Clearing

Clearing FAQs

What is Clearing?
Clearing is the last opportunity for those applicants not holding a higher education place to be considered by institutions who still have course vancancies. Clearing is primarily used by applicants who have applied after the 30th June or by applicants who haven't achieved the grades required by the institutions they are holding conditional offers with.

Am I eligible?

You are eligible to use the clearing service if:

You are currently in the UCAS scheme and have not withdrawn
You are not holding offers from another institution (you must request that your current institution release you into clearing before you can accept a place in another institution)
You have not met the conditions of your offer
You have declined all your offers

UCAS will send all eligible applicants a 'clearing passport' which is needed to accept a course through clearing.

Will I get my first choice of unversity?

If you have met the conditions of your offer then your place at your chosen University is safe. If you have achieved fewer points than you were expecting don't panic - you may still have been accepted at your first choice. If you don't get a place on the course of your choice you should be able to find another suitable course through clearing.

Preparing for Clearing

If you think you may not have done as well as you hoped it is never too early to start thinking about alternative courses and institutions. Speak to teachers and career advisors and research any subject areas you may now be interested in.

View our courses in clearing list

Results Day

If you've got the results you were looking for - Congratulations! Your first choice University will be in touch soon to confirm your place.

If you haven't met the conditions of your first choice call them anyway, as they may still have given you a place. It not, UCAS will automatically send you your Clearing Passport so that you can take up another courses during clearing.

Call the BCUC Clearing Hotline on 0800 0565 660 to see if we've got the right course for you.

How do I find out what courses are still available?

You can search for course vacancy listings on the internet, in newspapers and over the telephone. Some useful contact details are below:

The free BCUC Clearing Hotline 0800 0565 660
The UCAS website
The Independent and The Independent on Sunday Newspapers

Make a list of all of the courses you are interested in and make sure that you note down your clearing number or your original UCAS application number.

Accepting a place in Clearing

If a University would like to make you an offer they will do so over the phone and you will be asked to send them your Clearing Passport. Don't send your Clearing Passport until you are sure that this is the right course for you.

At BCUC we will follow up our verbal offers with an offer letter explaining what you need to do to take up your offer. You will also be given information on our Clearing Open Days where you will be able to bring in your Clearing Passport personally and have a look around BCUC.

When you receive your Clearing Passport you will go firm with us and UCAS will send you a confirmation letter.

I haven't applied through UCAS, can I still apply?

Applicants that have not applied for a University place at all through UCAS can still be offered a verbal place over the phone or in person. At BCUC our Admissions Department will send you a direct application form and when returned you will be firm with BCUC.