Clearing: a fantastic route into HE and key signposting information
The exam season is over, phew! Now we wait for results days with bated breath, hoping that all the hard work learners have put into their post-16 qualifications will pay off.
If they’ve applied for Higher Education (HE) through UCAS, we hope they can take up an offer at a HE provider that works for them. Many will accept one of the five courses they have chosen through UCAS but, for some, clearing will be the route to an offer in HE that works for them.
What is clearing?
To quote the UCAS website ‘clearing is how unis and colleges fill places they still have on their courses – over 30,000 courses in fact.’ This year, applicants can apply through the UCAS clearing system between 5 July and 30 October. They need to have already made an UCAS application to HE courses and may not have received offers, not accepted any offers, are not accepting their ‘firm’ offer, or did not meet the conditions of offers. There is lots more information about the process is on the UCAS website. Alternatively clearing is also available through direct application to some university centres.
Clearing collated information
Before clearing each academic year, Go Higher West Yorkshire (GWHY) publishes the clearing process of our 13 members. This assists those who are applying in the West Yorkshire Region to help signpost applicants to the correct information. The e-resource will be available on our website at the start of July.
Benefits of clearing
Here are just a few examples of when clearing can benefit learners:
- When learners change their mind about what they would like to study. Learners select their HE choices as early as January of Year 13 but by summertime all sorts could have changed. Clearing gives that flexibility.
- Learners may have received less UCAS tariff points than expected to meet their original UCAS choices. As such, they will be using clearing as a plan B.
- Learners may have had a change in circumstance and may want to study at a different provider or in a different location
It is a myth that clearing is a second-best option. There are fantastic courses available in clearing for those who want them; the system is set up to support applicants and HE providers alike.
Top tips for clearing applicants
If you are advising applicants, these top tips can help them:
- Be organised – do your research before clearing opens on 5 July. This will help inform you of your options and put your mind at ease.
- Know your courses and how to apply – understand the different entry requirements and contents of the courses you are interested in, and who you need to contact/how to apply for them.
- On the day be calm and collected. Remember our colleagues at HE providers are there to help you! They want to help you find the best fit course for you.
- Notepads at the ready! Get your notepads and pens and note what you need to do after speaking to colleagues on the phone.
GHWY CPD sessions
GHWY is hosting two free online CPD sessions with Higher and Further Education sector partners for teachers, advisers and parents/carers to offer support applicants during clearing:
- Understanding the UCAS Clearing Process (24 June) – which will expand on the points and resources in this blog.
- Access to HE and Foundation Year Courses (3 July) – learn more about what they are, how to apply for them, and what their benefits are.
Both webinars will also be available to watch on catch-up a week after they have taken place.
Jenny Scannell, GHWY Project Manager and Officer, and Caroline Priestley, Senior Outreach and Recruitment Officer, University of Bradford
