UCAS Clearing 2026: How It Works & How to Get a University Place

Q: How many universities can I call in Clearing?

You can call as many universities as you like. However, you can only hold one Clearing choice in UCAS Hub at a time. If a university does not confirm your place, you can then add another choice.

Results day is coming, and if you’re even slightly worried about not getting the grades you need — this is the guide you want to read before the panic sets in.

Here’s the truth most people don’t tell you: Clearing isn’t a backup plan, a downgrade, or a sign that something’s gone wrong. Around 74,000 students secured a place through Clearing in 2024, and the number was even higher in 2025. Plenty of them ended up at strong universities, on courses they’re genuinely happy with — including Russell Group institutions.

So whether you’re already nervous about your grades, applying late, or just want a back-up plan ready, this guide explains exactly how Clearing works in 2026, the dates that matter, and how to give yourself the best shot at a place.

What’s on this page?

What Is UCAS Clearing?
Clearing 2026: Key Dates You Need to Know
Who Can Use Clearing?
How Does Clearing Actually Work?
How to Prepare Before Results Day
What to Do on Results Day
How to Make a Clearing Phone Call
Can International Students Use Clearing?
Common Clearing Myths
How NZ Associates Can Help
Frequently Asked Questions

What Is UCAS Clearing?

Let’s start simple. Clearing is the system UCAS runs to match students who don’t have a university place with universities that still have vacancies on their courses.

Universities list the courses where they’ve still got spaces, and students who need a place apply directly. That’s really all it is — a matching system. More than 50,000 students find their places through Clearing every year.

It exists for all sorts of reasons. Maybe your grades didn’t quite hit your firm offer. Maybe you applied late. Maybe you actually did better than expected and want to aim higher. Maybe you simply changed your mind. Whatever the reason, Clearing is a legitimate, well-trodden route — not a last resort.

Clearing 2026: Key Dates You Need to Know

Timing is everything with Clearing, so let’s get the dates straight.

Date	What Happens
2 July 2026	Clearing opens — you can start researching vacancies
4 August 2026	Scottish (SQA) results day
13 August 2026	A-level results day — the busy phase begins
19 October 2026	Clearing closes — final deadline

For the 2026 cycle, the official Clearing period runs from 2 July to 19 October. Early Clearing opens on 2 July, letting you start applying before A-level results day on 13 August.

But here’s the part that matters most: the genuinely busy window is the 24 to 48 hours after A-level results day. In 2026, that’s Thursday 13 August and the days right after. The better courses fill fast — so the early birds genuinely do better here.

Who Can Use Clearing?

You’re eligible for Clearing if you fall into any of these groups:

You didn’t receive any offers from your five original UCAS choices
You declined all the offers you received
You missed the conditions of both your firm and insurance offers
You applied after the 30 June deadline (you’re automatically entered into Clearing)
You did better than expected and want to “self-release” to aim for a higher-ranked university

If you apply after 6pm on 30 June, you’re automatically entered into Clearing. But you can’t actually secure a place until you have your exam results.

One important note on self-release: UCAS Adjustment no longer exists — it was removed in 2021. What replaced it is self-release, where you decline your confirmed place to aim higher. But this is irreversible. Your original place is gone the moment you decline it. Only do this if you’ve already spoken to your target university and they’ve given you an informal offer.

How Does Clearing Actually Work?

The mechanics are more straightforward than the stress around it suggests.

Once you become eligible, UCAS Hub automatically adds a Clearing button to your account, and the live vacancy list updates throughout the day. You’ll also be given a Clearing number — keep this handy, because you’ll need it for every call you make.

From there, the process goes like this:

Browse vacancies in the UCAS search tool — these are live and update in real time
Call the universities you’re interested in (you have to do this yourself)
Get verbal permission from the university to add their course
Add the Clearing choice in your UCAS Hub
Wait for confirmation — the university confirms your place in your application

You can only hold one Clearing choice at a time. Only add a choice once a university has given you permission — and once you add it, it counts as you accepting that offer.

How to Prepare Before Results Day

This is where you can genuinely get ahead. The students who do well in Clearing aren’t lucky — they’re prepared.

The UCAS Clearing search tool lists vacancies in real time from 2 July, and you don’t need to be in Clearing to browse it. So start now. Build a shortlist of courses and universities you’d be happy with, even if you don’t end up needing them.

Here’s your pre-results-day checklist:

Research courses early — browse the search tool from July
Build a shortlist of 5–10 realistic back-up options
Save phone numbers for the universities you’d call
Have your details ready — UCAS Personal ID, predicted grades, course codes
Be available on results day morning — don’t be on a beach with no signal

If you research courses in July and early August, you’ll know exactly which ones to target — turning Clearing from a frantic scramble into a calm, focused process.

What to Do on Results Day

Results day itself moves fast. Here’s the timeline.

At 8:00am, results are released. Check them via your school, the results portal, or UCAS Hub. The Hub will show whether you’ve been confirmed at your firm choice, or whether you’re in Clearing.

If you’re in Clearing:

Take a breath — this is normal and manageable
Find your Clearing number in UCAS Hub
Pull up your shortlist
Start calling — early, and yourself

Don’t panic-call the first university on your list. Take ten minutes to gather everything you need first. A calm, prepared call beats a frantic one every time.

