Clearing is a system that helps people who have applied to
UCAS (The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service)
but who do not have a university or college place, to find out
where there are still openings for study starting in
September/October 2008.
Clearing allows you to apply for courses which have not been filled through the autumn university admissions process.
Last year, more than 35,000 students entered university or college through Clearing - so if you are flexible and act quickly you have a good chance of getting into Higher Education.
Clearing starts as soon as A level, and A level equivalent, results are announced
- In Scotland on the 7th August 2008 (online on 6th August 2008)
- In England and Wales on 14th August 2008 and runs until 20th September 2008, but you need to be quick off the mark and act quickly – the available places will soon be snapped up!
WHO CAN APPLY THROUGH CLEARING?
You must not be holding any offers from universities or colleges – either because you did not receive any offers or because your offer was not confirmed when your exam results came out.
If you already have an offer of a place from a university or college you cannot apply through Clearing unless the university or college is willing to release you from your commitment to them.
All applicants for the scheme should receive Clearing Passports by 1st September 2008.
WHEN DO I NEED TO START LOOKING AT CLEARING?
As soon as you know that you are not holding an offer on or after 14th August 2008, you need to look at the course listings in newspapers or on the web and contact the college or university that is offering a course you are interested in.
You do need to be quick off the mark or you may miss out on the course you want to study!
WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO APPLY THROUGH CLEARING?
1. Decide what you want to Study - universities have many more subjects on offer than schools; don't be afraid to find out about something different
2. Decide where you want to study - do you want to live at home? Do you want to go to university or college somewhere that you know? Do you want to discover a new part of the country? Do you want to study in a city or not?
3. Look for the courses and places you are interested in on the clearing lists in the newspapers or on the UCAS vacancy service website (open from 14th August 2008 at 00.01 hrs) - or ring the UCAS telephone hotline to see what courses are on offer and where. (Telephone 0870 1122211 Open Monday to Friday from 8:00 am to 6:00 pm BST)
4. Contact the university or college directly - ask the university or college about the course, tell them what qualifications you have and check out whether you are eligible for a place. Most universities and colleges will have a special clearing website and a hotline number specially for Clearing applicants. Look to see if they offer a special clearing visit day or open day or ask if you can visit them.
5. Shop around and find out what is open to you. You can only apply to one place at a time through Clearing - you only have one Clearing Passport and that needs to be given to the university or college to decide whether to offer you a place or not. Find out what is available as quickly as you can, but don't jump at the first offer you get unless it is exactly what you want. Be sure that you have found what you want before sending or giving in your Clearing Passport.
6. Complete and send or take in your Clearing Passport - If you find a course you are interested in and the university or college say they are keen to accept you, you will need to complete your Clearing Passport and send it or take it in to that university or college.
Most colleges and universities will have a clearing hotline telephone number to ring and a contact person or section that you can talk to about courses.
WHERE CAN I GO FOR ADVICE TO HELP ME DECIDE?
Admissions Staff at the universities and colleges can offer advice on suitable courses and entry requirements. For some courses they are able to offer a place over the phone to suitably qualified applicants, alternatively they can arrange for you to have an interview or an audition where necessary.
WHERE CAN I LOOK FOR INFORMATION ABOUT COURSES WITH SPARE PLACES DURING CLEARING?
The UCAS interactive Clearing course vacancy service will be available on the UCAS website http://www.ucas.com/clearing/index.html from 14th August 2008 (at 00.01hrs). The service will be updated continually throughout the Clearing period.
Official listings of current course vacancies will be published in the Independent newspaper and The Independent on Sunday newspaper.
USEFUL TELEPHONE HELP LINES
BBC Exam Results Campaign
The Exam results helpline will be available from 14 August to 24 August 2006 to offer free, independent and confidential advice and guidance on Clearing. Well-trained advisers will be able to give you information on post-exam options, course choices, course availability and even your current status in the clearing process. Telephone 0808 100 8000.
Radio 1, XTRA and BBC switch.
There will be on-air information and advice for Higher and Standard, A level, AS and GCSE students from Tuesday 5 August. The website www.bbc.co.uk/surgery has information for students on entering university, college and employment, Clearing, gap years, finance and more.
Radio 2
Programmes for students and parents will be broadcast on Radio 2. Visit the website www.bbc.co.uk/radio2/studentessentials for more information.
USEFUL WEBSITES
Aimhigher - Provides information about institutions and instructions on how to apply for courses during Clearing http://www.aimhigher.ac.uk/applying_for_a_course/
Connexions-Direct - Connexions staff can assist with confidential and impartial advice on a wide range of issues including personal issues, career options, employment possibilities and university or college course choices http://www.connexions-direct.com/
HERO Clearing pages - Your questions about Clearing answered. Contains detailed explanation of what Clearing is, explanation of the Clearing Entry Form (CEF) plus advice on what to do after results day. http://www.hero.ac.uk/uk/studying/applying_to_university_or_college/clearing.cfm
Independent Newspaper - Clearing information and advice. Provides the official UCAS listings of available university and college places and direct links to the UCAS vacancies database. Online version of the "Which Way?" magazine which goes to all UCAS candidates.
http://www.independent.co.uk/student/into-university/clearing/