Before results day
Do your research
- Draw up a list of alternative universities that offer the courses you are interested in so you're prepared on results day if you don't get the grades you need or do better than you expected.
- If possible, visit universities you're interested in before results day if you can. This will help you decide which one you want to go for when you get your Clearing offers.
- Most universities offer campus tours or Open Days around Clearing.
Prepare for Clearing
Collect all the documents and information you'll need on results day:
- Your UCAS number, Clearing number.
- Your UCAS points, A-level and GCSE grades.
- Make a note of Clearing phone numbers and opening times so you're ready to go first thing on results day.
On results day
Get on the phone
- Start calling the universities and colleges you're interested in as early as you can.
- Think of the phone call as an interview. Plan what you're going to say - why you want to study the course, why you got a low grade at A-level, your deep interest in a subject.
- These are all things that could get you a verbal offer which you can confirm later.
Be flexible
If there aren't any places on the course you want to do, you could consider a joint honours or similar course that does have spaces. It could lead to the same or similar careers.
Check out the university
Not had a chance to visit the university offering you a place? You can get an idea of what the vibe is like on their website, Facebook and YouTube pages. We are also running campus tours at all three campuses throughout A-level results week.
Decide on a course
If the university confirms that it will accept you, you can then add the choice in Track in the 'Your Choices' section. Don't forget that you can speak to as many universities and colleges as you like in Clearing, but you can only add one Clearing choice at a time – the one you want to accept.
Enter your Clearing choice on UCAS Track
The earliest you can submit your decision through Clearing is 3pm on A-level results day. This allows you to research the course and institutions properly before making any decision.
Only enter a Clearing choice on UCAS Track if you have spoken to the university and have been offered a provisional place.
Clearing success story
Many students have gone on to success after joining us through Clearing. Hear their stories.
Get ahead of the UCAS Clearing queue on results day. Sign up for Priority Clearing at the University of Greenwich in May.
