Clearing helps match students to university places that are still available.

It’s open to anyone who has applied through UCAS but doesn’t currently hold an offer, and it runs from early July to late October.

Your child may be eligible for Clearing if they:

• Apply after 30 June (late applications go straight into Clearing).
• Don’t receive any offers from universities.
• Don’t meet the grades for their firm or insurance choice and aren’t accepted by either.

There’s no need to worry if your child goes through Clearing. Each year, thousands of students secure a university place this way, including on popular courses like Psychology and Law.  

If your child is eligible for Clearing, they'll see an option to 'add a Clearing choice' in the 'next steps' section when they sign into UCAS Hub.

• Research early – vacancies are listed in our Clearing search from 2 July. Your child can browse courses and start shortlisting options before results day.

• Contact universities – once they've found a course they like, they should contact the university to discuss availability and whether they're likely to be considered. They can do this before results day.

• On results day – universities usually confirm decisions once results are available. If your child narrowly missed the grades required, they may still be offered a place.

  UCAS Hub will show whether they've been automatically entered into Clearing – if so, the 'add Clearing choice' option will appear.

  Once in Clearing, they'll need to call universities directly. They can only add a university as their Clearing choice with that university's permission.

How Clearing choices work

• Your child can only hold one Clearing choice at a time.
• They can't add another unless they've been unsuccessful with the first.
• If they want to apply elsewhere after adding a choice, they'll need to ask that university to release their place before they can add a new one.

Before results day

From 2 July, your child can use our Clearing course search to explore what's available. Encourage them to note any courses and universities that interest them, and help them decide which ones to contact first on results day.
They may even find a course through Clearing that they prefer to their original choices. If so, they can use the 'decline my place' button on results day and take up that option — but they should call the university and get a verbal offer before declining any existing offers.

Here are some practical ways to help results day go as smoothly as possible — whatever grades your child receives.

Do

Get familiar with the key dates and steps. A bit of background reading before the day means you'll know what to expect and can focus on supporting your child rather than scrambling for information.

Stay calm. Results day is stressful for everyone. If things don't go to plan, try to stay composed and constructive — especially if your child is surrounded by friends celebrating different outcomes.

Be reassuring. If your child hasn't got the grades they hoped for, remind them that there are good options available. Clearing is one route, but it's not the only one.

Talk through alternatives. Clearing is the most obvious next step, but it's not always the right one for everyone. Other options include:

• A gap year — travel, work experience, or volunteering can strengthen a future application
• Retaking exams — though it's worth knowing that some universities set higher grade requirements for resit applicants

Above all, remember that your child's preferences matter most when it comes to their next step.

Don't

Make phone calls on their behalf. If your child is going through Clearing, universities will want to speak to them directly. If they're feeling upset or overwhelmed, it's better to wait until they're ready than to step in for them.

Pressure them into a quick decision. Speed can help in Clearing, but this is one of the biggest decisions your child has made so far. Give them space to think it through properly. There may be other options they could choose.

In addition – be prepared

Have transport and time available. Try to keep results day and the days that follow free. Many universities hold Clearing open days shortly after results day, and attending in person can help your child feel confident about their choice. Make sure you're available to drive or help with travel arrangements.