How does Ucas Clearing work? Where to find university courses on A-level results day 2023 and how to apply
A-level students will receive their results later this week, ending an anxious wait to find out how their fared in this summer’s exams.
Students have been cautioned that this year’s results will mark a return to a more typical state of affairs, signalling a departure from the previous years of turmoil brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
Ofqual, the exams watchdog for England, has said that it will impose tougher grade boundaries this year after 45 per cent of all A-level grades were either an A or an A* in 2021, up from 33 per cent in 2019.
If you did not get the grades to attend your preferred university or college, do not worry, you still have plenty of options. They may still let you in if you narrowly missed your grades.
There is also Ucas Clearing, which gives you the option of choosing another course at another institution. Most universities offer places through Clearing – only Oxford and Cambridge decline to – so you should have a wide range of choices.
When is A-level results day?
A-level results day is on Thursday 17 August.
Pupils can go in to their schools or colleges to collect their grades in person, though you should check with your institution or teachers to confirm when to arrive, as times will vary.
You can also receive your results via email or post. Emails will normally be sent out around 8am.
Students can also log into Ucas Track on results day to find out whether their specific university applications have been successful.
Ucas Track doesn’t show you the exact A-level grades you received, which students can only receive from their school or college.
However, by confirming whether you have been accepted at your university of choice, it can often give a strong indication of your precise grades.
The website typically opens between 8am and 8.30am on results day, after being frozen in the days leading up to it.
To access Ucas Track you will need your personal ID and password which was used when applying.
Ucas advises that if your offer hasn’t been changed to “unconditional” when you log in to Track, then wait until you’ve received your grades before calling them or the university.
What is clearing?
Clearing is essentially a late application round for students. It is the perfect opportunity for anybody who missed out on their first-choice spot, while also giving universities the chance to fill spaces they still have left on their courses.
The 2023 clearing process has been open since Wednesday 5 July and will close on 17 October.
Who is eligible for clearing?
You are eligible for clearing if:
- you are applying to university after 30 June;
- you either didn’t receive or accept any offers;
- you didn’t meet the conditions of your offers;
- you have chosen to decline your firm place using the “decline my place” button in Ucas Track;
- you have paid the multiple choice application fee of £25.
How do I apply for clearing?
You can search for an apply to clearing courses on the Ucas website here.
To apply, you will need to have your Ucas number, your clearing number, and all personal details to hand. You can get your clearing number from Ucas Track.
Track will make it clear that you are in clearing with a message stating “You are now in clearing”, or “clearing has started”.
Before you add a clearing choice in your application, you need to call the university and give them your clearing number.
Try to get informal offers over the phone.
Once you have permission from a university and have decided on your clearing course, click “Add clearing choice’” and fill in the course details on the Ucas website.
This counts as you definitely accepting the offer, so if they confirm, it will show as an acceptance on your “Choices” page in your application.
You can only add one choice at a time, but if the university/college doesn’t confirm your place, you’ll be able to add another.
Keep checking clearing regularly, as universities will not make all their places available at once.
Which clearing course should I choose?
It’s important not to be panicked into making a decision, think carefully about where and what you want to study – you will be there for the next few years.
Eligible candidates cannot add a clearing course choice on Track until 2pm on A-level results day, so there’s no need to rush into a hasty decision.
Try making a checklist – what are the qualities you are looking for in both a course and a university?
Take a look around the campus of a university you are interested in – if you have the time, it’s the best way to see what a university is like, and most will be happy to meet you and show you around. Alternatively, see if they have a virtual tour or a virtual open day.
Consider different subjects – you don’t have to stick with your original idea. You could also look at joint honours courses, so you can study a mix of subjects.
Also make sure to check the course details. How is it structured each year? What modules make up each year? What are the entry requirements?
What is clearing plus?
Ucas introduced a new tool in 2020 called Clearing Plus, designed to make it easier to find your perfect course.
It gives university courses a ranking score based on how relevant they are to a particular student, displaying the best matched courses at the top of a bespoke list.
According to Ucas: “We look at your original choices you applied for, combined with your qualifications and grades.
“Universities and colleges have already told us what courses they’d like to make available in Clearing Plus (no, not all courses are included in your matches), and the entry requirements for them. Then, we analyse what students in clearing went on to study in previous years.”
While students are also urged to search for course themselves before making a decision, and expressing an interest in a course does not guarantee a place, it is hoped that Clearing Plus can help candidates to cut through the thousands of options on offer.
