Clearing FAQs

When does Clearing start and end?

UCAS Clearing is open from Friday 5 July 2024 and closes on Monday 21 October 2024.

Am I eligible to apply through Clearing?

You can apply for university Clearing courses if:

  • You are applying for university late (after 30 June)
  • You have not met the conditions of your offers
  • You are not holding any offers (or chose not to receive any that you did)
  • You have changed your mind about where or what you want to study (and have chosen to decline your firm offer using the ‘Decline my place’ button on UCAS Hub (formerly UCAS Track).
  • The application fee for 2024 entry is £27

Clearing is not just for A-level students. BTEC, IB, access, mature, international students and others can apply through Clearing too.

We suggest that you begin your search as early as possible. To find out more about our university Clearing courses, start your search today.

Read further FAQs about if you have accepted a place at another university, but want to come to University College Birmingham instead lower down this page. This includes if you want to apply for an adjustment to University College Birmingham if you have met and exceeded your original conditional firm offer conditions.

What courses can I apply to through Clearing?

You can check which University College Birmingham undergraduate courses have places left by clicking 'Find a course’ buttons on this page, from which you can search and view each undergraduate course page. You can also find vacancies on our courses using the UCAS search tool from July.

How do I apply?

You can sign up now for updates and guidance from University College Birmingham's friendly, knowledgeable Admissions team – who will give you more information on the Clearing process.

Just fill in our quick form so we know the best way to get in touch!

Or, if you’d rather call us directly - our Admissions team are ready and waiting to speak to you on 0121 604 1040.*
*Calls to our Admission team number are free of charge.

Make sure you have got all the correct documentation together, including your UCAS personal ID, academic results etc when results day comes. This should all help to make it as stress free as possible.

To help you decide if University College Birmingham is the right choice for you, why not attend our Clearing Open Day on Saturday 17 August. Fill in our clearing form and you will receive more information on how to book your place. In the meantime, you can take a look around on our virtual tour.

Can I apply through Clearing before results day?

If you’re waiting to receive your exam results and are worried you might not get the results you need to get into your first or second choice universities, you might be wondering if you can apply through Clearing before results day.

Although you’ll need to wait until you receive your exam results before you can officially apply through Clearing, you can still prepare now and find the course that is right for you, as well as do the necessary research into things such as your accommodation, Student Finance and your new uni city, ensuring you are fully prepared to avoid the rush of results day and take your application forwards quickly and stress-free.

If you already have your results, but aren't holding an offer from a university, you can apply anytime from Friday 5 July when Clearing opens. Give our friendly Admissions team a call on 0121 604 1040, or fill out our form to register your interest.

I have accepted a place at another university, but would like to come to University College Birmingham. What do I need? to do now?

If your place is confirmed with another university, we can only offer you a place if you are released from your original course choice into Clearing or you are eligible for adjustment.

To be released, you will need to contact your firm choice university and ask them to release you into Clearing. This will be at their discretion.

What is adjustment and how do I make an adjustment to University College Birmingham?

Adjustment is for students who have met and exceeded their original conditional firm offer conditions and want to look for a place at a different university based on these higher results. Adjustment is available from A-level results day until 31 August. To apply for adjustment to University College Birmingham, call our Clearing hotline on 0121 604 1040.

Do universities accept lower grades through Clearing?

Clearing is about matching you up with a course that is available and suited to your aspirations, as much as it is your grades. So do not panic if you do not get the grades you had hoped for.

We will take other things into consideration such as your reasons for wanting to join the course, your passion for doing so, the UCAS points you have accumulated, your personal statement, and the way that you approach speaking with our Admissions team.

How do I cope with the potential stress of Clearing?

Make a plan. Just in case you do not get the grades you need for your firm or insurance choices. And prepare yourself for that possibility of things not going the way you’d like them to.

Start researching Clearing courses early so that you can create a shortlist and approach universities early too. They will no doubt have teams in place to answer any of your questions and help you along your Clearing journey.

If you are feeling stressed at any point, talk to your family members, teachers and tutors. They are there to help and support you through your Clearing journey too.

Being prepared and getting everything in order ahead of results day will make the day much less stressful – and mean that you are already sure of what you want to do should you not get the grades you were hoping for.

There are also lots of mental health resources that you can access for free from organisations such as Student Minds – the UK’s student mental health charity. They specialise in student wellbeing and have created Student Space to help young people manage stress and anxiety, and find support.

How do I secure student finance after Clearing?

If you do accept an offer through Clearing, you will need to make sure you get your student loan.

The process for this will be different depending on if you are using Clearing for your first application, or if you previously applied for university, and for funding, in the initial application phase.

If you have already applied for funding, but have changed your university or course choice, you will need to let Student Finance know as soon as possible so that you receive your full entitlement. It is fairly simple to update your details:

  1. Log into your Student Finance account
  2. Go to ‘Your Account’, and select ‘Change your Application’
  3. Select ‘University / College and Course’ to make the change.

If this is your first application to university this year, and you haven’t applied for finance previously, you will need to apply as soon as possible to give yourself the best chance of receiving your loan in time for the start of your course.

You can register and apply at the Gov website also.

If you do face a delay in getting your funding, contact the university to let us know.

Students from Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales will need to apply or update their Student Finance details at their respective websites.

The GOV website is the best place to go for the most up-to-date information and guidance.

Where can I find my Clearing number?

If you're eligible for Clearing, your Clearing number will be on the welcome page and on the 'Your choices' section of UCAS Hub.

How do I reply to a Clearing offer on UCAS?

You don't need to reply to a Clearing offer. Once you add a Clearing choice, it is then up to the university to confirm your place in UCAS Hub.

Why hasn't UCAS Hub updated?

UCAS Hub will update once the university makes a decision. If you've met the conditions of your offer, your place will be confirmed shortly.

Can I swap my firm and insurance choices?

Unfortunately, you cannot swap your firm and insurance choices. If you have decided that you now want to attend your insurance choice instead, you will need to go through Clearing. You need to check with your insurance choice university that they are able to accept you through Clearing.

I am holding a place at University College Birmingham, but wish to be released into Clearing. What do I do?

If you are currently holding a place at University College Birmingham and no longer wish to take this place, please call our Clearing hotline on 0121 604 1040 and ask to be released into Clearing. If you wish to be completely withdrawn from UCAS, or if you would still like to hold a place at University College Birmingham, but defer for one year, we can also do this for you by calling our hotline. Alternatively, please complete our enquiry form here.

What happens after I have been given an unconditional offer at University College Birmingham?

At the end of July, you will receive your online welcome information for your chosen course. This includes the following:

• Welcome information including lots of information on University College Birmingham

• Enrolment and induction information specifically for your course

• Uniform and equipment information you need for your course

• Specific course information

• Any pre-reading your year manager would like you to read before starting the course

• Information for courses that require a DBS check

• Information for courses that require Fitness to Practice

We can't wait to welcome you to the university!

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