CONTENTS

1. I got better results than expected – what now?

2. I got worse results than expected – what now?

3. What is Clearing?

4. What are Clearing matches?

5. How can I find a university that suits me?

6. Don’t rush into your decision

I got better results than expected – what now?

If you get better results than your predicted grades, you might want to do one of two things. You can stick to your original plan as nothing automatically changes if your UCAS score is higher. 

But there may have been courses you dismissed in your original application because of a higher entry requirement, or some other reason. You could choose to explore these options again through Clearing.

Is it worth trying for a higher-ranked university?

The answer to this depends on what you consider to be important. Your university experience will be based on many things like location, accommodation, course modules, and placement options. You will probably have done some research on these factors already and may have found a university that ticks most or all of your boxes.

A higher-ranked university doesn’t automatically mean it will be better for you. Ask yourself what extra things you’d gain from a higher-ranked university before being tempted to make a switch.

I got worse results than expected – what now?

Exams don’t always go according to plan. Try to stay positive and be proactive. Our top tips for managing results day stress can help, along with some ideas on various scenarios below.

You’ve just missed your predicted grades or firm offer

If you’ve just missed your predicted grades and your Conditional Firm (CF) choice, it’s worth giving the university a call. It may not change anything – but perhaps a place is now available because someone decided not to take their offer up. Or the uni may be able to offer you an alternative, similar course, for example via joint honours or with a foundation year. If you don’t ask, you won’t know.

Your grades are much lower than expected

Stay positive! You have options. You could find an alternative course or university via Clearing. Or, you might consider resitting your exams or taking a gap year.

If you believe there may have been an error with your results, you might even want to appeal. 

Learn more about how to request a review of your results in our guide.

What is Clearing?

Clearing is a way of matching students with universities that still have unallocated course places available. It’s like a second chance or second round. Clearing 2026 starts on 2 July and closes 19 October. Students who haven't met the entry requirements for their chosen courses, or haven't got an offer from a UK university, are automatically entered into Clearing.

Clearing is simpler than it might sound, but it’s important to understand how it works. Our FAQs about Clearing are a good starting point.

What are Clearing matches?

UCAS Clearing Plus is where UCAS Clearing matches you with courses that it thinks might suit you. These are based on the choices you originally applied for, coupled with your qualifications and grades. Only courses still available in Clearing are included. If you're eligible, from 2 July on your UCAS Hub, a button will appear called “see matches”. This may be helpful if you want to find a similar course, less so if you've changed your mind and plan to study another subject.

The Complete University Guide also offers Clearing matches. Our Uniselect and Clearing Concierge services are similar to UCAS, except you can tailor the subject you are searching for, along with your qualifications and grades. The results also give you an indication of how likely you are to be offered a place. Find out more and register for this now.

How can I find a university that suits me?

If you feel you’re yet to find a university that suits you, our Uniselect tool might take the headache out of the research. Uniselect allows you to create your own personal lists of universities that might suit you based on your answers to a few simple questions. You can save as many shortlists as you like based on different criteria. You can use your shortlists as a starting point if you do decide to go through Clearing. Then you can use our league tables and university profiles to discover more about your shortlisted universities. 

Don’t rush into your decision

Whether you’ve done better or worse than you’d hoped in your exams, don’t be tempted to make impulsive decisions. Weigh up your options and gather information to help you make a more informed choice. It’s also worth taking some time to seek support and guidance from people you trust; talking things through can help clarify what is important to you.

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