Didn’t get the grades you needed? You can still apply to university through UCAS Clearing – we run you through it step-by-step below.

What is UCAS Clearing?

UCAS Clearing is for anyone who would like to apply for a university or college but isn’t holding any offers.

It is open from July 5 (the day after the UCAS Extra deadline) until September, and you can apply as soon as you know you aren’t holding any offers.

Remember: A Level results day is August 15.

How does UCAS Clearing work?

You can apply for any university or college with places still available – you can check which ones these are using the search tool on the UCAS website.

If you are eligible for UCAS Clearing 2019 your clearing number will be in Track. You will be eligible for Clearing if:

  • You applied after the June 30 deadline
  • You aren’t holding any offers (because you didn’t receive any or you declined them)
  • You didn’t meet the conditions of your offers

If you originally only applied for one course for the reduced fee of £13, you will have to pay an additional £11 to enable you to apply for multiple courses.

If you no longer what to go to your firm choice university you need to call them and ask them to release you into Clearing. You cannot swap your firm and insurance choice, if you want to go to your insurance choice university you need to do into Clearing – but check with your insurance choice first that they can accept you in Clearing.

How to apply for UCAS Clearing

If you already have your exam results but you have no offers, you can use Clearing from July.

If you had conditional offers but your exam results didn’t go to plan, you can use Clearing from 3pm on results day (August 15).

If you’re applying for the first time after June 30, you still need to register with UCAS and make an application – completing the application as normal, including your personal statement – but you can’t add course choices.

You can contact any universities with vacancies that you are interested in, their phone number will be on the UCAS website.

You will need to have your personal ID number and clearing number to hand so they can access your application.

They may treat the phone call like a mini interview so be prepared to answer questions such as ‘Why are you suitable for this course?’ and ‘What will you bring to our university?’

You should also ask them questions such as ‘Is accommodation still available?’ and ‘Do you need to see my exam certificates?’

If after speaking to you any universities are willing to consider your application, you will need to enter the institution and course details into Track. They can then assess your application and decide whether to offer you a place. They will then tell UCAS their decision.

You may receive a verbal offer on the phone but you still need to add your choice into Track.

Do not enter a choice into Clearing without speaking to the university or college first as this may slow down your application.

If you are accepted UCAS will update your application and send you an email letting you know something has changed and you should check Track.

If you don’t get a place you can apply for another course with vacancies.

How to apply for the School of Journalism

You can apply for our BA (Hons) Journalism degree via UCAS now. If you have any questions you can email us on [email protected] or call us on 0203 026 3781.

Here are the details you’ll need:

Course code: MUJO

Institution code: P63

Campus: Manchester (M) or London (L)

You can also apply for deferred entry at this point, if you’re looking to study with us next year.

The School of Journalism hold regular open evenings and journalism masterclasses. For more information, click here.

Have you got any on advice on applying through UCAS Clearing? Let us know in the comments.

Click here to learn more about UCAS Extra 2019 and UCAS Adjustment 2019.

Featured image courtesy of Government of Prince Edward Island via Flickr, with thanks