This CPD webinar, hosted by Go Higher West Yorkshire and delivered by Caroline Priestley (University of Bradford), offered timely guidance on UCAS Clearing, which opens on 5 July 2025. It aimed to equip educators, advisors, and parents/carers with the information needed to support learners effectively during this period.

Key topics covered:

• What is Clearing?
  A refresher on the process, eligibility criteria, and how students can use it to secure a place in higher education.

• Important dates and stages
  Including UCAS Extra, Clearing opening (5 July), and final deadlines (20 October).

• Results Day: What to expect
  Insights into what happens behind the scenes at universities, including call centre operations and student support.

• Student preparation
  Tips on researching options, making confident calls, and preparing for potential interviews — especially for professional courses like nursing, midwifery, and radiography.

• Plan B options
  Including foundation years, Access to HE courses, gap years, resits, and course switches.

• Overachievers and deferrals
  Advice on what to do if students exceed their expected grades or wish to defer entry.

• Direct applications
  Clarification that many local colleges offering HE courses may not use UCAS — students can often apply directly.

• Support available
  Resources from Go Higher West Yorkshire, UCAS, and universities to assist all applicants, including those without a UCAS ID.

• Go Higher resources shared:

  • Clearing guides across all 13 West Yorkshire HE providers

  • Clearing blogs and student experiences

  • Podcast episodes for learners preferring audio formats

This session emphasised collaboration between HE providers, schools, and families to ensure learners feel informed, confident, and supported when making decisions about higher education through Clearing.

Please access the materials and resources for this session within the ‘materials’ tab above.

To start this webinar please click on the course content below.