University; it’s probably your first time away from home, your parents and all the comforts that go along with it. You’ve spent the last few months applying and keeping track of everything related to your application, and now you have to think about Clearing. Not sure what happens during Clearing? Don’t panic. Use our handy guide to help you through the Clearing process.
Clearing
Firstly, it’s important to stay calm and not worry about Clearing. If you didn’t receive any offers, if you have declined all offers (or missed the due date), if you have applied, but been declined (and paid the full fee), or if you applied after 30th June 2017, you can apply for a course through Clearing. It is a process to help match students and their actual grades to university courses.
On results day, you should keep an eye on your UCAS account. It will refresh your results and tell you if you are in Clearing. UCAS will also provide you with a ‘Clearing ID’ which you’ll need to have to hand when you contact universities. However, you should bear in mind that UCAS can sometimes experience delays due to the high volume of students – there were 1.75 million undergraduate students in 2015-2016, so just be patient. If UCAS doesn’t provide you with a clearing ID straight away, you can still talk to universities; you’ll just need to tell them that you haven’t received an ID yet.
Clearing officially opened in July, but most of the applications/placements occur once A-Level results are released (this year it’s Thursday 17th August). If applying for a place through Clearing, you should contact your preferred university, or search the UCAS website for all available courses, then contact that university. The universities will advise you, and tell you when to put your Clearing choice on UCAS Track; but don’t do this before you are asked to do so, as it may cause complications with your application. There’s no limit on the amount of university’s you can talk to, but remember you can only make one choice on UCAS. Once you’ve confirmed your choice on UCAS, your acceptance from the university will be sent to you quicker than your original application.
Choosing a course
Not sure which course to apply for? Did you know that you don’t have to select a university course that you originally applied for? Clearing allows you to choose an alternative university course if you don’t get the grades, meaning you’re not restricted to just one specific course. If you don’t get the grades required for your firm or insurance choice, it’s worth speaking to the universities before Clearing as some often allow you onto the original course. So, don’t be afraid to ask if you are still eligible for the course – you never know!
Once you’ve finalised your place at university – whether that’s through your firm or insurance choices, or through Clearing, contact us here at Host! If you’ve not yet sorted out student accommodation, we might be able to help. Lots of changes can take place on results day and Clearing. Rooms that have previously been fully booked may become available. The best way to contact us is via telephone. We will be busy and you may not be able to get through first time, but keep trying. Staff at some of our halls will be working until 10pm to help all the students who contact us.
We know that’s quite a lot to take in, so, just remember;
1. Stay calm and check the UCAS website for progress of your application
2. Take note of your Clearing ID, and contact universities
3. Contact Host and find yourself a place to call home while you study
Finally, from everyone here at Host, we’d like to wish you all the best of luck for your results. We can’t wait to welcome you all to our accommodation in September.
