sure you鈥檝e got your UCAS ID, Clearing number (if you have one), your qualification results and a note of the course(s) you鈥檙e interested in. Think about what attracted you to the course and what you might want to know more about.
Stay connected
Keep your phone and laptop close by 鈥� you may need to log into UCAS Hub or double-check course details online as you make your decisions.
Be confident 鈥� it鈥檚 your future
The team on the phone are there to help you. They understand how stressful this can feel and will do everything they can to support you. Lines may be busy, so you might have to wait 鈥� be patient, and try to stay calm.
Make the call yourself
It鈥檚 important that you speak to the university directly 鈥� not your parent, friend or teacher. We鈥檙e not allowed to share personal details without your permission, and it鈥檚 vital you feel in control of your decision.
Take notes
If you鈥檙e speaking to several universities it鈥檚 easy to lose track. Make sure you write down all of your offers and keep a record of essential information like contact details.
Take your own space
It's completely up to you how and where you open your results. If you鈥檇 rather take a moment on your own, that鈥檚 absolutely fine. Do what makes you feel most comfortable.
And while it can be tempting to scroll through social media, it鈥檚 OK to take a break. Everyone鈥檚 experience is different, and comparing your journey to someone else鈥檚 doesn鈥檛 tell the full story. Focus on your goals, not someone else鈥檚 timeline.
Map out your options
Not sure where to start? Write down the universities you're interested in and what you like or aren鈥檛 sure about. Think about location, course content, student life 鈥� anything that matters to you. A simple pros and cons list can really help clarify things.
Want to know more?
Visit our official Clearing guide or call the Clearing hotline to speak to an advisor. You can also join a one of our open days or campus tour to get a feel for life at 海角直播.