How to Make a Clearing Phone Call

The phone call is the bit that scares people most — but it’s really just a short, focused conversation.

Clearing calls are short, often five to ten minutes. Admissions teams handle hundreds of calls per hour on results day, so the conversation goes faster if you have your details ready.

Before you dial, have these in front of you:

Your UCAS Personal ID (the 10-digit number on Hub)
Your Clearing number
Your full grades, including every subject
The course you’re calling about

Clearing calls are essentially mini interviews. The admissions officer is trying to work out whether you’d be a good fit for the course. Expect short, direct questions and prepare brief, honest answers.

One crucial rule: always phone the university yourself. You’re unlikely to be offered a place if you can’t speak for yourself — unless you have a disability that prevents this, of course. And if you can’t get through, try, try again, or send an email.

If you’re calling about a different subject from your original application, be ready to explain why — universities can see your original personal statement during Clearing, so a switch in subject will need a quick, honest explanation.

Can International Students Use Clearing?

Yes — and the process is largely the same.

International students can use Clearing just like UK students. The process is broadly the same, although some universities have additional checks for visa-eligible students. If your route is via a non-UK country, allow extra time for visa processing.

If you’re an international student navigating UK admissions and funding, our guide on whether international students can get student finance is worth reading alongside this.

Common Clearing Myths

Let’s clear up a few things people get wrong.

“Only bad courses are in Clearing.” Not true. Every year, thousands of high-quality courses appear in Clearing — don’t fall for the idea that only unpopular courses are available. Plenty of strong universities take part.

“Clearing means you’ve failed.” Completely false. Students use Clearing for all kinds of reasons, including doing better than expected and wanting a higher-ranked place.

“It’s too late by results day.” Clearing runs until 19 October — but the best courses do go quickly, so acting early matters.

“You can’t get into a good university.” Tens of thousands of students secure places through Clearing every year, including many who end up at Russell Group universities.

How NZ Associates Can Help

Results day is genuinely stressful — and trying to make big decisions in a panic, with phone lines jammed and the clock ticking, isn’t anyone’s idea of fun. Having someone in your corner who knows the system makes a real difference.

At NZ Associates, we help students navigate Clearing calmly — building a shortlist, preparing for the calls, understanding funding for their new choice, and making sure a last-minute decision is still the right decision. Our guidance is completely free.

If you’re not sure whether you’ll even need university funding sorted in time, our full Student Finance Guide walks through the essentials. And if you’d rather talk it through with someone, book a free consultation — we’re here through results day and beyond. Missed your deadline? Here’s what to do

Frequently Asked Questions

When does Clearing open in 2026?

Clearing opens on 2 July 2026 and closes on 19 October 2026. You can browse vacancies from 2 July, but you can’t secure a place until you have your exam results. The busiest period is right after A-level results day on 13 August 2026.

When is A-level results day 2026?

A-level results day is Thursday 13 August 2026. Results are released at 8:00am. Scottish (SQA) results day is earlier, on 4 August 2026.

Do I have to use Clearing if I miss my grades?

Not necessarily. Sometimes your firm or insurance university will still accept you even if you’ve just missed the conditions. Check UCAS Hub first — if both offers are unsuccessful, you’ll automatically become eligible for Clearing.

Can I use Clearing if I got better grades than expected?

Yes, through a process called self-release. You decline your confirmed place to aim for a higher-ranked university. But be careful — this is irreversible, so only do it if your target university has already given you an informal offer.

How many universities can I call in Clearing?

You can call as many as you like. However, you can only hold one Clearing choice in UCAS Hub at a time. If a university doesn’t confirm your place, you can then add another.

Are good universities really available in Clearing?

Yes. Thousands of high-quality courses appear in Clearing every year, including at Russell Group universities. Don’t assume only unpopular courses are available — the vacancy list updates in real time, so it’s worth checking.

Can international students use Clearing?

Yes. International students can use Clearing the same way UK students do. Some universities have extra checks for visa-eligible students, so allow extra time for visa processing if you’re applying from outside the UK.

What do I need before making a Clearing call?

Have your UCAS Personal ID, your Clearing number, your full grades (including every subject), and the course details ready. Calls are short — often five to ten minutes — so being prepared makes a big difference.

Final Thought

Clearing has a reputation it doesn’t deserve. It’s not a failure, a downgrade, or a desperate scramble — it’s a genuine, well-used route into good universities, taken by tens of thousands of students every single year.

The students who come out of it happiest are the ones who prepared: they had a shortlist, knew what they wanted to say, called early, and stayed calm. Results day is stressful enough — having a plan turns it from panic into a process.

If you’d like someone in your corner before, during, or after results day, book a free consultation with NZ Associates. We’ll help you find the right place — calmly.

Written by George Turner — UK Student Finance and University Admissions Specialist with over a decade of experience guiding students through UCAS, SFE, SAAS, SFW, and SFNI applications.

Reviewed by a Senior Student Finance Consultant and UK Higher Education Specialist with hands-on experience in undergraduate and postgraduate admissions.